Setting the scene
Hard to Wake Means Act: emergencies lesson
Real moments. A few choices. Words that work.
Call 911 immediately if someone is hard to wake or breathing strangely, and stay with them. Practice the moment in a short Surefoot lesson.
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You are in a dorm room with your friend Sam after a party. He drank a lot earlier and has been lying on the futon for a while.
You try to wake Sam up to see if he wants to go to bed, but he only mumbles weakly and will not open his eyes. His breathing seems slow and uneven.
What is the safest next step?
- Call 911 immediately and stay by his side.
- Give him a cold shower or some coffee to help him wake up.
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Call 911 immediately and stay by his side.
Difficulty waking and abnormal breathing are signs of a possible alcohol overdose. Do not wait for every symptom to appear, and never assume someone can just sleep it off. Home remedies like coffee or cold showers will not reverse an overdose. Call 911 immediately, tell the dispatcher your location and what you observe, and stay with your friend until medical help arrives.
Your next step
Call 911 immediately if someone is hard to wake or breathing strangely, and stay with them.
Words you can use
“Call 911. They're hard to wake.”
Sources: NIH / NIAAA, NIH / NIAAA
Questions about “Hard to Wake Means Act”
Why should I call 911 immediately if someone is hard to wake up after drinking?
Calling 911 immediately gets medical professionals to your location before an alcohol overdose becomes fatal.
Difficulty waking up and slow or uneven breathing signal that alcohol is overwhelming the central nervous system. Staying by your friend's side after calling for help ensures they are monitored until medical responders arrive.
Sources: NIH / NIAAA, NIH / NIAAA
What should I say to the 911 operator if my friend will not wake up?
Tell the dispatcher your exact location and say, "My friend is hard to wake up and breathing slowly."
Giving direct information about your location and what you observe helps emergency responders arrive quickly with the right equipment. Stay on the line and follow the dispatcher's instructions until help gets to you.
Sources: NIH / NIAAA, NIH / NIAAA
What should I do if my friend only has one or two overdose symptoms?
Call 911 immediately even if your friend only shows one or two warning signs of an alcohol overdose.
You do not need to wait for every symptom to appear before seeking help. Acting quickly at the first sign of abnormal breathing or difficulty waking can save a life.
Sources: NIH / NIAAA, NIH / NIAAA
Why should I avoid giving my friend coffee or a cold shower to wake them up?
You should never use cold showers or coffee because home remedies cannot reverse an alcohol overdose and can cause serious harm.
Only time and emergency medical care can process alcohol out of the body. Trying to walk someone around, shower them, or feed them coffee wastes precious time when medical help is needed.
Sources: NIH / NIAAA, NIH / NIAAA
How can I help my friend after they receive medical care for an alcohol overdose?
Support your friend by staying present with them without judgment after they receive medical care.
Surviving an overdose can be alarming, so listening and offering care helps them process what happened. You can also offer to help them find campus health or wellness resources when they are ready.
Sources: NIH / NIAAA, NIH / NIAAA
Last updated October 12, 2026.