Epilepsy A to Z
First aid for seizures
Once a seizure starts it will usually stop on its own.
What to do:
- Keep calm
- Check the time to see how long the seizure lasts
- Move any objects that could cause injury
- Put something soft like a rolled up jacket or cushion under the person's head to prevent injury
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck
- Remove glasses
- Stop other people crowding around
- Check for medical identification as this may have more information on the person's epilepsy
- Refer to the person's care plan if they have one
- Turn the person onto their side (we recommend the left side if possible. This is to make the administration of rectal emergency medication easier) into the recovery position as soon as the jerking stops
- Protect the person's privacy, particularly if they have emptied their bladder or bowels
- Speak softly and gently when you tell the person what has happened
- Remember they may be confused after a seizure
Some people with epilepsy have care plans. These have information about their seizures. If the person needs emergency medication the care plan will say this. Emergency medication can only be given by people named in the care plan and who are trained in the procedure.
What not to do:
- Do not move the person unless they are in danger eg on a busy road or at the top of stairs
- Do not try to stop the jerking or restrain the person
- Do not put anything in the person's mouth or between their teeth
- Do not offer the person anything to eat or drink until they are fully conscious
Call an ambulance if:
- it is the person's first seizure
- the person has badly injured themselves
- the jerking lasts for 5 minutes or a longer time than is usual for that person (if the person has a care plan this will have information on their usual length of seizure)
- one seizure follows another with no recovery time in between
- the person is having problems breathing after the seizure has stopped
- if a child is having a febrile convulsion (seizure caused by high temperature)