What is the First Aid for Generalized Convulsive Seizures?
When someone is having a tonic clonic or grand mal seizure, you can help by following these steps:
- Keep Calm. Let the seizure take its course. Do not try to stop the seizure or revive the person. Begin timing the seizure.
- Time the Seizure. The time to watch for is 5 minutes. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, call for medical help.
- Protect From Further Injury if Possible. Move hard or sharp objects away, but do not interfere with the person’s movements. Place something soft and small such as a sweater under the head, loosen tight clothing, especially at the neck.
- Do Not Force Anything in the Person’s Mouth. This could cause teeth and jaw damage. The person will not swallow their tongue during a seizure.
- Roll the Person on their Side as soon as possible, to allow saliva or other fluids to drain away, helping to clear the airway. DO NOT BE FRIGHTENED if a person having a seizure appears to stop breathing momentarily.
- Afterward, talk gently to the person, be comforting and reassuring and stay with them until they become re-oriented.
What is the First Aid for Focal Non-Convulsive Seizures?
When someone is having a Focal Impaired Awareness seizure, you can help by following these steps:
- Stay With the Person. Do not try to stop the seizure, but let it take its course. The person will be unaware of his or her actions, and may or may not hear you.
- Gently Guide the Person away from Danger. And move dangerous objects out of the way.
- Observe Carefully. Note different movements or behaviours.
- Focal Seizures may Spread to other areas of the Brain. Do not be alarmed if a convulsive seizure follows.
- Afterward, talk gently to the person, be comforting and reassuring and stay with them until they become re-oriented.
First aid for people who use a wheelchair:
- Put the brakes on, to stop the chair from moving
- Allow the person to remain seated in the chair during the seizure (unless they have a care plan which says to move them). Moving the person could possibly lead to injuries for the person having the seizure and the carer. There could be certain attachments or medical reasons for the person to remain within the chair.
- If the person has a seatbelt or harness on, leave it fastened
- If the person doesn’t have a seatbelt or harness, support them gently, so they don’t fall out of the chair
- Cushion the person’s head and support it gently.
- Do not restrain
- Afterward, talk gently to the person, be comforting and reassuring and stay with them until they become re-oriented.
If you use a wheelchair or any other mobility device, speak with your doctor about any specific treatment options or care packages they would like you to follow during or after a seizure.
Calling an Ambulance:
In assessing the need to call an ambulance, a combination of factors has to be considered. For example, if
cyanosis (blue or gray color) or labored breathing accompanies the seizure, then an ambulance may be called
earlier. If a person is known to have epilepsy and the seizure pattern is uncomplicated and predictable, then
ambulance help may not be necessary.
CALL AN AMBULANCE:
• If a convulsive seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
• If consciousness or regular breathing does not return after the seizure has ended.
• If seizure repeats without full recovery between seizures.
• If confusion after a seizure persists for more than one hour.
• If a seizure occurs in water and there is any chance that the person has inhaled water. Inhaling water can cause heart or lung damage.
• If it is a first-time seizure, or the person is injured, pregnant, or has diabetes. A person with diabetes may experience a seizure as a result of extremely high or low blood sugar levels.