When someone is having a seizure, they may experience uncontrollable muscle spasms with twitching and jerking limbs, changes in behavior, or lack of awareness.If you've never seen a seizure, you could be shocked, confused, scared, or worried.To help a person who is having a seizure, stay calm, help protect them from injury, and stay with them until they are alert again.
Step 1: The person needs to be kept from falling.
When someone has a seizure, they can fall.If they are standing, find a way to keep them from falling.Put your arms around them or catch their arms to hold them upright.If you can, protect their head.If they still have some control of their movements, you may want to guide them to the floor.
Step 2: The person should be on their side.
If the person is lying down, try to get them onto their side with their mouth agape.It helps protect them by letting the saliva and vomit out of the side of their mouth instead of putting it in their throat or windpipe, which could cause them to inhale it.Leaving a seizing person on their back can cause a lot of problems.
Step 3: There are harmful objects to clear away.
Seizures may cause people to hit furniture, walls, or other objects.All objects should be moved as far away from the person as possible.It's important to move sharp objects away from the person.The objects are easier to move than the person.If the person is confused, try to steer them away from dangerous places, like traffic, high areas, or sharp objects.
Step 4: The person's head should be protected.
A seizure may cause the person to hit their head against the floor.If their head is hitting the floor or an object, protect it with a soft pillow, cushion, or jacket.Don't restrain their head or any other part of their body.
Step 5: The time is the duration of the seizure.
If someone near you is having a seizure, try to time it.Seizures last between 60 to 120 seconds.You should call emergency services if you haveSeizures that last longer than that.If you have a watch, use it for a more accurate time.You can count on how long the seizure lasts.
Step 6: Don't place anything in the person's mouth.
If you think placing something in a seizing person's mouth will prevent them from hurting their mouth or teeth, don't.People will not swallow their tongue if they are seizing.The seizing person may break a tooth if they put things in their mouth.You shouldn't put your fingers in their mouth.The person could hurt you.
Step 7: The person should not be held down.
Don't hold the person down during the seizure.Don't try to keep them from moving.This will cause injury.Someone could break a bone or dislocate their shoulder.
Step 8: Medical identification jewelry can be checked for.
Medical identification jewelry can be worn by people who have seizures.Look for a bracelet or necklace on the person's wrist.Medical ID jewelry can be used during an emergency.You can find a medical ID card in their wallet or pockets when you have a chance.
Step 9: Keep calm.
There is no reason to panic because most seizures only last a few minutes.Stay calm and help the person who is seizing.The person seizing may become stressed if you act stressed.Stay calm and talk reassuringly to the person.You should be calm after the seizure.Helping the person remain calm can help with their recovery.
Step 10: If the person has seizures, call the emergency services.
If you know that someone has a history of seizures, you don't need to call emergency services if the seizure lasts for more than a few minutes or if there is something different about it.If a person is having a seizure for the first time, you should call an ambulance.You should check for a medical bracelet if you don't know the person.The underlying reason for the seizure needs to be determined by a medical professional.
Step 11: If a person has seizure activity, call for help.
After a few minutes, most people's seizures are over and they regain consciousness and become aware of their surroundings.If a person has atypical seizure activity, you need to call an ambulance.Abnormal activity can include multiple seizures without regaining consciousness, inability to breathe, and a seizure following a head injury.
Step 12: If the person has a seizure, seek help.
Seizing someone in a dangerous situation can lead to injury or death.If the person is pregnant, has diabetes, or has injured themselves during the seizure, you should call the emergency services.
Step 13: The person should be monitored for injuries.
Wait until the person is calm after a seizure.If the person isn't in that position already, you should turn them on their side.Look over the person's body to make sure no injuries occurred during the seizure.
Step 14: If they have trouble breathing, clear the mouth.
If you notice the person is having trouble breathing, you can use your finger to clear the mouth.The person's mouth may be full of saliva or vomit.Call emergency services if clearing the mouth doesn't help them breathe better.
Step 15: Discourage crowds.
People may hang around to watch if a person has a seizure.If you can get the person to a safe place, ask the onlookers to move along and give them space and privacy.It can be very difficult for someone to come out of a seizure.
Step 16: Allow the person to rest.
A safe area is where the person can rest.They need to loosen their tight clothing around their neck and waist.They should not be allowed to eat or drink until they are calm, conscious, and aware of what is going on around them.Stay with the person while they recuperate.Don't leave a person confused or sleepy after a seizure.
Step 17: Time the person to recover.
You should also time their recovery, just like you timed the seizure.Evaluate how long it will take for the person to recover from the seizure and return to their normal activity level.Emergency services should be called if they take longer than 15 minutes to recover.
Step 18: Take care of the person.
Seizures can be frightening.A person may be confused or embarrassed when they wake up.The person should be reassured that they are safe.Explain what happened to them when they are conscious.Stay with the person until they feel better.
Step 19: Write down any information.
Make a note of the details when you get the chance.This can be very valuable to the person who had the seizure, as well as to their doctor.Any changes in mood, like fatigue, hunger, or feeling queasy, and any unusual sensations, should be written down.