Seizure First Aid: What Families, Teachers, and Coworkers Should Know

Many people experience seizures that can occur at any time and anywhere – at work, at school, at home, or in public places. Seizures often occur suddenly and without warning, causing constant stress for both the person and those around them. Knowing what to do during a seizure can help you provide appropriate care and recognize when emergency help is needed. This basic knowledge is valuable for everyone, from children to adults.

It’s important to understand that while most seizures are not life-threatening, they do have specific effects. Panicking or trying to restrain someone forcibly can make the situation worse. The first few minutes of a seizure are crucial. Bystanders, family members, and coworkers play a key role in keeping the person safe. The right actions are straightforward: protect the person from injury and stay calm. It’s necessary to protect their head, remove dangerous objects, and stay nearby.

Proper seizure first aid can help keep the person safe and reduce everyone’s anxiety. When bystanders know what to do, the situation becomes less chaotic. After the seizure ends, emergency help may be needed in certain situations. Medical professionals can assess the person’s condition and provide appropriate care.

Recognizing the Signs of a Seizure Before Offering Help

Before assisting, you need to learn to recognize the different types of seizures. Seizures can look very different and have varying effects. A person may experience severe convulsions or brief blank stares. In these cases, getting professional medical help can improve outcomes.

Recognizing early warning signs allows you to respond quickly and safely. It’s helpful for everyone to know what to do during a seizure so they can stay calm. Different types of seizures require similar responses but varying levels of intervention. LoneStarNeurology offers quality treatment methods for people with seizure disorders.

People often think that seizures always look like falling to the ground with convulsive movements. However, you should also watch for sudden changes in behavior or blank staring. Unusual automatic movements of the hands or lips can also be signs of a seizure. Understanding these signs can help you protect someone before they get injured.

Here are the main signs of different types of seizures:

• Convulsive (tonic-clonic) seizures. The person suddenly falls, their body stiffens, and rhythmic jerking begins. There may be noisy breathing, blue lips, and foaming at the mouth. 
• Nonconvulsive seizures (absence). Everyone should know how to help someone having a seizure. The person freezes, stops responding, and may blink or move their lips. The episode lasts 5–20 seconds and appears to show the person briefly “zoned out.”
• Focal seizures with impaired consciousness. Automatic movements appear – the person may fidget with their fingers or walk in circles. The person may involuntarily grasp objects or repeat words or movements.
• Early warning signs (aura). Strange smells, flashes of light, sudden fear, or confused thoughts may signal that a seizure is starting.

What to Do During a Seizure – Step-by-Step First Aid

It’s helpful to understand what to do during a seizure so you can take the right actions. Staying calm, following proper steps, and ensuring safety are the most critical priorities once a seizure begins. The biggest mistake people make is trying to restrain the person or stop their movements. The correct steps are actually simple and don’t involve any force or restraint.

Following the proper steps can minimize the risk of injury. This helps ensure the seizure runs its course as safely as possible. Here is the key answer to the question “What to do during a seizure?”:

• Keep calm and stay close to the person. Calmness helps you think clearly and avoid dangerous actions.
• Note the time when the seizure starts. A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes is a critical signal to call for help.
• Move any sharp or dangerous objects away from the person. Create a safe space around them.
• Place something soft under their head – like a sweater, bag, or folded jacket – to cushion it and prevent head injuries.
• Loosen any tight clothing around the neck, such as a collar or tie, to help them breathe easier.
• Never try to hold the person down or restrain their movements, as this increases the risk of fractures and injuries.
• Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. A person cannot swallow their tongue, but putting objects in their mouth can block their airway.

How to Help Someone After a Seizure Ends

Proper seizure first aid continues after the movements stop. When the seizure ends, the person may be disoriented, drowsy, or confused. The recovery phase is a critical part of seizure first aid. Taking the right actions after a seizure ends can help prevent complications.

At this point, the person may not understand what happened and may feel weak or nauseous. What you do after a seizure can be just as important as what you do during it. The person will feel more secure knowing someone is there to help. Here is how to help someone after a seizure:

• Gently turn the person onto their side. This position (called the recovery position) prevents saliva or vomit from blocking their airway.
• Check that the person is breathing normally. Breathing may be noisy or irregular, but this is a normal reaction after a seizure.
• Reassure the person and calmly explain what happened. People are often confused and frightened when they regain awareness.
• Keep the environment quiet and calm – dim bright lights and reduce noise. Bright lights, loud sounds, or crowds can worsen their condition.
• Don’t let the person get up or move around quickly after a seizure. They need time to recover fully.
• Stay with the person until they fully recover. Recovery can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.

When to Call 911 or Seek Emergency Medical Help

In most cases, seizures end on their own and are not life-threatening. However, there are specific situations when you must call 911. Teachers, families, and coworkers should clearly understand when emergency help is needed. They may be present during a critical situation and need to act quickly.

Recognizing these warning signs helps you get help in time and prevent serious complications. In addition, some alarming symptoms require immediate medical attention. Everyone can find us in cities such as Mansfield and Sherman. Call 911 if:

• The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes. This may indicate status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition.
• The person has multiple seizures without regaining consciousness between them. This is a medical emergency.
• This is the person’s first seizure, or the cause is unknown. Everyone should understand when to call 911 for a seizure, and this is one of those times.
• The person was injured during the fall or seizure, especially head injuries, broken bones, or serious cuts. These require immediate medical evaluation.
• The person has difficulty breathing after the seizure ends. Shortness of breath or prolonged breathing problems are dangerous.
• The seizure happened in the water (bathtub, pool, etc.). This poses a risk of drowning or aspiration.
• The person is pregnant, has diabetes, or has other serious health conditions. These individuals are at higher risk of complications.
• The person having the seizure is a young child. Young children need a more thorough medical examination.

Seizure Safety at Home, School, and Work

Creating seizure-safe environments at school and work is essential. People with epilepsy lead full, active lives, and their environments should support their safety. A well-organized space can significantly reduce the risk of injury. Here are key safety rules in different settings:

Safety at home:

• Remove or secure sharp objects.
• Use non-slip rugs to reduce the risk of falls.
• Install grab bars in bathrooms.
• Teach all family members basic seizure first aid.

Safety at school:

• Train teachers and students in seizure first aid.
• Develop an individualized seizure action plan that includes emergency contacts for parents, doctors, and other key people.
• Arrange classroom furniture to minimize fall hazards.
• Teach students what to do if a classmate has a seizure.

Workplace Safety:

• Employees with epilepsy should inform their supervisor or HR about their condition (if comfortable doing so).
• Train coworkers on seizure first aid so they know how to respond confidently.
• Avoid working at heights or near water without supervision.
• Include seizure response protocols in workplace safety training.

Supporting People Living With Epilepsy Beyond First Aid

Supporting someone with epilepsy goes beyond providing first aid during a seizure. Anyone can contact us and get detailed information about professional medical help. Education, awareness programs, and training are essential. Support can include medication reminders and help in identifying and avoiding seizure triggers. Creating an environment that minimizes known triggers is also important.

Social support reduces anxiety and improves quality of life. Prioritizing seizure safety at school and work shows respect and care. Respecting privacy while ensuring safety is crucial. Communities and workplaces can organize training programs. These programs teach proper seizure response and reduce stigma.