If you, or someone in your family, has just been diagnosed with epilepsy, one of the most important things to know is how to respond safely when a seizure occurs.
First aid for seizures is simple. It consists of keeping the person safe until the seizure ends naturally after a minute or two. But people have many misconceptions about what should be done. As many as two out of three will do at least one thing that is wrong, and even potentially harmful. The following information is to help you respond correctly and to give you information to help others do the right thing when someone has a seizure.
What to Do for a Generalized Convulsive Seizure
The most well know type of seizure is a convulsion, where the person suddenly loses consciousness, falls, stiffens, and then begins to jerk as muscles tense and relax, tense, and relax. The jerking movements then slow and stop, and consciousness slowly returns. This type of seizure is called a generalized tonic clonic or grand mal seizure.
Here's what you will want people to do if you have a convulsive seizure:
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Protect you from nearby hazards
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Don't restrain your movements
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Loosen anything tight around your neck
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Don't put anything in your mouth
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Protect your head from injury
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Don't try to give you anything to drink
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Turn you on one side so you won't choke
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Keep track of how long the seizure lasts
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Be a friend and helpful when you wake up
What About Calling 911?
Most seizures do not require a visit to the emergency room. Most end after a couple of minutes and people are awake and aware again soon after, although they may be tired and want to rest.
Tell people if you don't want them to call 911 every time. But tell them they should always call 911 if:
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The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
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Another seizure starts up after the first
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You are injured in any way
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You have other medical conditions, such as diabetes or pregnancy
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Your doctor wants you to be checked after every seizure
What to Do for a Complex Partial Seizure
A complex partial seizure causes people to lose touch with their surroundings and, for a few minutes, to be quite unaware of where they are or what they're doing.
Here's what you will want to do if you have this type of seizure:
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Stay calm
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Don't shout at or grab hold of you
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Block your way to any hazard, like a hot stove, busy street, or stairs
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Speak softly to you and be reassuring
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Explain to others what is happening
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Offer help as the seizure ends and you slowly become fully aware again
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