First aid

How to help someone during a seizure depends on the type of seizure that the person has. In the case of a non-convulsive seizure, the person may simply appear confused. Reassure the person and gently guide them away from harm.

If you are with someone who has a convulsive seizure, you should try to:

• Stay calm
• Time the seizure
• Protect the person from injury
• Place something soft under the head
• Loosen tight clothing at the neck
• Roll the person onto their side when the jerking stops 
• If breathing seems difficult, check the mouth to ensure that food or dentures are not blocking the airflow. 
• Provide reassurance and minimize embarrassment during recovery
• Do not put anything in the person's mouth or between the teeth
• Do not restrain the person unless they are in danger
• Do not give food or drink until recovery is complete. 

If the seizure occurs in a wheelchair, car seat or stroller, leave the person seated if secure and safely strapped in. Support the head. When jerking stops, if the person is unconscious, remove from seat and roll them onto their side.

Call an ambulance if:

• The seizure lasts more that five minutes or a second seizure quickly follows the first
• The person has trouble breathing after the seizure
• The person is not starting to recover consciousness within five minutes of the seizure stopping
• The seizure occurs in water
• The person is injured
• The person is pregnant
• The person has diabetes
• You believe it is the person's first seizure or you do not know. This applies regardless of how long the seizure lasts
• The person does not fully recover