What to do if you suspect that someone is having an opioid overdose?
Is the person high or having an overdose? Check for responsiveness
Try calling their name Try doing Sternal Rub
Overdose (unresponsive)
Unresponsiveness to stimulants such
High (Person is responsive)
as you yelling their name
Might be out of it but will respond to outside stimulus
Loss of consciousness
like loud noises, light shake or sternal rub
Vomits
Muscles might be slack and droopy
Breathing is slow, erratic or not
Nodding in and out
breathing at all
Body is limp Slurred Speech
Fingernails and lips are blue
Skin is cold / clammy
Heartbeat is slow, erratic or none
Choking sounds or snore-like
gurgling noise
Pupils are tiny Continue to monitor signs of overdose & make sure
Call 9-1-1
the person is awake & okay
Call 9-1-1 if unsure
If breathing on their own & responsive
If not breathing on their own/
Continue to monitor signs Perform CPR [30 compression: 2 breaths] X 5 (~ 2mins) unresponsive
of overdose & wait for
EMS
Administer Naloxone #1
1) Divide thigh into 3 equal parts; intramuscular injection into the middle third of upper thigh.
2) Works in 1-5 minutes and wears off within 30-60mins after Naloxone administration (it is important that you have called 9-1-1)
Evaluate: Check for breathing after 1-5 mins of administering Naloxone
Not responsive/breathing If the person becomes responsive/breathing on their
own and is awake after Naloxone,
a. They might be disoriented,
Perform CPR [30 compression: 2 breaths] X 5 (~ 2mins)
agitated and angry and want to
use drugs again – Try to stop
them and explain to them what
happened until EMS arrives.
Administer 2nd dose of Naloxone b. Put them in the recovery position
to help keep airway open and
prevent vomiting and choking
c. Wait for EMS
Evaluate: Check for breathing after 1-5 mins of administering Naloxone
Not responsive/breathing
Perform CPR [30 compression: 2 breaths] X 5 (~ 2mins)
If not breathing on their own/ unresponsive Continue CPR (30:2)
until EMS arrives
Administer 3rd dose of Naloxone
Prepared by Sage Plus Clinical Pharmacy| www.sageplus.ca|t:587-480-0178| e:
[email protected] Copyrighted 2017. Naloxone Kit Review
