Seizure first aid
Most seizures stop on their own. The priorities are simple: stay, time, protect, observe and recover.
Do
- ✓Stay with the person and stay calm.
- ✓Time the seizure from the beginning.
- ✓Protect the person from injury, especially the head; remove nearby hazards.
- ✓Loosen tight clothing around the neck if practical.
- ✓After a convulsive seizure, place the person on their side when safe to do so; turn them earlier if food, fluid or vomit is in the mouth.
- ✓Observe breathing and recovery, and reassure them as awareness returns.
- ✓Check for a medical ID, epilepsy management plan or prescribed rescue-medication plan.
Do not
- ×Do not put anything in the mouth. People do not swallow their tongue.
- ×Do not restrain the person's movements.
- ×Do not give food, drink or tablets until they are fully alert and able to swallow safely.
- ×Do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger.
- ×Do not give rescue medication unless you are trained and it is prescribed in that person's plan.
Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance when needed
• the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
• another seizure follows without recovery
• breathing remains difficult after the seizure
• the seizure occurred in water
• there is a significant injury
• the person remains unresponsive unusually long after the event
• it is a first known seizure or you are uncertain what is happening
• the person's individual emergency plan tells you to call
Time matters
The 5-minute threshold is important because prolonged convulsive seizures require urgent treatment.
Not every seizure looks convulsive
Staring, automatisms, confusion, sudden falls or unusual behaviours can also be seizure manifestations.
Use a written plan
People with recurrent seizures should have a personalised epilepsy management and emergency-medication plan where appropriate.
Based on seizure first-aid guidance from Epilepsy Action Australia. This page is general education and does not replace an individual's emergency plan.