Step 1: Identify Overdose

and Call 911

Opioids suppress the body’s urge to breathe. If someone is not breathing or is struggling to breathe try calling

their name and rubbing your

knuckles on their chest. If they are still unresponsive they may be experiencing an  overdose. Other signs include: blue or pale skin color, small pupils, low blood pressure, slow  heartbeat, slow or shallow breathing, snoring sound, gasping for breath. After identifying an overdose get help as quickly as possible. Call 9-1-1. Make sure to say the person is unresponsive and not breathing or struggling to breath.

Step 3: Give Narcan
Narcan is available as an injection and as a nasal spray. Follow the instructions, making sure you are not going too long without giving rescue breaths. Store Narcan in an easy to reach place in case of emergency. Make sure your friends and family know where it is stored. 

Step 2: Give Rescue Breaths
Giving oxygen can save a life in an overdose.

• Make sure nothing is the person’s mouth blocking their breathing.

• Place one hand on the chin and tilt the head back. With the other hand pinch the nose closed. chest to rise.

• Administer two slow breaths and look for the until the person starts breathing on their own.Continue administering 1 breath every 5 seconds

• Continue this for at least 30 seconds. If the person is still unresponsive, give Narcan.

Step 4: Stay Until Help Arrives
It is important to stay with someone after giving Narcan. Narcan can reverse an overdose, but can also make someone enter withdrawal. After someone is given Narcan, make sure they do
not take any more opioids because they could go
back into overdose after the Narcan wears off.