SEIZURE FIRST AID STEPS
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Remain calm and composed when someone is experiencing a seizure. Avoid panic, as it can hinder your ability to provide effective assistance. Move any sharp or hazardous objects away to minimize the risk of injury. If the person appears unsteady, gently guide them to a safe area and support their head to prevent head trauma.
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Once the person is on the ground, gently turn them onto their side to maintain an open airway and prevent choking. Place a soft object under their head for comfort. Keep track of the seizure's duration to assist medical professionals.
Stay
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Remain with the person until the seizure has completely subsided. Many individuals will be disoriented and unaware of having had a seizure. Offer reassurance and support during this potentially distressing time. Allow them to rise at their own pace, avoiding any pressure to hurry
Safe
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The postictal state is the recovery period immediately following a seizure, there could be symptoms like confusion, fatigue, headache, and memory difficulties. It's when the brain "resets" after intense electrical activity and can last minutes to days.
Postictal
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Seizure First Aid Steps
What is seizure first aid
If you saw your loved one or anyone― having a seizure would you know how to help?
Knowing and following proper seizure first aid steps can be crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of someone experiencing a seizure.
Breathing Tips
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During a tonic-clonic seizure, it may look like the person has stopped breathing. This happens when the chest muscles tighten during the tonic phase of a seizure.
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As this part of a seizure ends, the muscles will relax and the person will start breathing normally again. You don’t need to do rescue breathing or CPR for that kind of change in breathing.
Helpful Tips
Do NOT...
Do not hold or restrain the person down who is having a seizure
Do not put anything in the persons mouth, try to see if there is anything in their mouth can be very dangerous as their body is tensing up, their jaw will start to tighten and lock
Do not offer food or water directly after a seizure
Do not rush them to sit up after a seizure, let them take their time
When do i call 911?
Not every seizure is medical emergency, here are the instances that they are
If a seizure lasts 3.5- 5 minutes or longer
One seizure happens right after another without the person regaining consciousness (“coming to”) between seizures
The person has trouble breathing
The person appears to be choking
The seizure happens in water, like a swimming pool or bathtub, and not returning to conciseness
The person is injured during the seizure
The person is pregnant
The person asks for medical help
Get Certified
The Seizure Recognition and First Aid certification training by the National Epilepsy Foundation of America provides information to increase the knowledge, skills and confidence in recognizing seizures and safely administering seizure first aid. The first aid course will give background on epilepsy, different types of seizures and much more.
We encourage you to get seizure certified by the National Epilepsy Foundation who give step by step instructions on how to help someone who has a seizure. You can be the difference in saving someones life or losing a loved one to SUDEP. It's time to take a stand and spread awareness of the 1 in 26 people who have epilepsy.