In the event of a medical emergency CALL 911!
Seizure
What is a seizure?
A seizure is a temporary change in brain activity that can affect a person’s movement, awareness, sensations or behavior. Seizures have many possible causes. Having one seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy.
Most seizures end within a few minutes. Your role as a bystander is to remain calm, protect the person from injury and know when to call 911.
IN THE EVENT OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY CALL 911!
How To Recognize A Seizure
Not every seizure causes someone to fall or shake. Possible signs include:
- Sudden loss of awareness or consciousness
- Falling to the ground
- Stiffening, shaking or repeated jerking movements
- A blank stare or failure to respond
- Confusion or unusual behavior
- Repetitive movements such as lip-smacking, chewing or picking at clothing
- Sudden twitching of the face, eyelids or one part of the body
- Unusual sensations, emotions, smells or tastes
- Drowsiness, confusion or memory loss after the episode
What To Do:
- Stay: Remain with the person and stay calm.
- Time the seizure: Note when it begins. This information is important for EMS.
- Keep them safe: Move furniture, sharp objects and other hazards away.
- Ease them to the ground: If they are falling, guide them down gently.
- Protect their head: Place something soft and flat, such as a folded jacket, beneath it.
- Loosen tight clothing: Remove eyeglasses and loosen anything tight around the neck.
- Turn them on their side: If it can be done safely, position them on their side with their mouth pointing toward the ground.
- Allow the seizure to run its course: Do not try to stop the movements.
- Look for medical identification: A bracelet, necklace or phone information may provide instructions.
- After the seizure: Check their breathing, keep them on their side and reassure them as they recover. Explain calmly what happened.
- Stay with the person until they are awake, aware and able to communicate.
Do Not:
- Do not hold the person down or restrain their movements.
- Do not place anything in their mouth. A person cannot swallow their tongue.
- Do not give food, water or medication until they are fully awake and able to swallow.
- Do not give rescue breaths or perform CPR during the seizure.
- Do not leave the person alone.
