Seizure First Aid
Above anything else, if you see a person having a seizure you should remain calm. Getting excited will not help you, nor will it help the person having a seizure. Otherwise, there are only a few things to remember:
- Check for medical identification, such as a necklace or bracelet. If none is present, and no one can affirm that the person has a seizure disorder, call for medical attention.
- For tonic clonic seizures: loosen constrictive clothing such as neckties or scarves, and cushion the person's head with a pillow, blanket, jacket, towel, or any other soft object. Turn the person on one side to allow for excessive salivation to drain sufficiently, and for the tongue to remain clear of the person's airway. (Note: a person CANNOT swallow his/her tongue; please do NOT put anything in the person's mouth). Time the seizure, and if the seizure goes beyond five minutes, consciousness does not return soon afterward, or if further seizures follow, call for medical attention. The person may need to rest after the seizure. Do not allow food or drink until full consciousness has returned.
- For complex partial seizures: do not yell or shout at the person having the seizure, nor should you expect verbal commands to be obeyed. Stay with the person, removing harmful object out of the way, gently guiding him/her away from hazards if the person becomes ambulatory. Do not restrain; the person may flail or lash out if you are perceived as a threat. Provide reassurance and support after the seizure.
- If the person is pregnant, has diabetes, has the seizure in water, or has obviously sustained an injury, call for medical attention at once.
