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Blood Alcohol Concentration Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is a measure of the percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream. BAC varies by gender and weight.
- For a downloadable card to help you determine your BAC, click here.
Generally, the higher your BAC, the higher your level of impairment. Below is a chart that details how impaired you are likely to be based on your BAC: 0.02 - 0.03 : Few obvious effects; slight intensification of mood. 0.05 - 0.06 : Feeling of warmth, relaxation, mild sedation; exaggeration of emotion and behavior; slight decrease in reaction time and in fine-muscle coordination; impaired judgment about continued drinking. 0.07 - 0.09 : More noticeable speech impairment and disturbance of balance; impaired motor coordination, hearing and vision; feeling of elation or depression; increased confidence; may not recognize impairment. 0.08 : Legal definition of intoxication for people 21 years and older. 0.11 - 0.12 : Coordination and balance becoming difficult; distinct impairment of mental faculties and judgment. 0.14 - 0.15 : Major impairment of mental and physical control; slurred speech, blurred vision and lack of motor skills; needs medical evaluation. 0.20 : Loss of motor control; must have assistance moving about; mental confusion; needs medical assistance. 0.30 : Severe intoxication; minimum conscious control of mind and body; needs hospitalization. 0.30 - 0.60 : This level of alcohol has been measured in people who have died of alcohol intoxication. 0.40 : Unconsciousness; coma; needs hospitalization. *It is important to remember that impairment is dependent on your personal tolerance, or how sensitive you are to alcohol’s effects. The higher your tolerance, the less able you are to tell that you are impaired.* Standard Drink Measures A standard drink is a measure of about what an average individual can metabolize in one hour. It is generally defined as: - 1 12 oz can or bottle of beer
- 1 4-5 oz glass of wine
- ¾ of a wine cooler
- 1 shot of liquor
However, these measures can vary depending on the percentage of alcohol in the beverage.
The following are measures of how many standard drinks are in commonly sold quantities of alcoholic beverages: 1 bottle of wine = 5 standard drinks 1 40 oz beer/malt liquor = 6.4 standard drinks 1 pint (16 oz.) of liquor = 16 standard drinks 1 fifth (25.6 oz) of liquor = 25 standard drinks 1 quart (32 oz.) of liquor = 32 standard drinks 1 pony keg = 102 standard drinks 1 half keg = 165 standard drinks 1 keg = 330 standard drinks Reducing Your Risk While Drinking Be aware that drinking under the age of 21 is always risky drinking. Being arrested for an alcohol-related offense can have long-term legal, financial, and professional repercussions. If you choose to drink, some ways to stay safer while drinking include: - Eat a full meal with protein before drinking
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water
- Consume no more than one alcoholic drink per hour
- Make sure that there is someone with you to watch out for you
- Never leave a drink unattended
- Never drive a car after drinking or get in a car with a driver who has been drinking
First Aid for an Intoxicated Person If someone is intoxicated and needs assistance,
DO: - Speak calmly and try to coax the person to a quiet place
- Protect the person from injury
- Stay with a drunk person who is vomiting
- If the person is laying down, make sure that he/she is on his/her side, and that his/her airway is open; if possible, prop a pillow or something behind him/her on the side
- Comfort and reassure the person
- If the person exhibits any of the warning signs below, call an RA, a sober friend, or the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (919) 962-8100 or directly call 911.
DO NOT: - Be confrontational or aggressive with an angry drunk
- Attempt to reason with a drunk person – an intoxicated person is not making rational judgments
- Leave the person alone to “sleep it off”
Warning signs of alcohol poisoning: - Slow, shallow breathing with less than 8 breaths per minute
- Bluish tinge around the lips or fingertips
- Person will not wake up, despite repeated attempts to waken
- Uncontrollable vomiting and/or vomiting blood
How to get help for a dangerously intoxicated person: If on campus: - Call the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (919) 962-8100
If off campus:
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