First Aid for Seizures

Seizures can be a medical emergency, and providing proper first aid is crucial to ensure the person's safety and prevent injuries. Here are the steps to follow:

General Guidelines

• Stay calm: Keep a calm and composed demeanor to provide effective help.
• Keep the person safe: Clear the area around the person of any hard or sharp objects that could cause injury.
• Do not restrain: Refrain from holding the person down or trying to stop their movements, as this can cause injury to both the person and the helper.
• Loosen tight clothing: Loosen any tight clothing around the person's neck to help them breathe more easily.

Steps to Follow During a Seizure

1. Gently turn the person onto their side: This can help keep their airway clear and prevent them from choking on any fluids or vomit.
2. Clear the airway: If the person is vomiting or has fluid in their mouth, gently turn their head to the side to allow the fluid to drain out.
3. Do not put anything in the person's mouth: Avoid putting any objects, including your fingers, into the person's mouth, as this can cause injury or trigger a gag reflex.
4. Time the seizure: If possible, time the seizure to provide information to medical professionals later. Most seizures last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

After the Seizure

• Stay with the person: Remain with the person until they are fully recovered and alert.
• Check for injuries: Inspect the person for any injuries that may have occurred during the seizure, such as cuts or bruises.
• Provide reassurance: Offer comfort and reassurance to the person, as they may be confused or disoriented after the seizure.
• Seek medical attention: If the person has never had a seizure before, or if the seizure was severe or lasted longer than usual, seek medical attention immediately.

Special Considerations

• Pregnancy: If the person is pregnant, seek medical attention immediately after the seizure.
• Diabetes: If the person has diabetes, check their blood sugar level as soon as possible after the seizure.
• Medication: If the person is taking medication for seizures, ensure they take it as prescribed to prevent future seizures.

When to Call Emergency Services

• First-time seizure: If the person has never had a seizure before, call emergency services immediately.
• Severe or prolonged seizure: If the seizure is severe or lasts longer than 5 minutes, call emergency services.
• Injury during seizure: If the person is injured during the seizure, call emergency services.
• Difficulty breathing: If the person has difficulty breathing after the seizure, call emergency services.