As promised, Kathy Fawcett from Attacking the Page is back with us today for Part 2 of her Plan to Party Safe tips. Kathy has recently advanced to Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Isshinryu Karate and co-owns The Tenchi Isshinryu Karate Dojo, located in Lebanon, NJ, with her husband Scott. She is also a certified women’s self-defense instructor with the FLAG (Fight Like a Girl) Program. Kathy writes paranormal romances and loves kick butt heroes and heroines. When not writing novels or teaching karate, you can find her blogging about martial arts and writing action at Attacking the Page. Welcome, Kathy! -- AP
This post is a continuation from my safety tips of the week. When going out to a party, club or bar, be sure you make a plan before you leave home. If your plan changes, have a back up plan in mind.
PLAN A: Know how much you're going to drink before going out. If you are going through your drinks faster than you anticipated, try
PLAN B: Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks. No one needs to know your second and fourth vodka and tonics are only tonics. Or that you filled up your beer bottle with water.
PLAN A: Drink only from bottles or cans you have opened or have watched the bartender pour. Don't accept drinks that are in punch bowls or other open containers. Never accept drinks from strangers or people you don’t absolutely trust with your life. If you didn't see what went into your glass, assume anything can be in it. Your nonalcoholic drink could be spiked with alcohol. Your alcoholic drink could be laced with drugs. And consider this, even if it isn't drugged, the guy buying you a drink may think you now owe him something in return.
PLAN B: Get help immediately from someone you trust with your life if...
• Your drink tastes bitter, is unusually salty, has a strange color, odor or has foam or residue on the surface. Makers of Rohypnol (“roofies”) changed the formula so when dissolved in liquid, the pill produces a blueish-green dye. Clear drinks turn blue, beer turns green and dark drinks turn murky. BE AWARE however, that many date rape drugs are colorless, odorless, tasteless and can dissolve quickly in liquid.
• You begin to feel usually drunk for the amount of alcohol you've consumed.
• You feel dizzy, nauseous, drowsy, "out of it," or hallucinate.
• Your girlfriend acts in the above manner. (Remember you've already made a buddy plan to watch out for each other!)
You or she may have been drugged and may only be alert for a moment longer.
PLAN A: Don't leave your drink unattended. If you leave to go to the restroom, the dance floor or to make a phone call, then
PLAN B: throw out that drink when you return. You can always buy yourself another one.
Party Smart and Stay Safe!
More great safe partying advice, Kathy! Thanks so much for sharing. Anyone have something to share or add? If you post a comment this week, you're entered in our drawing for a free book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP
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