Overdose response — what to do right now

Read this first

Call 911 and stay with them.

Fear of arrest is the most common reason people do not call — and most US states have laws that protect someone who calls for help during an overdose. Protection varies by state and usually depends on calling in good faith and staying at the scene. Whatever the law where you are, calling is the right thing to do.

Call 911 Tap here — then put it on speaker and keep reading

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Say exactly this

"Someone is not breathing. I think it's an overdose. I need an ambulance." Then give the address. Do not hang up.

What to do, in order

  1. Check if they respond

    Shout their name. Rub your knuckles hard on their breastbone. If they don't wake up, keep going.

  2. Give naloxone

    Tilt the head back. Put the nozzle in one nostril until your fingers touch the nose. Press the plunger all the way. That's the whole dose — one nostril, one press.

    If nothing changes in 2–3 minutes, give a second dose in the other nostril. You cannot hurt someone by giving naloxone when they don't need it.

  3. Breathe for them

    Tilt the head back, pinch the nose, and give one breath every five seconds. Follow the circle below.

    Ready

    One breath every five seconds. Watch their chest rise.

  4. Put them on their side

    Once they're breathing on their own, roll them onto their side with the top knee forward and the head tilted back. This stops them choking if they vomit.

    A person lying on their side. The head is tilted back and resting on the lower arm, the upper arm is bent in front of the chest, and the top knee is drawn forward across the body to stop them rolling onto their front.

  5. Stay until help arrives

    Naloxone wears off before the opioid does. They can stop breathing again. Do not leave, and do not let them sleep it off alone.

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