Tania Gama urging someone else to do a good deed with a Neknomination
The danger of social media craze “Neknomination” has become more relevant as a Durban man succumbed to alcohol poising as this risky trend wares on.
The craze, originating in Australia, has spread the world over, propagated by social networking sites.
While its popularity grew in South Africa, the game and the associated binge drinking claimed the lives of two men in the United Kingdom.
At the weekend RescueCare Paramedics treated a Durban man for symptoms reflective of alcohol poisoning.
According to friends who logged the emergency call, the 23-year-old patient had been recording his own neknomination and consumed a large quantity of alcohol.
Paramedics treated the patient at the scene and then transported him to a Durban hospital for further treatment and care.
While his condition stabilised and he will no doubt make a full recovery, the situation could we have been different if he had been unsupervised or if no one had called for help.
As prescribed by a strict code of medical ethics, his identity cannot and will not be disclosed by RescueCare.
This release serves as a warning to all about the danger of Neknominations and also promotes public awareness about the responsible consumption of alcohol.
RescueCare Operations Director Garrith Jamieson said that in the past, hundreds of teens have been hospitalised.
Binge drinking used to mean drinking heavily over several days. Now, however, the term refers to the heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time.
Alcohol poisoning can be a fatal result of binge drinking. Alcohol affects the central nervous system, slowing breathing and heart rate. It also interferes with the gag reflex, which increases the risk of choking on vomit, if the drinker passes out from excess drinking. Blood alcohol levels can continue to rise even if a person passes out.
If a person who has been drinking heavily is confused, vomits, has a seizure, has pale skin, or becomes unconscious, it may be a sign of alcohol poisoning.
Someone suffering from alcohol poisoning will not be aware enough to help themselves. When you are with a group of people drinking, it is important to look out for signs of alcohol poisoning and know what to do when someone has had too much to drink.
Following the advice below could save someone’s life.
What you should do
If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, dial 0860 737 911 and ask for an ambulance. While you are waiting:
· try to keep them sitting up and awake
· give them water if they can drink it
· if they have passed out, lie them on their side in the recovery position and check they are breathing properly
· keep them warm
· stay with them and monitor their symptoms
Issued by RescueCare