First Aid

First aid requirements for seizures vary depending on the seizure type.  Regardless of the seizure type, the following recommendations should be followed:

• Do not be frightened if the person appears to stop breathing for a few seconds. This is common.
• If child has a seizure, the parents or guardians should be notified.
• Check for medical or emergency identification.
• If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or repeats without full recovery
• Seek Medical Assistance Immediately
• Although this rarely occurs, status epilepticus is life-threatening. It is a serious medical emergency

In the event of Tonic Clonic Seizures:

• If necessary, ease the person to the floor.Loosen any tight neck wear.
• Protect the person’s head and body from injury.
• Do not restrain the person.
• Do not insert anything between the teeth.
• If the person starts to bleed from the mouth, do not panic. S/he has probably bitten the tongue.
• Once relaxed, turn the person onto the side to ensure an open air passage and decrease risk of aspiration.
• After the seizure, let the person sleep if needed.
• Suggest that s/he see a physician.
• If the person has a second seizure within a few minutes, call a doctor or ambulance.

In the event of Absence Seizures:

• No first aid is required. Reassure the person.

In the event of Simple Partial Seizures:

• No first aid is required. Reassure the person.

In the event of Complex Partial Seizures:

• Do not restrain the person.
• Protect the person from injury by moving sharp or hot objects away.
• If wandering occurs, stay with the person and talk quietly.

To learn more about first aid for different types of seizures, please select a seizure type below.

• Absence Seizures
• Atonic (Drop) Seizures
• Catamenial Seizures
• Clonic Seizures
• Complex Partial Seizures
• Epileptic Syndromes and Visually Induced Seizures
• Gelastic Seizures
• Infantile Spasms
• Lafora Disease
• Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
• Musicogenic Seizures
• Myoclonic Seizures
• Neonatal Seizures
• Nocturnal Seizures
• Psychogenic Seizures
• Reflex Seizures
• Rolandic Epilepsy
• Secondarily Generalized Seizures
• Simple Partial Seizures
• Startle Epilepsy
• Status Epilepticus
• Tonic Seizures
• Tonic-Clonic Seizures
• Visual Reflex Seizures Induced by Complex Stimuli
• Withdrawal Seizures