What should I do in an emergency?
In the United States, call 911 for immediate medical danger. Severe chest pain, trouble breathing, seizures, collapse, or unresponsiveness after possible meth use require urgent help. Do not wait for this website to explain every symptom. Outside the U.S., use your local emergency number. Source: MedlinePlus.
Which symptoms are warning signs?
Methamphetamine poisoning can involve a dangerously high temperature, chest pain, breathing problems, seizures, severe agitation, or loss of consciousness. Get medical help immediately for serious symptoms; do not assume the person only needs sleep or water. MedlinePlus describes the risks and need for urgent care.
What information should I give responders?
Give your location, what is happening, and whether the person is responsive and breathing. If known, tell responders what was taken, when, and approximately how much, including other substances or medicines. Do not delay calling while trying to collect missing information. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Source: MedlinePlus.
What can I prepare ahead of time?
The manual calls this an “escape route.” On the website, that means a practical plan for reducing confusion and getting out of a dangerous situation. Keep a paper copy if your phone may be unavailable.
- Location: address, apartment number, and an entrance responders can find.
- Trusted contact: someone you have asked in advance and who knows how you want them to help.
- Code word: a normal-sounding phrase that means “I need help” if you and your trusted person both understand what action it should trigger.
- Useful medical information: current medicines, allergies, and health conditions to share with responders.
- Communication: a charged phone, charger or power bank, and a backup way to communicate if practical.
- Device SOS: if your phone or smartwatch has emergency features, set them up and learn how they work before you need them.
- Transport: money, transit information, or another plan that does not require driving while impaired or dangerously tired.
- Exit: know how you are leaving a place and where you can go.
- Check-in: agree on a time and what the other person should do if they cannot reach you.
Finish two sentences: “If I need help, I can tell someone where I am by _____.” “If I need to leave, my first realistic option is _____.” Share location only with someone you trust.
What about location sharing and emergency features?
Location sharing can be useful, but it also reveals sensitive information. Share only with people you trust. Emergency/SOS behavior varies by device, carrier, region, and settings, so do not assume a watch or phone will automatically contact 911 or a trusted person unless you have checked how your device is configured.
What if I need support without an immediate medical emergency?
The support guide distinguishes emotional crisis support, treatment referrals, and routine healthcare. The red-lights guide can help you decide when another home workaround is not enough. A helpline or directory does not replace emergency medical services when someone is in immediate danger.
Source
Checked September 27, 2026. The planning checklist is a harm-reduction planning exercise from this project; the medical warning signs are sourced below.