Managing seizures

• Keep calm. This is not always easy, but it is very important, especially when they are recovering from the seizure and are looking to you for reassurance.
• Put something soft under their head to protect it from banging on a hard surface. If you have nothing available to use, cradle the head in your hands or on your lap.
• Do not move the person unless absolutely necessary, e.g. if they are close to a hazard that cannot be moved (such as an open fire).
• Prevent physical injury by moving hazards out of the way (such as furniture).
• If they have a warning (aura), try and get them to sit or lie down so as to reduce the risk of injury.
• Maintain their dignity and privacy as much as possible.

During the seizure

• Keep a record of the seizure, including how long it lasted and what time it occurred and finished.
• Do not restrain their movements.
• Loosen tight clothes around the neck.
• Wipe away excess saliva.
• Stay with them until the seizure stops.
• Never put anything (especially not your fingers) in their mouth.
• Let the seizure run its course.
• When the jerking has stopped, roll them onto their side.
• Write a brief description of the seizure if it differs from the normal type they have.

Only call an ambulance if it is their first seizure; there are any injuries or breathing difficulties; if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or it is 2 minutes longer than their usual seizure length.

• Reassure them by speaking quietly and calmly to them.
• Protect them from any danger.
• Stay with them until they are fully conscious and any confusion has stopped.
• Keep a record of the seizure, including how long it lasted, what time it occurred and what it looked like.