First aid for seizures

If you’re with someone when they have a seizure, here’s what you can do to help them.

First aid for tonic-clonic seizures

Do…

  • Protect the person from injury by moving any sharp or dangerous objects away from them
  • Cushion their head
  • Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery (it might have some advice for you to follow)
  • Help the person to breathe by putting them in the recovery position (on their side) when the seizure has finished
  • Be calm and reassuring
  • Stay with the person until they have fully recovered

Don’t…

  • Try to stop the person‘s movements or hold the person down
  • Put anything in the person’s mouth
  • Try to move the person unless they’re in danger
  • Give the person anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
  • Attempt to bring the person round

Call for an ambulance if…

  • You know it’s the person’s first seizure
  • The seizure continues for more than five minutes
  • One tonic-clonic seizure follows another without the person fully recovering between seizures
  • The person is injured during the seizure
  • You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

First aid for focal seizures

Do…

  • Gently guide the person away from any danger
  • Stay with the person until they’ve fully recovered
  • Be calm and reassuring
  • Remember that they may not be aware of what is happening
  • Explain anything they may have missed, once the seizure is over

Don’t…

  • Try to stop the person‘s movements or hold the person down
  • Act in a way that could frighten them, such as making abrupt movements or shouting at them
  • Give the person anything to eat or drink until they have fully recovered
  • Attempt to bring the person round