Nutrition & Wellness – Biology 50

Shelby’s Rules: Alcohol + Vomiting = 911

April 15, 2009

I learned about Shelby Allen’s story listening to a local newscast following the season finale of E.R. The executive Producer of E.R. John Wells was inspired to base the series finale on the death of his 17-year-old niece, Shelby Lyn Allen. This storyline included a group of young girls doing shots at a party. One of them was still in a coma as the show and the season ended.

In real life Shelby Allen didn’t survive the drinking game.

Shelby’s Rules.com website was set up to tell her story:

On December 20th 2008 17 year old Shelby Lyn Allen died at a friend’s home of alcohol poisoning. You would have liked her, she was fun, lively, silly and wise beyond her years, but what she didn’t know killed her.

She and her friends were ignorant of the fact that approximately 8 ounces of hard liquor (the size of a small juice glass) consumed in under 2 hours can be lethal.

Shelby’s Rules Foundation

The Shelby’s Rules – Alcohol Poisoning Education Foundation was founded by her mother Debbie to raise awareness about Alcohol Poisoning:

I founded the Shelby Lyn Allen Alcohol Poisoning Education Fund after my 17 year-old daughter, an 11th grade student at Foothill High School in Palo Cedro, California died of acute alcohol poisoning. On the first night of Christmas break 2008, my daughter and her friends began drinking at a nearby home. It is unclear what happened, but we are told Shelby became violently ill and was semi-conscious when her friends left her propped up over the toilet. When she was discovered the next morning, she could not be revived.

I have vowed to do whatever I can to educate teens, young adults and parents to the dangers of alcohol poisoning. I want all of them to know that immediate medical intervention can save lives. It is my deepest desire that no other families or friends will have to endure the pain of loss that we experience every day of our lives.

Shelby’s Rules
The rules that the foundation has come up with

• “Secrets Kill”

• Alcohol + Vomiting = 911

They are also working on getting out the word about the Warning signs of Alcohol Poisoning:

Warning signs of alcohol poisoning:

* Vomiting
* Person cannot be roused
* Semi-Concious or Unconcious

If you see someone with one or more of these symptoms, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
Waiting can result in brain damage, coma or death.

Don’t be afraid to call, every second counts.

It is a very sad legacy to have left behind for one’s parents. I talked to my daughters (9 and 7) about Shelby’s story and told them about the possible deadly effects of drinking too much Alcohol this morning. I hope it registered with them.

Image: Nico Van Der Merwe. Shot Glass 02.  Royalty Free Use.

Entry Filed under: Bio 50, Health News, Media and Nutrition, Wellness. Tags: Alcohol Poisoning, Alcohol Toxicity, Shelby Allen.