Seizure First Aid
Protecting a person during and after a convulsive seizure
Step by Step
Time the seizure. Protect the head with something soft and move hard or sharp objects away. Do not restrain the person or put anything in their mouth. After the jerking stops, roll them into the recovery position and check breathing. Stay with them, speak calmly, until they are fully alert. Call emergency services if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, another seizure follows without recovery, it is their first seizure, they are injured, pregnant, have difficulty breathing, the seizure happened in water, or they do not regain full awareness. If they have an individual care plan or rescue medication prescribed, follow that plan.
Related Guides
Head Injury Assessment
Call emergency services if the person was knocked out, even briefly, or shows red flags: confusion, drowsiness, repeated vomiting,...
Stroke Recognition FAST
Use FAST: Face drooping on one side, Arm weakness or numbness, Speech difficulty or slurring, Time to call emergency services imme...
Spinal Injury Suspected
Suspect a spinal injury after falls from height, road crashes, diving accidents, or significant head injury, or if the person has ...
Meningitis Recognition
Key signs: fever with severe headache, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, cold hands and f...