First Aid for Seizures

First Aid for Seizures

In most cases little or no first aid is required if someone has a seizure.  It is always helpful to check for emergency medical information, e.g.,necklace, bracelet or card.

For a Convulsive Seizure:

Stay calm.  Do not restrain the person having a seizure.  Let the seizure take its course.
Remove sharp or hard objects that may cause harm.  Place something soft and small (such as a sweater) under the head.  Loosen clothing, especially at the neck.  Remove glasses.
Do NOT put anything in the person’s mouth.  This could cause teeth and jaw damage.  The person will not swallow their tongue during a seizure.
If possible turn the person on his or her side to allow saliva or other fluids to drain away
Do not offer food or drink until the person is fully alert
Reassure the person when consciousness returns
The person may need to rest for a few minutes/hours
Call for an ambulance or get medical help if the following happens:
The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
If the person has one seizure after another
The person is injured
The person is pregnant

For a Non-Convulsive Seizure: (a person who is staring, confused and not responding):

Speak calmly
Stay with the person.  Do not restrain them.  Let the seizure take its course.  The person will be unaware of his or her actions, and may or may not hear you.
Gently guide the person away from potential danger.  Move dangerous objects out of the way.
Such a partial seizure may spread to other areas of the brain.  A convulsive seizure may follow.

First Aid for Seizures

In most cases little or no first aid is required if someone has a seizure. It is always helpful to check for emergency medical information, e.g.,necklace, bracelet or card.

For a Convulsive Seizure:

	Stay calm. Do not restrain the person having a seizure. Let the seizure take its course. Remove sharp or hard objects that may cause harm. Place something soft and small (such as a sweater) under the head. Loosen clothing, especially at the neck. Remove glasses. Do NOT put anything in the person’s mouth. This could cause teeth and jaw damage. The person will not swallow their tongue during a seizure. If possible turn the person on his or her side to allow saliva or other fluids to drain away Do not offer food or drink until the person is fully alert Reassure the person when consciousness returns The person may need to rest for a few minutes/hours Call for an ambulance or get medical help if the following happens: The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes If the person has one seizure after another The person is injured The person is pregnant

For a Non-Convulsive Seizure: (a person who is staring, confused and not responding):

	Speak calmly Stay with the person. Do not restrain them. Let the seizure take its course. The person will be unaware of his or her actions, and may or may not hear you. Gently guide the person away from potential danger. Move dangerous objects out of the way. Such a partial seizure may spread to other areas of the brain. A convulsive seizure may follow.