Hi, I’m Ally and I’m Emma. And we are the substance use navigators at Tahoe Forest Hospital. We help connect patients to care for addiction.
Today, we’re going to give a quick demonstration on Naloxone, also known as NARCAN®. Naloxone is used to reverse opioid overdoses. Some common opioids are prescription medications like oxycodone and morphine, as well as elicit substances like heroin and fentanyl.
Opioids can also be contaminants in other substances like meth, cocaine, and fake pills.
First, let’s go over some signs of an opioid overdose. So, we’re going to look to see if the person is not breathing or is breathing really slowly. Then, we’re going to try to wake them by shouting their name and shaking them.
Manny, Manny, wake up. We’re going to look for pinpoint pupils, pale skin, and blue or gray lips and fingernails in a limp body. You don’t need to play detective and find out what drug they were taking or if they are overdosing, as an overdose can happen very quickly and NARCAN® does not harm a person or get them high if they are not overdosing.
Now we will demonstrate how to use NARCAN®. So first, you’re going to take the Naloxone out of the box. There’s two in each box, and you’re going to fold it, peel it open.
Then, you’re going to lay the person flat on their back, or if you can’t do that, they’ll tilt their head back. Next, you’ll take it out, and you’ll put the plunger in until your fingers touch their nose. Then, you’re going to plunge it in one time.
It does not need to be primed. Next, you’re going to call 911 because NARCAN® is short acting, and the person can overdose again. If the person is not breathing, give them rescue breaths, one breath every 5 seconds, and 911 dispatch can walk you through this.
If the person is still unresponsive after 2 to 3 minutes, you can give them a second dose of NARCAN®. You’re going to put the person on their side in a recovery position in case that they throw up. And then you’re going to offer non-judgmental support when the person wakes up and stay with them until medical help arrives.
Thanks for watching this demonstration today. Keep NARCAN® on your person, in your bag, and in your first aid kit. You never know when a friend, family member, or community member may need it.
It’s life-saving, and you’re protected by the Good Samaritan law. You can get NARCAN® for free at the Tahoe Forest Pharmacy or the ER registration desk.
