If the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, or you are unsure — call your local emergency number NOW, before anything else.
Seizures
A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal brain activity that can cause shaking, collapse, staring, or confusion. Fast first aid helps prevent injury and gets emergency help quickly if the seizure is serious or does not stop.
Call emergency services immediately if…
- The seizure lasts 5 minutes or longer, or seizures happen one after another without recovery
- The person is not waking up, is having trouble breathing, or does not start breathing normally after the seizure
- It is the person's first known seizure, or you do not know why it happened
- The person was injured, is pregnant, has diabetes, or the seizure happened in water
- The person is a baby or young child with a first seizure, or you are worried something is seriously wrong
- 1
Call emergency help
Call the local emergency number right away if any danger signs are present. If not, stay with the person and be ready to call if the seizure lasts 5 minutes or breathing does not return to normal.
- 2
Keep them safe
Move hard or sharp objects away from the person. If you can do so safely, cushion their head with something soft and loosen tight clothing around the neck.
- 3
Do not hold them down
Let the seizure happen without trying to stop the movements. Restraining them can cause injuries to you or the person.
- 4
Do not put anything in the mouth
Do not place food, drink, fingers, or any object in their mouth. A person having a seizure cannot swallow their tongue, and putting something in the mouth can break teeth or block breathing.
- 5
Time the seizure
Note when the seizure starts and how long it lasts. This information is important for emergency responders and healthcare workers.
- 6
Check breathing after shaking stops
When the jerking ends, look for normal breathing. If the person is not breathing normally, start CPR if you know how and follow emergency call handler instructions.
- 7
Roll onto the side
If the person is breathing normally but not fully awake, gently turn them onto their side. This helps keep the airway open and lets fluid drain from the mouth.
- 8
Stay until fully awake
Speak calmly and reassure them as they recover. Many people are confused, tired, or embarrassed after a seizure, so stay with them until they are fully alert or help arrives.
Do NOT
- Do not hold the person down or try to stop the shaking
- Do not put anything in the mouth
- Do not give food, drink, or medicine until the person is fully awake
- Do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger
- Do not leave them alone until they are breathing normally and awake
Afterwards
Once the person is awake, check for injuries and let them rest in a safe place. Explain briefly what happened and encourage medical review if this was a first seizure, the cause is unknown, or they were injured.
Sources
- [1]Seizures: First aid — Mayo Clinic
- [2]Epilepsy and Seizures First Aid — American Red Cross
- [3]Epilepsy — World Health Organization
Printed from HealthPulse.cc — first-aid education only, not a substitute for training or professional emergency care. Always call your local emergency number first.
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