7 First Aid Tips For Dealing With An Epileptic Seizure

This guide is particularly relevant for tonic clonic seizures where the person shakes or jerks.

Although seizures can be frightening to see, they are not usually a medical emergency. Usually, once the seizure stops, the person recovers and their breathing goes back to normal. If this is their first seizure, they should always seek medical advice.

Try to stay calm as it will help you have a clear mind and enable you to help the person having the seizure.

If the person is in a safe place don’t move them. Remove any harmful objects that may be around them.

Don’t hold them down or restrict their movements, and don’t put anything in their mouth.

If the person has collapsed – cushion their head with something soft.

You should stay with the person until the seizure is over and help has arrived.

Help by keeping them calm and reassure them that you are there with them.

Take note of the time the seizure starts and finishes.

If the seizure doesn’t stop after 5 minutes – call 999.

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