Seizure Disorder - 3. First Aid for Seizures

3. First Aid for Seizures

  • First Aid for Seizures

    Most seizures are NOT an emergency.

    First aid for seizures involves keeping the student comfortable and safe from injury.

    Specific actions vary slightly depending on the type of seizure.

  • First Aid Tonic Clonic Seizure (Convulsive)

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    If other students are around during a seizure, acknowledge the seizure is occurring and calmly request the students clear out the area.

    First Aid Tonic Clonic Seizure (Convulsive)

    1. Keep Calm

    2. Lower student to the floor. Exception: If the student is in a wheelchair, they are to remain in the wheelchair for the duration of the seizure. This is the safest place for the student

    3. Start timing the seizure

    4. Do not restrain the student or put anything in their mouth

    5. Protect the student from injury by moving any hazardous objects away and placing something soft underneath their head

    6. Turn student onto their side as soon as possible

    7. Stay with the student and observe the seizure

    8. Provide reassurance and privacy

  • Non-Convulsive Seizures

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    *If other students are around during a seizure, acknowledge the seizure is occurring and calmly request the students clear out the area.

    Non-Convulsive Seizures

    1. Stay calm

    2. Remain with the student

    3. Do not restrain

    4. Move any objects away

    5. Gently guide the student away from any danger

    6. Offer reassurance

  • After All Seizures

    1. Speak gently to reassure and re-orient the student
    2. Take the student to a quiet place to rest
    3. Notify parents and follow up with school staff

  • When to call 911?

    • The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
    • You find someone in convulsion and are unsure of how long the seizure has lasted
    • The individual is disoriented and confused for more than 20 minutes after the seizure
    • The seizures repeat without a full recovery between them (occurring in a series)
    • It is the individual’s first known seizure
    • The seizure occurs in water
    • The individual is injured, pregnant or has diabetes

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