Opioids Questions about oxycodone overdoses

[Sebastior]

Well i've got some questions about oxycodone/heroin overdose, so here goes:

1: a) How long does it take to become brain damaged and then severely brain damaged after one stops breathing?
b) How long does it take for one to actually die after one has stopped breathing?
2: From the time one overdoses, when is it too late to resurrect someone?
3: If a friend overdoses in your presence, after you've called the ambulance, what do you do while waiting?
Rub your knuckles on the chest, between the pecs/breasts (depending on gender)?
Do you then proceed to clear the airways if needed and begin CPR?
Is there something else you should do? How effective are the methods i just mentioned?
4: What symptoms should you look for if you think someone has overdosed?
I know shallow breathing and blue tinted lips and/or nails, what else?

 

[Jabberwocky]

1. Around 1-15 minutes.
B. depends on what you call death. Respiratory collapse can occur instantly or over the period of 10 minutes or so. As no oxygen is going to the brain (as you can't breathe, and your heart will eventually stop pumping blood) it's the same time frame. This is not a pleasant way to go as you're actively aware of what's happening but can't do anything to stop it.

2. By resurrect what do you mean? If their heart has stopped? It's never too late really (maybe after an hour or two - in which case they would definitely be brain dead) I'd say around 5 minutes a shot of ephedrine and nalaxone would save their life. In these situations time is of the absolute essence. The faster you do it, the less likely damage to the brain and respiratory system will occur.

3. If the person is still conscious literally slap them silly so they stay awake. Force them to drink red bull, coffee, anything. I think amphetamine can be used but I don't recommend it. It has saved my life though - but I'd advise not to do that. Rub your knuckles up and down their breast bone firmly and hard - so they react to the pain. It can arouse someone. If they are unresponsive it's CPR time. And don't stop.

4. Yes those are the symptoms - and super pin point pupils. Gasping, heavy snoring or nodding combined with either is too. If you suspect any of these get to the ER immediately.

Note I am not a medical doctor. This is my best advise.

 

[Jrhguitarist1]

He is right on, also if its to the point of blackout but he still breathing place them on thier side in a fetal position it's call a rescue position. Theyr not really 100percent sure why rescue pos works so well, but if it does do it.
The most important thing of being a witness to od or od'ing yourself is most time it isn't a instant thing od happens over the coarse of mins sometimes even up to an hour. Depends on how long the drug takes to make your lungs slow then fail. Don't ever do to big of a dose and then think your in the clear it'll sneak up on you. I know I'm a two time loser in that regard.

 

[Jrhguitarist1]

Please be carefull. It's better to split that 100 shot up into two 50's if your worried and hell you can enjoy whatever twice as long.

 

[Jabberwocky]

A lot of problems assosiated with respiratory depression with opiates is the build up of fluids in the lungs due to inadequate oxygen being provided. A common sign of this is loud, deep snoring that is unusual and uncommon in said person. If you witness this, immediate rouse the person (if possible) and get him to stand up and take deep breaths in and out. If he cannot, its time to head to hospital. This is a common sign of overdose that many miss - loud snoring.

 

[Sebastior]

But say the person snores loudly normally, is there a way to tell the difference? Is it like a loud gurgling type snoring?
And you said that you're aware of what's going on when you've overdosed, are you sure about this? 'Cause i've read multiple times where people talk about their OD experiences and they said that they started nodding feeling real good, then they pretty much fell asleep and woke up in the hospital or their home not really realising they were real close to dying.
But see, say someone who's opiate naive and either has no respect for drugs or doesn't know anything about oxycodone, takes 280mg instant release oxycodone, what would happen to them then? How long would they have to call an ambulance if they're alone? Would they start nodding real quickly or would they start throwing up and stuff first?