St John Ambulance Urges Public to Learn Spiking First Aid

St John Ambulance is urging the public to learn 'spiking first aid' in anticipation of the festive season, where incidents of spiking—administering alcohol or drugs without consent—are expected to rise. A recent poll revealed that 23% of 18 to 43-year-olds believe they have been spiked, with that figure increasing to 41% when including those who thought it was possible. Symptoms of spiking can include drowsiness, confusion, and severe reactions like seizures or loss of consciousness. The organization advises keeping victims hydrated and safe, alerting bar staff and police, and calling an ambulance if someone becomes unresponsive. Dr. Lynn Thomas emphasized the importance of recognizing these symptoms as a critical first step in protecting victims. The charity's campaign aims to equip individuals with knowledge to mitigate the risks associated with such incidents during social outings.