Alcohol Emergencies

At Tulane University, the health, safety, and welfare of our students and community are paramount concerns. As such, all Tulane students are expected to proactively alert appropriate officials in the event of any health or safety emergency—specifically including those involving the abuse of alcohol or drugs—even if violations of the Student Code of Conduct may have occurred in connection with such an emergency.

Because the University understands that fear of possible disciplinary actions may unnecessarily deter certain requests for emergency assistance, the University has adopted the following Responsible Action Protocol (RAP) to alleviate such concerns and promote responsible action on the part of students.

In a situation involving an imminent threat or danger to the health or safety of any individual(s), students are generally expected to:

• to contact emergency officials by calling TUPD at 504-865-5911 to report the incident
• to remain with the individual(s) needing emergency treatment and cooperate with emergency officials, so long as it is safe to do so
• to meet with appropriate University officials after the incident and cooperate with any University investigation.

The University will consider the positive impact of taking responsible action in an emergency situation when determining the appropriate response to alleged policy violations by the reporting student or the student experiencing an emergency. This means that through the University conduct system, students will not be charged with violation of Tulane's Alcohol Policy (III.D.7) or use of drugs (III.D.4), and sanctions will not be issued. However, the incident will be documented, and educational, community, and health interventions—as well as contact with a student's emergency contact—may be required. The protocol does not protect repeated, flagrant, or serious violations of the Student Code of Conduct (including physical or sexual assault, violence, hazing, harassment, theft, or vandalism or instances where multiple individuals need medical attention), nor does it preclude or prevent action by police (including officers from the Tulane Police Department or New Orleans Police Department) or other legal authorities.

Student organizations and groups, through their officers and members, are also expected to take responsible action in emergency situations, to incorporate these protocols into their training and risk management plans, and to always comply with them. A group's compliance with these protocols will be considered a mitigating factor when determining the outcome or sanction of an incident that otherwise merits organizational disciplinary action. Additionally, the University will deem the failure of a student group to comply with these protocols to be an especially egregious factor when determining disciplinary actions.

Failure of students or student organizations to take proactive responsible action in an emergency situation where action is clearly warranted, however, will void all protections under this provision, may constitute an aggravating factor for purposes of sanctioning, and may lead to further disciplinary actions.

Alcohol overdose can be fatal. If someone has had too much to drink or hurt themselves while drinking, call for help immediately and stay with the person until help arrives. 

In cases of a potential head injury, even if the person regains consciousness, he or she must be evaluated immediately. 

Use PUBS as a guide to the symptoms of alcohol overdose.

• Puking while passed out
• Unresponsive to stimulation (pinch or shaking)
• Breathing (slow, shallow or no breathing)
• Skin (blue, cold or clammy)

What to Do 

Don't just let them "sleep it off."
Call for help: 911 emergency or 504-865-5911 for Tulane Police

Perform the BACCHUS Maneuver until help arrives.

1. Raise the personʼs left arm above head. Pull right shoulder to roll the person towards you.
2. Gently roll them toward you, guarding their head from hitting the floor. The head should rest in front of the arm, not on it.
3. Tilt the head up to maintain airway. Tuck their nearest hand under the cheek to help maintain head tilt and raise the face off the floor.
4. Stay with them and be prepared to give the emergency medical personnel as much information as possible, including any drugs or medications taken.

What Not to Do 

• Do not hesitate to call 911. The person's life is in danger. Better to be safe than sorry.
• Do not leave the person alone. The person may seem to be okay, but the alcohol ingested may take some time to be absorbed before peak levels are reached in the brain.
• Do not leave the person lying on their back.
• Do not try to give the person anything to eat or drink.
• Do not put the person in a cold shower. The person could fall or the shock could make him/her pass out.