St.Patrick’s Day is infamous for the “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” shirts and for drinking alcohol. But what about when over-drinking lands you or your best mate in the ER or worse: in a coffin? Alcohol poisoning should never be brushed off with a “Oh, he/she is just a lightweight.”

“Alcohol poisoning is a serious—and sometimes deadly—consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time,” defined the Mayo Clinic’s website. “Drinking too much too quickly can affect your breathing, heart rate, body temperature and gag reflex and potentially lead to coma or death.”

Other complications include severe dehydration, seizures, hypothermia, brain damage, choking and asphyxiation (stopped breathing).

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include confusion, vomiting, seizures, blue-tinged/pale skin and passing out and can’t be awakened. A person who is unconscious and/or cannot be awakened is at risk of dying and should have immediate medical attention.

What can you do?

Call the police if someone is passed out and cannot be awakened. Do not assume the passed out individual will sleep off alcohol poisoning. Do not leave an unconscious person alone. Someone with alcohol poisoning could choke on his or her own vomit and become unable to breathe.

Drink responsibly. You can avoid an unnecessary trip to the hospital.