BAC charts should only be used as a very general guideline. It will not determine one’s level of intoxication because other factors such as gender and body composition differences, uses of medication, mood, etc., also play a part in determining a person’s degree of intoxication.
The following is a generalized alcohol affect chart based on a 150-pound person, metabolizing 0.5 ounces of alcohol per hour, who has eaten. Please note that 50% of the persons who attain a blood alcohol level of 0.4 will die!
Blood Alcohol Level
|
Affect on the Body
|
0.02
|
Slight mood changes |
0.06
|
Lowered inhibition, impaired judgment, decreased rational decision-making abilities
|
0.1
|
Legally drunk, deterioration of reaction time and control |
0.15 |
Impaired balance, movement and coordination, difficulty standing, walking, and talking
|
0.2
|
Decreased pain and sensation, erratic emotions
|
0.3
|
Diminished reflexes, semi-conscious |
0.4 |
Loss of consciousness, very limited reflexes
|
0.5
|
Death |
Caution: Death has been documented to occur at levels as low as 0.35. Remember, each person is different.
Also, the absence of symptoms does not guarantee safe or low blood alcohol levels. With regular drinking, a
person develops a tolerance to alcohol that will reduce the outward appearance of high blood alcohol levels.