How to Help Someone Having an Epileptic Seizure

Video Transcript

"You know, encountering someone unexpectedly who's having a true medical emergency, can result in a very scary event for the rescuer. Hi, I'm Captain Joe Bruni, and what we're going to talk about is the steps to take for someone who's experiencing Grand Mal seizure type of activity. A Grand Mal seizure is the typical seizure we all think of, where there is violent shaking and muscle twitching of the persons body. If you suspect a person is about to go into a seizure, gently lower them to the floor. Before the seizure activity starts, take something like a hankercheif or something even soft like a wallet that can be placed between the teeth prior to the seizure activity. Once the seizure activity starts, and the jaws clench tight, do not try to force anything between the teeth or in the mouth. As you may end up injuring the person or break the victims teeth. Clear the person away, or clear all furniture away from the person so they don't violently hurt them self. And try not to restrain the victim. Only maintain support of the head to keep them from banging it on the floor. Something as a pillow, soft like a pillow can be used to keep it from banging off the floor as we maintain control. If you try to restrain the person, you could hurt the individual or actually get hurt yourself, because you'll never restrain the violent twitching motions of the seizure. A seizure can be a pretty scary event. Because many times during seizure activity the person isn't breathing. And you may experience bluish colored lips and finger tips known as cyanosis. Once the seizure activity has ceased, the patient will normally begin to breath on their own again. And then we will support, and provide general supportive care to that individual as they reorient themselves to their surroundings, known as the postictal state. And during this postictal state, many seizure patients will experience a drained feeling from all of the energy that they had spent through the activity. General supportive care through the seizure activity is the key component. I'm Captain Joe Bruni. Stay safe. And we'll see you next time."