Sevens SOS

Sevens SOS

The annual Sevens weekend is one of the most exciting and anticipated three days of the year. But we mustn’t ignore the ugly side of it. Like it or not, it exists and debauchery is always a magnet for trouble, danger and emergency situations. It’s inevitable so it’s best to know how to deal with these things. It’s heavy stuff, but better safe than sorry

 

 

Alcohol, Dreaded Hangovers & Emergencies

Drink responsibly - moderation is key! Everyone has different limits and tolerances and it usually takes several embarrassing public displays of projectile chundering to figure out your own and accept it! 

 

 

Tips to Avoid Drinking Fails:

  • Don’t drink on an empty stomach
  • Stay hydrated
  • Space the drinks out
  • Stick with drinks that you know
  • Don’t combine different types of alcohol (it’s a recipe for a puke-cident!)
  • Never accept a drink from stranger or leave your drink unattended
  • When buying your drink, watch the bartender’s every move - like a hawk!
  • Try to avoid drinking games
  • Try to keep track of how many drinks you’ve consumed
  • Make sure you’re always with a close friend who you trust
  • Don’t drink if you think you may be pregnant

 

 

Quick hangover fixes (for Saturday and Sunday):

  • Drink A LOT of water - H2O is your best friend!
  • Have a sports drink (Gatorade, Powerade or Lucozade) to replace lost electrolytes
  • Coffee or caffeinated drinks works for some, but may cause headaches in others
  • Hair of the dog = bad idea - but it’s the Sevens, so… your call!
  • Eat carbs and have a greasy fry-up
  • Take a panadol, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen (but NOT a tylenol) for your pounding headache
  • Ingest a multivitamin or a Redoxon / Alka-Seltzer
  • If you can get off your ass, go for a walk or a run
  • Hangover pills - they are available at Mannings, Watsons or local pharmacies (it’s probably best to do this BEFORE the Sevens kicks off...)
  • Have a good night’s sleep

 

 

How to care for a friend who’s dangerously drunk:

  • Recognise the signs: multiple vomiting, slurred speech, inability to stand up or sit up or walk straight, stumbling, being loud, getting aggressive, bloodshot eyes, hot and cold flashes, flushed face, inability to talk or make sense
  • Check for signs of alcohol poisoning: passed out, blue lips and fingertips, dry lips and mouth from dehydration, rapid heartbeat / pulse, clammy or cold hands
  • Put your foot down and don’t let them drink anymore
  • Force feed them water

 

Important Info:

Assess whether they need medical attention. If so, get help immediately from the sick bay / first aid tent / 999 emergency services / St. John Ambulance paramedics / SOS Kely Support (or get someone else to; don’t leave them alone).

 

If your friend is paralytic, make them lie on their side (either is fine) so they don’t choke on their vomit and tilt their chin up and open their mouth so their epiglottis (air passage) is totally open and unblocked. Cross their arms and legs to stabilise this position.

 

This goes for drug intoxication and overdoses too. Try your best not to panic and just do whatever you can to solve the situation pronto.
 

Note: even if you are underage, the police by law CANNOT arrest anyone for being intoxicated on alcohol OR drugs (although they can for possession of drugs.) The worst that can happen is they’ll get a beating from their parents! 

 

 

Other Smart Tips:

  • Wear sunscreen
  • Download and set up a phone tracking app (like Find My Phone) in case you lose it
  • Wear flat, closed-toe shoes
  • Decide on a meeting point with your friends when you first enter the stadium
  • Bring as little as possible with you - don’t bring your wallet and all your cards; instead put your HKID card / ATM card / health insurance card in a separate place to your cash so they don’t fall out.
  • If you have a knack for losing things, attach a chain to your phone and wear it around your neck, leave your house key in a secret place outside your home.
  • Girls, make sure your bag has a zipper and a cross-body purse is probably your best bet.

 

Lastly, GeoExpat wishes you all a fantastic weekend at the 2015 Sevens. Be safe, everyone!

 

 

Opening photo credit: Flickr / Roger Price