Learn How To Help Someone Having A Seizure
Almost everything people instinctively do during a seizure is wrong. Ten minutes fixes that.
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- Under 15 min
- People
- Solo / Duo, Small Group (3-6), Large Group (7+)
- Where
- Anywhere
- Bring
- Nothing in particular
Why this matters
Seizures are common enough that most people will witness one, and the widely-held instincts about how to respond are actively harmful - restraining someone or putting something in their mouth causes injury. The correct response is simple and mostly consists of not intervening. Ten minutes of reading replaces dangerous folk knowledge with something useful.
How to do it
Read the guidance from a recognised epilepsy organisation. It takes ten minutes and most of it is about what not to do.
What to do during a convulsive seizure: - Note the time it starts. This is the single most useful thing you can do. - Move hard or sharp objects out of the way. Don't move the person unless they're in immediate danger. - Cushion their head with something soft. - Loosen anything tight around their neck. - Stay with them and stay calm. - Once the convulsions stop, put them in the recovery position.
What never to do: - Don't restrain them or try to stop the movements. - Don't put anything in their mouth. It's impossible to swallow your tongue, and this causes broken teeth and bitten fingers. - Don't give food, drink or medication until they're fully alert.
When to call an ambulance: - The seizure lasts more than five minutes - One seizure follows another without recovery in between - They're injured, or it's their first known seizure - They don't regain consciousness, or have difficulty breathing afterwards
Afterwards, people are often exhausted, confused and embarrassed. Be matter-of-fact, give them space and privacy, and don't crowd them. Not all seizures involve convulsions - some look like staring or confusion, and the guidance covers those too.