How to Help Someone during an Epileptic Seizure

If you have ever witnessed someone having a seizure, it can be pretty scary. However, it does not have to be a scary situation and you can be there for your friend at a time when he or she needs you the most. Using a little common sense and a gentle touch, you can learn to help a person from hurting themselves during an epileptic seizure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. A seizure is usually the sudden alteration of a person’s behavior due to a change in the electrical operation within the cortex part of the brain. Some warning signs of an oncoming epileptic seizure may be when a person comments on a strange smell, sound or feeling a tingling sensation or numbness throughout the body. You may notice some warning signs of forgetfulness, confusion or sleepiness in a person. Many people who suffer from epileptic seizure say they experience an “aura” surrounding everything they look at. When he or she experiences these auras, they know to take themselves out of a situation and find a safe place until their seizure is over. Find a quiet spot for your friend and be as comforting as possible. Your friend my be embarrassed and ashamed of what may be forthcoming, assure your friend that you are there for them and there's nothing to that can happen for them to be ashamed of, Just talking quietly and reassuringly to your friend my be all that is needed to avoid an oncoming seizure. However, be prepaired, there is nothing to do but ride the seizure out until its over.
2. If you find yourself in a situation where someone has gone into a seizure, the following are just a few things you can do to protect them from hurting themselves. Also be careful and watch yourself too, even if a person is thrashing about it is not necessary to hold them down, this may only get you hurt or hurt the person your restraining. As long as there is no danger of them hurting themselves, let them go through what they have to. The old wives tale of someone swallowing their tongue when having a seizure is not true, so that’s one less thing for you to worry about. Time the seizure and make the person as comfortable as possible. If you’re in a public place, keep onlookers away and try to keep the people from crowding around you and your friend. This can cause more panic to your friend and may extend the length of the seizure. Don’t give medication or water to a person during a seizure, this should not have to be said but……
3. When the seizure is over, remember that a person may be sick, be sure to keep his or her head turned in case this happens. If he or she does vomit, keeping the head turned will allow the vomit to drain out of their mouth so they don’t inhale it and choke. Even if you have a weak stomach for this kind of thing, try not to show this at this time. This is not about you, it's about helping another person get through a rough time. If you can't help your gagging reflexes, try "grinning", this is said to stop those gagging reflexes, or at least help some.

Tips & Warnings

• Be caring and sensitive to this person's situation during this stressfull time and inform those around you to do the same. This is where most people feel the most vulnerable and even a bit embarrassed. You will help the person more by just doing what you can to assure him or her you are there for them and want to do whatever you can to help make it better for them.
• If the seizure lasts for more than five minuets, call 911 immediantly, this is why its so important to time a person's seizure.