There different types of seizures, We are going to cover first aid for when someone has a convulsive seizure. These shaky or jerky movements can be upsetting and scary for people to witness. Especially when they don’t understand whats taking place. A seizure is due to unusual electrical activity in the brain. It can be a caused by different problems, like when you have very high fever, if you were poisoned, if you’re having a stroke, withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, head injury, or epilepsy.
When someone is having a seizure attack, you might be tempted to calm them down by restraining their movement, but don’t. Instead, clear their surroundings and cushion their head with a jacket or even your hands to keep them from repeatedly hitting their head on the ground. Below are simple steps anyone could do to make a difference.
Here Are 10 Simple First Aid Tips For Seizures
- Stay Calm
- Check for hazards
- Check the time
- Cushion their head
- Don’t restrain them
- Don’t put anything in their mouth
- Check the time again
- Once the seizure has stopped
- Place them into the Recovery Position
- Don’t Leave them- wait for 9-1-1
So let’s review the steps; Stay calm and Check for hazards to make sure victim is safe. Check the time- this will be important if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. Cushion their Head to protect them from injuries by repeatedly hitting their head on the ground. Use a jacket or even your hands to protect them. But, don’t restrain them, your restraining them could cause injuries to their limbs while they are convulsing. Don’t put anything in their mouth. They could bite off the object and choke on it. They could bite into it and break a tooth or fracture their jaw. Or even impale the object into their palate. Don’t worry, they can’t swallow their tongue. They may bite the tongue, but that is usually a minor injury. Check the time again once the seizure stops and check to make sure they are breathing.
Don’t leave the victim and wait until the seizure stops.
When it stops and the person is still unconscious, check their breathing by performing a head tilt, chin lift. This will enable the person mouth to open and you can check if they are breathing. If not breathing, be ready to perform CPR.
If they are breathing, put them into the recovery position by placing them on their left side, keeping their head tilted and make sure that they are breathing properly. Stay with them until they have fully regained consciousness.
Call 9-1-1 if the seizure lasted for more than 5 minutes or if they had more than one seizure in a row, if the victim is a child, or the victim has not regained consciousness.
That’s it.
Have you witnessed someone having a seizure?
It’s frightening when you don’t know what to do. I hope these simple tips will make a difference.