Many revellers indulge in alcohol during the Carnival season. While the energy is high, the importance of planning ahead must not be overlooked, especially when it comes to getting to and from your destinations safely.
Hence, the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) advises to appoint a designated driver. However, it is a dangerous misconception to assume the designated driver is the person who drank the least, when in fact the driver needs to not have had any alcohol at all.
The role of the designated driver is not only to take passengers back to their place of residence, but also to monitor their condition. This decision can save lives.
When a person appears intoxicated, there is a possibility that they are experiencing alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning occurs when the level of alcohol in the bloodstream becomes too high for the liver to manage. The designated driver needs to recognise the warning signs of severe intoxication. These signs are not simply symptoms of being drunk. They are signs that the body is being poisoned and may need urgent medical care.
According to sources such as WebMD, Mayo Clinic, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism the following are symptoms of alcohol poisoning or severe intoxication.
- Confusion or difficulty responding
- Vomiting, especially while unconscious
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Trouble staying awake or loss of consciousness
- Hallucinations or delusional behaviour
- Poor coordination and slurred speech
- Unresponsive
If someone is showing any of these signs, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Without intervention, alcohol poisoning can result in choking, coma, or even death. Consistent intoxication could lead to liver disease.
Being the sober person in a group may not seem exciting, but it is a role that can save lives. The designated driver is responsible for the safety of everyone in the vehicle. Remember, it is not the person who drank the least but rather the person who did not drink at all. One poor decision can turn a joyful Carnival event into a tragedy.
GFNC. Eat Local: Strengthen Food and Nutrition Security in Grenada.
Will there be riots and murders like the UK Notting Hill Carnival for Caribbean people and if not why not