What to do if someone has a seizure
Overview
Seizures can happen for many reasons, including a brain condition such as epilepsy. A seizure can look different from person to person. Some seizures cause a person to lose awareness, fall or shake. Other seizures may cause staring, confusion or repetitive movements. Most seizures end within a few minutes.
If you think someone is having a seizure, these first-aid steps can help you keep the person safe during and after the seizure.
When to seek emergency help
Seizures don't usually require emergency medical attention. However, it's important to call 911 or emergency medical help if:
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
- The seizure happens in water.
- Another seizure starts before the person recovers.
- The person does not return to their usual level of awareness within 5 to 10 minutes.
- The person is injured, has trouble breathing or is choking.
- The person is younger than 6 months.
- This is the person's first known seizure.
- The person is pregnant.
What you can do
Knowing what to do and what to avoid can help you respond safely when someone has a seizure.
During and right after a seizure
A simple way to remember seizure first aid is: Stay. Safe. Side.
- Stay. Stay with the person and time the seizure from beginning to end. Remain calm and reassure the person as the person recovers.
- Safe. Help the person to the ground if the person starts to fall. Move hard, sharp or dangerous objects away. If possible, put something soft and flat under the head to protect it. Loosen tight clothing around the neck.
- Side. After the seizure stops, check the person's breathing. If the person is not awake and aware but is breathing normally, gently turn the person onto either side. Turn the face to the side so fluids can drain from the mouth. This position can help keep the airway clear.
After a seizure
After a seizure, a person may be tired, confused or sleepy for several minutes.
- Stay with the person until they are awake and alert.
- Keep the person on their side if they are not fully awake but are breathing normally.
- Check for injuries and watch breathing.
- Reassure the person and briefly explain what happened once the person is alert enough to understand.
- Give the person space and privacy but stay nearby.
- Offer to contact a support person.
If a child has a seizure with a fever
For a child having a seizure with a fever, follow the same basic first-aid steps. Do not give fever-reducing medicine during the seizure. Fever-reducing medicines do not stop an ongoing febrile seizure or prevent another febrile seizure during the same illness.
Call 911 or emergency medical help for a seizure in an infant younger than 6 months.
What to avoid
Some common responses to a seizure can cause harm and should be avoided.
- Do not restrain the person or try to stop the movements. Restraining a person does not stop a seizure and may cause injury.
- Do not put anything in the person's mouth. A person cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure. Putting fingers, food, medicine, or another object in the mouth can cause injury or choking.
- Do not give food, drinks or pills until the person is fully awake and able to swallow normally. A person may not be able to swallow safely during a seizure or while not fully awake afterward.
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