Today is the first day of the Epilepsy Action ACTION campaign.
First aid for seizures is easy and yet 9 out of 10 people in the uk wouldn’t know what to do if they saw someone having a seizure. Worse, almost a third of people would actually do something dangerous when encountering a seizure.
Watch Epilepsy Action’s new film and learn to take ACTION:
First aid for tonic-clonic seizures
The person goes stiff, loses consciousness, falls to the floor and begins to jerk or convulse. They may look a little blue around their mouth from irregular breathing. Tonic-clonic seizures can last a few minutes.
Remember ACTION for tonic-clonic seizures:
| A | Assess Assess the situation – are they in danger of injuring themselves? Remove any nearby objects that could cause injury |
| C | Cushion Cushion their head (with a jumper, for example) to protect them from head injury |
| T | Time Check the time – if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes you should call an ambulance |
| I | Identity Look for a medical bracelet or ID card – it may give you information about the person’s seizures and what to do |
| O | Over Once the seizure is over, put them on their side (in the recovery position). Stay with them and reassure them as they come round |
| N | Never Never restrain the person, put something in their mouth or try to give them food or drink |
Call an ambulance if:
- You know it is a person’s first seizure
- The seizure lasts for more than five minutes
- One seizure appears to follow another without the person gaining consciousness in between
- The person is injured
- You believe the person needs urgent medical attention
