What To Do If Someone Is Having A Seizure

Have you ever caught yourself in a panic while trying to figure out what you should do to help a loved one who’s experiencing a seizure? Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are most commonly associated with epilepsy and seizures in general, often characterized by temporary convulsions or violent shaking and disordered thinking/confusion.

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It can be the most nerve-wracking thing if you aren’t familiar with seizures. Not only that, everyone seems to have a different understanding of what should be done. Should you put a spoon in their mouth to keep them from swallowing their tongue? Should you hold them down until they stop shaking?

The answer is no. But, here’s what you should do:

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Let the seizure play out on its own. According to the Epilepsy Foundaton, generalized tonic-clonic seizures last less than five minutes. If it lasts longer than five minutes, call 911.

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Remove anything that may harm the person who is having a seizure. If there’s furniture or sharp objects nearby, move them out of the way. Do the same for bystanders. Seizures tend to draw a bit of attention. So, if people began to form a circle around the person who’s having a seizure, ask them to move.

What NOT to do

Do not put anything in their mouth, as this may cause more harm than good according to the Epilepsy Foundation. A common myth is that a person who’s having a seizure will swallow their tongue. They won’t. But, they may have trouble breathing.

A common misconception about a person who’s having a generalized tonic-clonic seizure is that they’re not breathing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this is not always true. Even if their face begins to look a little “blue,” it’s likely that they are still breathing. But, this is a sign that their blood is leaving their mouth, lungs and heart and going to their brain.

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What To Do

According to the CDC, the best thing to do is turn them over on their side to keep them from choking on saliva or vomit.

• If they’re having trouble with breathing, this position will also help them to breath a little easier.
• Find something soft, like a pillow or a folded jacket, to put underneath their head.
• If they are wearing eyeglasses or a tie, remove (or loosen) it.
• Stay with them until the seizure ends. It may take some time for them to regain consciousness and alertness.
• When they regain consciousness, calmly explain to them what just happened and offer to call someone (taxi or family) to help them get home safely.

When to call 911

• If the person is pregnant or diabetic
• If the seizure happens in water
• If they’ve never had a seizure before (check to see if they’re wearing a medical bracelet)
• If they experience another seizure after the first one
• If they experience difficulty breathing or walking after the seizure
• If the seizure happens after a head-blow or ingesting poison or a chemical