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What to do in an emergency:
You can't predict how a drug will affect you or a friend. So it's important to have some basic information on what to do if you are in a situation that needs prompt medical action.
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IMPORTANT
If your friend has collapsed or
has lost conciousness, the first thing you should do
is call 999 for an ambulance. You will not get into
any trouble and you could save your friend's life.
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If your friend has collapsed, you can still help the situation:
Firstly, stay with your friend and call 999, do not worry about a telling off, as your friends life may be at stake
Your friend may or not be vomiting.
If your friend is vomiting ensure that they are not liable
to choke on their own vomit. You can do this by:-
• turning your friend onto
their side ( make sure they have no sharp objects in their
pockets)
• lift the chin up and forward- this will open their
airway
• keep checking on them to ensure they cannot roll back
on their backs
This is known as the Recovery Position.
However if you think your friend may
have hurt their back - as they may have suffered a severe
fall- be careful not to move them.
Do not use this position if the person has a major injury
such as a back or neck injury. Also if it is a pregnant women
lay her on her left side.
You can still stop them choking by: -
• gently lifting their jaw
with your fingertips- this should open their airway.
• Get help- call 999
Tell the paramedic what you suspect
your friend has taken- it may help with your friend's treatment
and recovery.
Heavy night out:
If your friend has been drinking heavily
and then fallen asleep keep an eye on them. Make sure that
if they do vomit they do not choke on it as they sleep. Again
if you need to put them in the recovery position as described
above.
The Morning After:
If you have had unprotected sex and are concerned that you may have become pregnant, you can take the morning after pill to help reduce the chance of this.
You can take this morning after pill which is also known as the 'Emergency Hormonal Contraception' (EHC), up to 72 hours later.
Obviously the morning after pill should not be thought of as a form of contraception but for EMERGENCY USE ONLY. It is always better to use condoms as they also protect you against sexually transmitted infections- the morning after pill only stops unwanted pregnancies.
There are several pharmacies in Hillingdon
which can give girls up to the age of 16, free morning after pills.
Click here for details of these pharmacies.
Also if you are concerned you may have a sexually transmitted diseases,
then click here for details of sexual health clinics in Hillingdon.
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