Alcohol and BAC Facts...it matters...

Abbreviations I never wanted to learn...

COD-Cause of death
ME-Medical Examiner
BAC-Blood Alcohol Content

Earlier today, while waiting outside the theater for my daughters, I talked to the ME who is in Arizona where Michael died.  The COD is blunt force trauma to the head.  Chronic and acute alcoholism was a factor in his death.  His BAC was above .20

BAC EFFECTS ON FEELING AND BEHAVIOR

 .01 - .03 There is a mild lift in feeling.  You have some loss of judgment.  (1 drink within 15 minutes… BAC .03%)

 .04 - .06 Most People feel high and must decide whether to continue drinking.  You may get louder and have some loss of small muscle control, like focusing your eyes. (2 drinks within ½ hour… BAC .06%)

 .08 - .09 Your sight and hearing are worse.   It’s harder to detect danger.  You have less sense of balance.  (3 drinks within 1 hour… BAC .09%)

 .10 - .12 Many people claim they’re not affected anymore, as if they could drink themselves sober.  You are definitely not thinking straight.  (4 drinks within 2 hours… BAC .12%)

 .13 - .15 You have far less muscle control than normal.  People feel happy even though they’re stumbling and acting foolishly.  Risk of an automobile crash increases to 25 times the normal rate (5-7 drinks within 3 hours… BAC .15%)

 .20 - .25 You’re confused.  You usually need help doing things, even standing up. Those who drive are 50 to 100 times more likely to crash.  The average alcohol-related highway death occurs at this level. (8-12 drinks within 4 hours…  BAC .20%

 .30 Almost nothing gets through the senses.  An extremely life threatening BAC level.

 .40 Your condition ranges from conscious to comatose.  There is a chance of death from a ‘shut down’ of breathing.
Michael fell down and hit his head.  This killed him.  Had he not been so intoxicated, I think that he would have been able to get help...call 911...call someone!