Coroner's Finding: Male A, Male B, Male C, Male D - Alcohol Deaths

Male·acute ethanol intoxication or positional asphyxia due to acute alcohol intoxication

Four males aged 50-53 died from acute alcohol intoxication or positional asphyxia secondary to alcohol toxicity after single heavy drinking episodes. All had very high blood alcohol concentrations. The coroner emphasised that alcohol causes respiratory, cerebral and cardiac depression at these levels, and can be fatal especially with aspiration of vomitus or airway obstruction during unconsciousness. Only 12% of Australians are aware of NHMRC safe drinking guidelines (maximum 4 standard drinks per occasion). The coroner recommended public health campaigns to increase awareness of low-risk drinking guidelines and comprehensive strategies to reduce unsafe alcohol consumption.