If you are near someone having an epileptic seizure, it’s important to stay calm and take the following steps to help them safely:
- Stay with the person: Remain calm and stay with the person throughout the seizure. Most seizures are brief and will end on their own.
- Keep the person safe: Protect the person from injury by moving any nearby objects that could cause harm during the seizure. Cushion their head with something soft if they are on the ground.
- Do not restrain them: Do not hold the person down or restrain their movements. Allow the seizure to run its course. Trying to restrain someone during a seizure can lead to injury for both you and the person having the seizure.
- Time the seizure: Note the time when the seizure starts. Seizures that last longer than 5 minutes or are followed by another seizure without the person regaining consciousness in between (status epilepticus) require emergency medical attention.
- Turn them on their side: If the person is lying down or falls down during the seizure, gently roll them onto their side. This helps keep their airway clear and prevents them from choking on saliva or vomit.
- Do not put anything in their mouth: Contrary to common belief, you should not put anything in the person’s mouth during a seizure. This could cause injury to their teeth, jaw, or gums. The person cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure.
- Stay calm and reassure: Speak calmly and reassuringly to the person after the seizure ends. Let them know where they are and explain what happened.
- Seek medical attention if necessary: If it’s the person’s first seizure, if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, if the person is injured during the seizure, or if they have difficulty breathing or recovering afterwards, call emergency services (911 or your local emergency number).
Remember, most seizures end on their own without needing emergency medical attention. Your role is primarily to keep the person safe during the seizure and provide assistance as needed. Understanding epilepsy and knowing how to respond can help you support someone experiencing a seizure effectively.