DrugSafe

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Opioids

6 STEPS TO SAVE A LIFE

How to respond
to opioid poisoning
with a naloxone kit

STEP

1

Look for signs of opioid poisoning

  • Slow or no breathing
  • Unresponsive to voice or pain (can't wake them up)
  • Pale face
  • Blue lips or nails
  • Gurgling or snoring sounds
  • Choking or vomiting
  • Cold and damp skin
  • Narrow (tiny) pupils
  • Stiff body or seizure-like movement

If you see any of these signs, go to Step 2 and call 911 immediately.

STEP

2

Check for response

rub fists on chest
  • Speak loudly
  • Rub fist hard on middle of chest
911
  • If no response, call 911 and go to Step 3

STEP

3

Are they breathing?

Start rescue breathing

  • Tilt head back
  • Lift chin
rescue breathing steps
  • Read placement and use instructions on mask
  • Put mask on mouth
rescue breathing steps
  • Pinch nostrils
  • Blow into mouth every 5 seconds for 2 minutes (about 24 breaths)
  • If still not breathing, go to Step 4

STEP

4

Prepare naloxone

vial
  • Take cap off vial

Naloxone is safe to inject and will have no effect on someone who has not taken opioids.

vial
  • Hold bottle upside down
  • Insert needle into liquid, to the neck of the vial
vial
vial
  • Pull back on plunger
  • Take up all of the liquid (about 1 ml) until vial is empty
  • Gently push out any excess air (small air bubbles are fine) then remove vial from needle

STEP

5

Inject naloxone

rescue breathing
  • Inject needle into thigh (preferred) or shoulder
  • Push the plunger hard until you hear a click

STEP

6

Repeat

rescue breathing
  • Continue Rescue Breathing
  • Repeat steps 3 to 5 until help arrives
  • If they wake up, remain calm and explain that help is on the way

Help & Support

Treatment for opioid dependence

Treatment options, information and resources on opioids are also available to patients, family, community agencies and health care professionals through an AHS Opioid Dependency Program as well as other Opioid Agonist Treatment Clinics in Alberta.

Support is only a call away

If you need help or are concerned with someone else’s substance use, call:

  • Health Link at 811 or
  • 1-866-332-2322 the Addiction Helpline (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

Digital Overdose Response System (DORS)

The Digital Overdose Response System (DORS) is a free, discrete mobile app that can help prevent overdose deaths among people using opioids and other substances while alone. The DORS app can be downloaded from any smart phone’s app store, or through the links available on DORSApp.ca.

Get resources

For Families, Community Groups, Teachers

For Health Professionals

help and support

If you need help or are concerned with someone else’s substance use, call:

Health Link at 811 or
1-866-332-2322 the Addiction Helpline
(available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)