Hollywood has a lot of ground to make up for when it comes to righting the wrongs perpetuated with it's portrayal of seizures, epilepsy and what type of first aid should be administered to a person who has just suffered a seizure.
Read through the beginning of this post or at the very least view the first two minute video and you'll know exactly what to do — should you happen on an individual who is having a seizure. Unlike CPR its easily remembered and doesn't require special training.
FIRST AID FOR TONIC-COLONIC (GRAND MAL) SEIZURES:
• DO Stay calm
• DO Help the person lie on their side
• DO Keep their head inclined, so they don't choke.
• DO Time the "shaking" portion of their seizure
• DO Make them comfortable
• DO NOT Hold the person down or restrain them
• DO NOT Put anything in their mouth
• DO NOT Give them water, pills, or food until they are alert
• DO Stay calm
• DO Help the person lie on their side
• DO Keep their head inclined, so they don't choke.
• DO Time the "shaking" portion of their seizure
• DO Make them comfortable
• DO NOT Hold the person down or restrain them
• DO NOT Put anything in their mouth
• DO NOT Give them water, pills, or food until they are alert
WHEN TO CALL 911:
It is not necessary to call the paramedics for every seizure if you know the individual is someone who has epilepsy.
It is not necessary to call the paramedics for every seizure if you know the individual is someone who has epilepsy.
CALL 911 IF:
• Its the person's first seizure, or you're not sure if its their first seizure.
• The seizure last more than 5 minutes.
• The person injures themselves during the seizure or vomits.
• Its the person's first seizure, or you're not sure if its their first seizure.
• The seizure last more than 5 minutes.
• The person injures themselves during the seizure or vomits.
WHAT TO DO AFTER THE SEIZURE:
• Stay with the person and keep them safe
• Do not restrain them.
• Be sensitive and use a calm, reassuring voice
• As they recover, ask them simple questions (their name, who is president, what year is it) to see if/when the become reoriented
• Make sure they're not hurt.
If this has piqued your curiosity and you'd like to learn more about the causes, history, research and treatment of epilepsy — the Epilepsy Therapy Project has a comprehensive Video Series.