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Research Guides

First Aid for Seizures

This guide gives common first aid advice and safety procedures in the event of an emergency seizure situation.

What To Do

  1. Cushion head and remove glasses or anything around head/neck.
  2. Do not put anything in mouth.
  3. Look for medical alert identification. 
  4. Loosen tight clothing.
  5. Turn on side.
  6. Do not hold down.
  7. Time the seizure.
  8. Call 911 if seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. 
  9. Offer help as person regains consciousness. 
  10. The person might not be aware of where they are, who they are, or any other identifiable information.
  11. They could experience extreme emotions such as fear, sadness, anger.
  12. Be calm, reassuring, and stay with the person until medical help arrives or they are able to reorient.  

Useful information on Seizures and Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by recurring seizures due to abnormal electrical discharges of brain cells 

A person having a seizure cannot swallow their tongue

Nothing should be placed in the mouth during a seizure

There are 20 different types of seizures

Epilepsy can develop at any age, from infancy to 100+

Epilepsy is not a disease and there is no known cure, but treatment with medication can control severity and frequency of seizures