Naloxone Training: An Easy Way to Save a Life
Many years ago, I worked in construction. I had a young coworker who was about 20 years old. Nice guy; great to work with. One weekend he went to a party and — like any 20 year old might — he partook in party substances, probably like he had many times before. He was surrounded by friends, in a secure environment.
He didn’t survive the night. He was found to be suffering from opioid poisoning and by the time anyone realized it, he was too far gone.
What is opioid poisoning?
Opioid poisoning is considered a public health crisis in Canada, seeing over 40,000 opioid-related deaths between 2016 - 2023. In fact, the first half of 2023 alone saw 22 deaths related to opioid toxicity. Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario have seen the majority of these deaths, and a vast number of them are related to fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid that’s 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
With these numbers, it’s hard to deny the tangible impact that can be made on someone’s life if we know how to identify opioid poisoning and act quickly by administering naloxone.
How does naloxone stop opioid poisoning?
According to the Centre for Diseases Control (CDC), Naloxone “quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose.”
The underscore the importance of this lifesaving skill, the Canadian Red Cross has put opioid awareness and naloxone training at the forefront of their course updates, ensuring that all Canadian Red Cross Emergency or Standard First Aid courses, you’ll learn to identify signs of opioid poisoning and take steps to counteract its effects of opioid poisoning by administering this lifesaving drug.
Is it hard to tell if someone has opioid poisoning?
Opioid poisoning can look similar to falling asleep, which is why it can be difficult to identify. In many cases, vigilance can be crucial to prevention.
That said, there are some telltale signs: constricted pupils, rigid muscles, and unresponsiveness. It can lead to respiratory arrest (meaning that they stop breathing) which causes their complexion to change as their blood loses oxygen.
Even if these signs are missing, if you come across someone that you can’t wake up, it’s best to assume opioids might be involved. Act quickly, and call 911 and administer naloxone.
Where can I find a naloxone kit?
You can get a Naloxone kit for free from any local pharmacy, as well as many non-profit community partners near you. If you need a demonstration, they’ll even show you how to use it.
How do I give someone naloxone?
Naloxone is incredibly easy to administer. Most naloxone applicators (at least in Ontario at the time of publication) are a nasal spray.
To administer the drug:
Put on the protective gloves that come with the kit
Insert the applicator up the nose, then
Push the trigger.
That’s it. That could save someone.
While there are more considerations and more steps that could be taken depending on those considerations, those two things — calling 911 and administering naloxone can absolutely mean the difference between life and death for someone.
Want to learn more?
Attend a First Aid course in person. As a Red Cross training partner, Ally First Aid offers WSIB-approved courses that include opioid harm reduction and naloxone training in every course.
