Feb 21 (edited) β’ π©Ήπ¬ First Aid Corner
πβ οΈ Epilepsy
Epileptic seizure: Would you know how to help? πβ οΈ
When someone has an epileptic seizure, most people make one critical mistake. Would you know what to do?
Imagine you're on the street, at work, or at home, and suddenly someone next to you stiffens, falls to the ground, and starts convulsing. π¨
An epileptic seizure looks terrifying. But did you know that in that moment, YOU could be the most important person there?
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Why I'm sharing this:
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π¨ββοΈ I work in the ICU at Motol and Homolka Hospital in Prague. Every day I see patients with serious injuries that happened accidentally during a seizure β or, on the flip side, patients who did well because the people around them knew how to help.
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Two stories, two endings:
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π§ Anna, 9 β Had a seizure at school. Her teacher stayed calm, put a lunchbox backpack under her head, and moved the chairs away. The seizure stopped in 2 minutes. Today, Anna is fine and back in the same classroom.
π¨ Petr, 45 β Had a seizure on the street. A bystander, meaning well, shoved keys between his teeth to stop him from "swallowing his tongue." Petr ended up with broken front teeth and nearly choked. He landed in the ICU with mouth injuries.
β The difference? Knowing what to do β and what NEVER to do.
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π First aid for an epileptic seizure
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β
DO:
- Stay calm β Most seizures stop on their own within 2β3 minutes.
- Protect the head β Put something soft under their head (jacket, bag, sweater) so they don't injure it on the ground.
- Remove dangerous objects β Glasses, sharp edges, furniture.
- Time the seizure β If it lasts longer than 5 minutes, call emergency.
- After the seizure, roll them onto their side (recovery position) β This clears the airway.
- Stay with them until they're fully awake β They'll be confused, tired, and need peace.
β NEVER:
- Don't put anything in their mouth! (Not a spoon, not your fingers β you can't swallow your tongue, this is a dangerous myth.)
- Don't hold them down β You can't stop a seizure and you might hurt them.
- Don't give them anything to drink until they're fully conscious.
- Don't call an ambulance right away β If the seizure lasts under 5 minutes and they have known epilepsy, it's not necessary.
β οΈ WHEN TO CALL EMERGENCY:
- Seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
- Seizures repeat one after another
- You don't know if they have epilepsy
- They're injured
- They're not breathing or not waking up
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π§ͺ Quick quiz: Would you know how to react?
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π Scenario 1: Coworker at the office β Suddenly stiffens, falls off their chair, and starts convulsing. What's your first move?
π Answer: Stay calm, move the chair and other furniture away, and put something soft under their head (jacket, sweater). Time the seizure.
π Scenario 2: Grandma at home β She's having a seizure, convulsing, and still has breakfast in her mouth. A neighbor yells at you to put a spoon between her teeth. What do you do?
π Answer: NEVER put a spoon in her mouth! Roll her onto her side (so food can drain out) and protect her head. Don't put anything in her mouth β you can't swallow your tongue.
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Why is putting things in the mouth so dangerous? π€
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The myth about "swallowing your tongue" is unfortunately very common. During a seizure, the tongue relaxes, but swallowing is impossible. Shoving objects into the mouth can cause:
- Broken teeth
- Even more bitten tongue
- Risk of inhaling broken pieces or blood
- Jaw injuries
Just roll them onto their side β gravity does the work.
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β³ What to do after the seizure?
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- Stay with them β they'll be confused and exhausted
- Speak calmly, explain what happened
- Don't bombard them with questions β they need time
- If they fall asleep, that's normal. Let them sleep and monitor their breathing
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π Your turn β pay it forward
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Now you know π first aid for epileptic seizures. Your loved ones might not.
Do these 3 things:
π Comment "GOT IT" β confirm you've read the article
π€ Send this article to 3 people you care about (parents, grandparents, friends)
π Share it on your profile with the hashtag #IKnowHowToHelp #Epilepsy
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Maybe because of you, someone won't panic next time and will stay calm.
Have you ever witnessed an epileptic seizure? Did you know how to react? Or did you just realize you would have made a mistake before?
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Drop your story or thought in the comments below. I read every single one and love responding! π
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π Sources
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- International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE): First aid for seizures. https://www.ilae.org/patient-care/seizure-first-aid
- European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: First Aid. Resuscitation. 2021;161:270-290. https://cprguidelines.eu/
- Epilepsy Foundation: Seizure First Aid. https://www.epilepsy.com/recognition/first-aid
- Mula M, et al. Management of epilepsy in adults. Lancet. 2022;399(10331):1367-1380. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02627-7
These guidelines form the basis for all information provided in this article. For more information, visit www.ilae.org and www.erc.edu.
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