Could you save a life?

Know the signs

You can't help if you don't know what you're looking at. Someone may be overdosing if:

• •They won't wake up, even when you shake or shout
• •Their breathing is slow, shallow, or has stopped
• •Their lips or fingertips look blue or gray, and their skin is pale and clammy
• •Their pupils are tiny, like pinpoints
• •They're making choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds
• •Their body is limp and can't be woken

Try to wake them

Get loud and get their attention.

• •Shout their name and tap on their shoulder
• •Rub your knuckles hard on the middle of their chest, right on the breastbone

Call 911

Make the call. You will not get in trouble for trying to save a life.

• •Tell them where you are
• •Report what you see. For example, the person isn't breathing or won't wake up
• •Stay on the line and do what the 911 operator tells you

Give Narcan if available

Narcan is a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose. It's safe and easy to use.

• •Put the tip in one nostril
• •Press the plunger all the way in
• •Not sure it's an overdose? Give it anyway. It won't hurt them if it's something else.

Roll them on their side

This keeps them from choking if they get sick while they're unconscious.

• •Turn them gently onto their side
• •Bend their top knee to keep them from rolling over
• •Tilt their head back a little so they can breathe

Stay and watch

Narcan takes about 2 to 3 minutes to work. Don't leave.

• •Keep watching their breathing
• •Still not awake after 3 minutes? Give a second dose in the other nostril
• •If you're trained and they stop breathing, give rescue breaths

You showed up. That's what saves lives.

Reversing an overdose buys time. But it's just the first step. Recovery comes from getting help that lasts.