Reference: Epilepsy Foundation #1 trusted site for epilepsy and seizure news
If you witness a seizure remain calm. Talk calmly and reassuringly to the person during and after the seizure. Check for medical ID. Time the seizure from beginning to the end of the active seizure, to determine if emergency help is needed. Keep the person SAFE. Move or guide away from harmful or sharp objects.
Turn the person onto their SIDE if they are not awake and aware with their mouth pointing toward the ground. Loosen tight clothes around neck. If they are aware, help them sit down or lay them down on the floor. Put something small and soft under the head. This prevents saliva from blocking their airway and helps the person breathe more easily.
During a convulsion, it may look like the person has stopped breathing. This happens when the chest muscles tighten during the tonic phase of a seizure. As this part of a seizure ends, the muscles will relax, and breathing will resume normally.
Do NOT put any objects in their mouth. Don’t worry – a person can’t swallow their tongue during a seizure. Jaw and face muscles may tighten during a seizure, causing the person to bite down.
Do NOT restrain. Trying to stop movements or forcibly hold person down doesn’t stop a seizure. Restraining a person can lead to injuries and make the person more confused, agitated, or aggressive.
STAY with them until they are awake and alert after the seizure. Reassure the person that they are safe.
Question:
When should you call for emergency help?
Results
#1. When should you call for emergency help?
When to Call for Emergency Help
- Seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
- Repeated seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizure occurs in water
- Person is injured, pregnant, or sick
- Person does not return to their usual state
- First time seizure
- The person asks for medical help
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