Responding to a Seizure: A Guide to Providing Support

It's scary to see someone having a seizure. Although the person is usually unconscious during a generalized seizure, there are many ways you can offer assistance. Your physical and psychological support can make a world of difference.

Things You'll Need

• Handkerchiefs
• Pillows

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Instructions

• 1

  Ease the person to the floor, if you see that she is about to have a seizure. She could get hurt if she falls.

• 2

  Insert a handkerchief between her teeth if she knows she's going to have a seizure. It will help her avoid biting her tongue.

• 3

  Loosen constrictive clothing (unless the seizure has come on and the person is jerking too much).

• 4

  Protect the head with a pillow, or any soft object, if possible. During a grand mal seizure, the head has a tendency to strike the floor repeatedly.

• 5

  Shoo away onlookers and close the door to provide privacy.

• 6

  Move furniture out of the way.

• 7

  Avoid trying to restrain the person having a seizure. You will never be strong enough to fight against the powerful seizing muscles, but you may get hurt.

• 8

  Make sure not to jam anything between the seizing person's clenched teeth. If her jaw is clenched, you could break her teeth or injure her lips.

• 9

  Turn her onto her side if you can, to prevent choking or aspiration of vomit that may occur during seizure.

• 10

  Reorient the person after she begins to regain consciousness following her seizure. Sometimes awareness is regained soon after a seizure, sometimes it can take several minutes or more.