Know your blood alcohol content (BAC)
Understanding BAC is key to understanding how alcohol affects your body and the serious danger zones of alcohol poisoning. BAC measures the ratio of alcohol in the blood. A BAC of .10 means one part alcohol in 1000 parts of blood.
To calculate your BAC, select the appropriate chart--for males or for females--then find the row closest to your weight. Then select the number of drinks consumed. When the two columns intersect you'll see your approximate BAC level if you drink that number of drinks in one hour.
To calculate your BAC, select the appropriate chart--for males or for females--then find the row closest to your weight. Then select the number of drinks consumed. When the two columns intersect you'll see your approximate BAC level if you drink that number of drinks in one hour.
Males:
Body Weight (lbs) |
1 drink |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
100 |
.043 |
.087 |
.130 |
.174 |
.217 |
.261 |
.304 |
.348 |
.391 |
.435 |
125 |
.034 |
.069 |
.103 |
.139 |
.173 |
.209 |
.242 |
.278 |
.312 |
.346 |
150 |
.029 |
.058 |
.087 |
.116 |
.145 |
.174 |
.203 |
.232 |
.261 |
.290 |
175 |
.025 |
.050 |
.075 |
.100 |
.125 |
.150 |
.175 |
.200 |
.225 |
.250 |
200 |
.022 |
.043 |
.065 |
.087 |
.108 |
.130 |
.152 |
.174 |
.195 |
.217 |
225 |
.019 |
.039 |
.058 |
.078 |
.097 |
.117 |
.136 |
.156 |
.175 |
.198 |
250 |
.017 |
.035 |
.052 |
.070 |
.087 |
.105 |
.122 |
.139 |
.156 |
.173 |
Females:
Body weight (lbs) |
1 drink |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
100 |
.050 |
.101 |
.152 |
.203 |
.253 |
.234 |
.355 |
.406 |
.456 |
.507 |
125 |
.040 |
.080 |
.120 |
.162 |
.202 |
.244 |
.282 |
.324 |
.364 |
.404 |
150 |
.034 |
.068 |
.101 |
.135 |
.169 |
.203 |
.237 |
.271 |
.304 |
.338 |
175 |
.029 |
.058 |
.087 |
.117 |
.146 |
.175 |
.204 |
.233 |
.262 |
.292 |
200 |
.026 |
.050 |
.078 |
.101 |
.126 |
.152 |
.177 |
.203 |
.227 |
.253 |
225 |
.022 |
.045 |
.068 |
.091 |
.113 |
.136 |
.159 |
.182 |
.207 |
.227 |
250 |
.020 |
.041 |
.061 |
.082 |
.010 |
.122 |
.142 |
.162 |
.182 |
.202 |
(Remember, BAC is for # of drinks in 1 hour)
Effects of BAC on Thinking, Feeling, and Behavior
Source: Evans, Glen and Robert O'Brien (1991) The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism.
Note: these charts give you good estimates, but there are many factors involved in a person's reaction to alcohol, including body composition, use of medication or other drugs, and amount of food eaten.
Want your own personalized BAC card? There are two ways - stop by our office in room 12, lower level, of the Health Center or call the Husker Choices peer educators at 472-7440.
Effects of BAC on Thinking, Feeling, and Behavior
Source: Evans, Glen and Robert O'Brien (1991) The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism.
Note: these charts give you good estimates, but there are many factors involved in a person's reaction to alcohol, including body composition, use of medication or other drugs, and amount of food eaten.
Want your own personalized BAC card? There are two ways - stop by our office in room 12, lower level, of the Health Center or call the Husker Choices peer educators at 472-7440.
