This document provides guidelines for assisting someone experiencing a seizure. It begins by defining what a seizure is and noting that they can be frightening to witness. It explains that seizures are not always convulsions, but can involve staring, movements, smells/sounds, or behaviors. The guidelines recommend remaining calm, protecting the individual from injury, loosening tight clothing, removing eyeglasses, not restraining them or placing things in their mouth. It also advises timing the seizure, calling for emergency help if needed, looking for injuries afterwards, and not letting them drive after a seizure. The goal is to maintain the individual's safety during and after the event.

1. EPILEPSY FIRST AID
Emmaline McCulloch, RN
Epilepsy Resource Nurse
9 West

2. What is a seizure?
Short-lived bursts of uncontrolled
energy in the brain.

3. Seizures can be very scary to watch
whether it is a loved one who is
experiencing the seizure, a patient you are
treating, or an individual you happened upon
while shopping at the grocery store.

4. SEIZURES
• Most people think that all seizures are
convulsions.
• Seizures may also consist of:
– Staring spells
– Abnormal movements
– Abnormal smells or sounds
– Abnormal behaviors

5. Here are some Guidelines
used to assist the individual
having a seizure:

6. Seizures Guidelines
• Remain cool, calm, and collected. Stay
with the individual. Crowd control is
important. Limit to 2 people for first aid
support.
• Protect the individual from injury by
removing sharp objects around them.
Place a pillow or folded clothing (towel or
jacket) under their head.

7. Seizure Guidelines
• Turn the individual to their side and loosen
tight clothing around their neck and waist.
• Remove eyeglasses
• Do not place anything in the individual’s
mouth.

8. Guidelines Cont.
• Do not restrain the seizure activity.
• Time the seizure activity.
• If a visitor or stranger is having a seizure call
911 or 2-3333 immediately.
• If patient is inpatient at hospital call the nurse
immediately or push call bell.

9. Seizure First Aid

10. Seizure Assessment
• Look for any injuries that need immediate
attention such as cuts or broken bones.
• Do not let the individual drive after a
seizure.

11. A seizure can strike anyone at
any time. Please follow these
simple steps to maintain an
individual’s safety.

12. References:
• Epilepsy Foundation of America. Safety and Seizures: Tips for Living with Seizure
Disorders.
• Handbook of Epilepsy: Diagnosis and Management, edited by J. Edwards,
University Press, 2009.
• Managing Seizure Disorders: A Handbook for Health Care Professionals, edited by
N. Santilli, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, 1996 by the Epilepsy
Foundation of America.
• Schacter, Steven C. & Shire Pharmaceuticals. (2000). A Guide for Adults: A Normal
Life With Epilepsy.