Stone cold sober

  • Published
  • By 341st Missile Wing safety office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  How often do you think about the real choices you have when it comes to alcohol? It's much more than just "should I or shouldn't I drink?" Choosing to use or not to use alcohol is a personal choice for which each Airman is responsible. At any age, we are responsible for the consequences of our decisions. Before you decide whether or not to include alcohol in your activity, consider all the implications.

Do you consider alcohol necessary to have a good time? Many people think alcohol is a complement to social events, good food and conversation with friends or family. Even if this is what you think, you must be prepared with a plan to prevent a mishap. What does that mean? It means not only having the plan, but knowing it is your responsibility to follow through with the plan. Use your designated driver; sleep over at your friend's house; call a taxi or simply don't drink.

Regardless of your activity, it's important to know what effects alcohol can have on you. Keeping in mind that there are variations among individuals, below is a guideline of what happens at different Blood Alcohol Concentration levels.

0.02-0.03 BAC: No loss of coordination, slight euphoria and loss of shyness. Depressant effects are not apparent. Mildly relaxed and maybe a little lightheaded.

0.04-0.06 BAC: Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, sensation of warmth and euphoria. Some minor impairment of reasoning and memory and lowering of caution. Behavior may become exaggerated and emotions intensified (good emotions are better; bad emotions are worse).

0.07-0.09 BAC: Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time and hearing. Euphoria. Judgment and self-control are reduced, and caution, reason and memory are impaired, .08 is legally impaired and it is illegal to drive at this level. You will probably believe that you are functioning better than you really are.

0.10-0.125 BAC: Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be impaired. Euphoria.

0.13-0.15 BAC: Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety and restlessness) is beginning to appear. Judgment and perception are severely impaired.

0.16-0.19 BAC: Dysphoria predominates and nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk."

0.20 BAC: Felling dazed, confused or otherwise disoriented. May need help to stand or walk. If you injure yourself you may not feel the pain. Some people experience nausea and vomiting at this level. The gag reflex is impaired and you can choke if you do vomit. Blackouts are likely at this level so you may not remember what has happened.

0.25 BAC: All mental, physical and sensory functions are severely impaired. Increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falls or other accidents.

0.30 BAC: You have little comprehension of where you are. You may pass out suddenly and be difficult to awaken.

0.35 BAC: Coma is possible. This is the level of surgical anesthesia.

0.40 BAC and up: Onset of coma and possible death due to respiratory arrest.

Everyone should enjoy the summer season responsibly. Your family, friends, co-workers and the Air Force need you to come back safe and sound.