The big three signs of an opioid overdose, such as one from fentanyl, are slow to no breathing, unconsciousness, and pinpoint pupils. Here's how you can check for those three:
For slow to no breathing, place your hand on the person's chest to feel for the rise and fall of their breath. You can also place your hand under their nose or over their mouth and feel for warm breath.
To check for unconsciousness, start by shouting the person's name and asking if they can hear you. If they don't respond verbally, provide painful stimuli by giving them a trap pinch, pinching the corner between their neck and shoulder.
The third sign, pinpoint pupils, is the telltale sign of an opioid overdose. To check for this, use a flashlight like the one on your smartphone. Lift the person's eyelid and shine the flashlight into their eye for three to five seconds. When you move the flashlight away, in normal people, you'll see their pupils dilate. Someone with a fentanyl overdose will have pinpoint pupils that remain tiny.
It's critical to call 911 when someone is overdosed to ensure they get the medical attention they need, potentially saving their life. Many states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who call 911 in such situations from being arrested for drug possession.
Narcan is an opioid blocker that reverses overdoses by displacing opioids from receptors. If you ever need to administer Narcan, call 911 first. Take it out of the package, insert the plunger into the person's nostril, and press the pink button. Wait about two minutes for a response. If the person is unconscious and not breathing, Narcan should prompt them to breathe again. Repeat every two minutes until they respond. If there's no response after three doses, start giving rescue breaths.
Remember, anyone receiving Narcan should go to the hospital because opioids can outlast Narcan. Narcan and naloxone are now available over the counter, and everyone should be trained to recognize and respond to an overdose.
If you're a person dependent on opioids, using a fentanyl test strip can help determine if there's fentanyl or its analogs in the substance you're about to take. Cocaine has been increasingly contaminated, so it's essential to test it as well.
Test strips can be used on any drug, but ensure you prepare the sample correctly. There's a risk of false negatives due to various factors, so it's not foolproof. Inconsistent dosing is a problem, so always carry Narcan, avoid using drugs alone, and test your drugs. While it's not perfect, it's the bare minimum to keep yourself alive.
