Drinking on college campuses -- especially binge drinking -- can pose some serious student safety risks, including alcohol poisoning. If you make the choice to drink on a college campus, make sure you drink smart.
Here are some important safety tips that you need to keep in mind.
The Buddy System
Drinking alone is a bad idea. When going out drinking, always drink with at least one person who you know you can trust -- and preferably with more than one person. If possible, one person in your group should drink less or not at all (and if a vehicle is involved, you definitely need a sober designated driver). When you're with a group, it's important to stay with the group, and to prevent others from leaving with a stranger. The buddy is a good way to prevent sexual violence, theft, drunk driving, and other risky behaviors.
Keep an Eye on Your Drink
Date rape drugs are not an urban myth! There are a number of drugs that have sedative effects, and when these drugs are slipped into an unsuspecting person's drink, the drinker can become the victim of sexual assault (and sometimes robbery). Creepy and weird as this sounds, it's a real danger--and the solution is to keep an eye on your drink. In crowded parties or bars, it's a good idea to drink bottles of alcohol as opposed to cups, as it's easy to place your finger over the top. Never accept a drink from a stranger, and never ask someone to hold your drink.
Drink in a Safe Environment
Drinking is much less risky if you do it in an environment you know is safe, like at a friend's house, as opposed to in an environment you don't know that's filled with strangers. Use common sense. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation where there's alcohol, get out. Always trust your instincts. Remember, it's much better to overreact than to get yourself into a potentially dangerous situation.
Know Your Limit
So what's better -- drinking 3 drinks and getting tipsy and silly, or drinking 13 drinks and getting completely sick? Use common sense -- and know your limit when it comes to how much you can drink before you can no longer control your actions and your physical reactions.
Beware of Alcohol Poisoning
Binge drinking can be potentially fatal. It's important to know the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, and to call 911 or get help if you see anyone with the following symptoms:
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Low body temperature
- Seizures
- Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Confusing or stupor
- Passing out
(Source: Mayo Clinic)
Drink with Caution
In most cases, students drink without endangering their safety. However, this is not always the case, and you have to be careful and use common sense. If you're going to drink on a college campus, take the time to take safety precautions.
For more helpful Campus Life tips, check out these Money Saving Tips for College Students and Ten Study Skills Articles Every College Student Should Read.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
