How to Perform First Aid for Seizures

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By Nicole Hoelscher
eHow Contributing Writer

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Perform First Aid for Seizures

Seeing someone have a seizure is a very scary experience. Many people in this situation panic, mistakenly assuming that the victim is dying. Seizures are scary, but they are often not fatal. Knowing what to expect when you come across someone having a seizure will help you to provide helpful first aid. Here are some steps you should take if you ever are near someone having a seizure. Above all, you must remain calm if you are going to provide support to the seizure victim.

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Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

How to Perform First Aid for Seizures

Step 1

Stay calm. Seeing someone who is having a seizure is quite scary. You will need to stay calm in order to provide help.
Step 2

Look around to see if there is anything that could cause the person to be injured. Remove large furniture or other items from the area. Help the person lie on the floor if possible.
Step 3

Record the seizure's length. Paramedics will want this information.
Step 4

Keep other people from gathering around too closely. They will be curious, but are not needed.
Step 5

Avoid holding on to the person. This does not help the seizure victim, and you could be injured by the victim's thrashing movements.
Step 6

Call 911, particularly if the person stays in the seizure for more than 5 minutes or if the victim is a child.
Step 7

Lay the person on his left side when the seizure is over. Watch for vomiting, which is common. Make sure the victim does not choke on or swallow any vomit.

Tips & Warnings

In the past it was believed that the seizure victim could swallow his tongue. This is not true.
Even though a seizure is scary, the individual may not need an ambulance. Only call 911 for a child or someone who has a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes. If the person wants an ambulance after coming out of the seizure, you can then call one.
Never put anything in the victim's mouth. Pills or water could cause them to choke.
Never put your fingers in the victim's mouth. You could be bit.

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