How to Know Someone is Dizzy, not Drunk

You see a person who is having trouble standing. He's staggering and appears disoriented. You think he must be drunk, but that might not be the case. The poor guy could be having a dizzy spell. Here's how to know the difference.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Have the person sit. Regardless of whether the person is dizzy or drunk, it is safe to assume that he will need to take a seat.
2. Start a conversation with the person and listen closely to her responses. Note whether she is speaking clearly or if her speech is slurred. Determine if her responses are coherent.
3. Lean into the conversation and try to smell the person's breath. If the person has been drinking, you would be able to detect the scent of alcohol.
4. Ask the person outright if he has been drinking or if he just feels dizzy. Again, listen for slurred speech and note the coherence of the response.
5. Offer the dizzy person a drink of water and encourage them to relax and take some deep breaths. See if she needs medical assistance.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek medical assistance if necessary, regardless of whether the person is dizzy or drunk.