If Someone is Having a Seizure...

[TonyMCev]

The best thing to do while you're holding them down, is to slap them in the face with their own hand, while repeating,"Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself?"

this post made me laugh...out loud.

[Cobraman]

The most important thing is to make sure they aren't hitting their head.

[dustin]

this post made me laugh...out loud.

Me too. At work at that.

[Wicked98Snake]

My GF had one once and it scared the shit out of me, I just kind of held her down and kept talking to her. They're scary as shit.

[War Machine]

My GF had one once and it scared the shit out of me, I just kind of held her down and kept talking to her. They're scary as shit.

If my ol lady had a seizure, I'd kick her out of the house

[8mpg]

Like some people said above, you just let them do their thing. Dont get in the way, you might just get hurt. Move the crap from around them so they dont get hurt. You can lay them on their left side so if they puke they dont aspirate, but thats it. And dont immediately call 911. Im sure people that have seizures get pissed every time they wake up in an ER.

[Wicked98Snake]

If my ol lady had a seizure, I'd kick her out of the house

Yeah if your old lady had a siezure I'd kick her out of my house too!

[slostang281]

Like some people said above, you just let them do their thing. Dont get in the way, you might just get hurt. Move the crap from around them so they dont get hurt. You can lay them on their left side so if they puke they dont aspirate, but thats it. And dont immediately call 911. Im sure people that have seizures get pissed every time they wake up in an ER.

If I had another one, I would want someone to at least take me to the ER but calling 911 is preferred so I wouldn't have to pay for damages to the person's car or get sued for hurting someone trying to get me in their car. Would I hate losing my license for minimum six months and have the medical advisory board check my medical and driving history every three to six months? Yes, but it's part of having seizures.

[SSMAN]

Quickly check their pockets and bill fold for money before they stop?

[mikec]

Yeah if your old lady had a seizure I'd kick her out of my house too!

Hell, I had to do just that last night...

[Danny46]

I've always been under the impression that as well as just making sure they don't further injure themselves, ie falling out of a chair or something to loosen anything tight that would restrict blood flow like a belt, wrist watch or shoes. Not sure how true that is, anyone?

[helosailor]

Just let them be and get shit out of their way so they don't hurt themselves.

Call 911 and follow their instructions.

My sister used to have them fairly often and now my niece has them at least weekly. It got to where we don't call 911 unless it lasts more than 5 minutes. For my niece, my sister carries rescue meds.

As already said, NEVER stick anything in their mouth, and don't try to restrain them unless they are about to hurt themselves.

Most of the time a seizure won't cause any lasting damage, and it will stop on its own, and the person will be sore, but fine. It's more important to find out the cause of them and address that. That said, if a person is having one for the first time, they need to go to the hospital to find out wtf is going on.

They are scary to witness and if you've dealt with them you probably wouldn't be quick to make jokes.

100% complete truth.
My Dad started having them about 3 months before he passed away and this is all spot on with what we were told. His were brought on by some medicine that the doctors tried for his Parkinson's. The seizures ended up causing a stroke, which he never recovered from.

[95ragtop]

I think the object in the mouth came from so that once the seizure is over the tongue doesn't restrict the airway when the patient is laying down. But if the item breaks or the patient breaks their teeth on it, they can cause an airway obstruction. Best is to let it run its course and then turn them on their side or try to sit them up if they are conscious. A lot of epileptics will know when they are going to have a seizure so they will lay down prior or clear objects out of the way.

[TonyMCev]

They are scary to witness and if you've dealt with them you probably wouldn't be quick to make jokes.

yes sir, it was the scariest thing i have had to deal with. i felt absolutely helpless not knowing what to do...

[LS1Goat]

I have had seizures when I was younger and while there is not much you can do but do not stick anything in their mouth. Choking on the tongue is impossible just like trying to lick your elbow. Just lay them on their side and let them do their thing. Another thing I would suggest is time it when a person starts to have one and call 911. If they have one for an extended period of time, they will start to have brain damage. I want to say 5 minutes is when brain damage starts. Maybe Dr Dave (or Dr Google) will chime in and verify that. Once out of it, get away from arms and legs reach as they could get violent without knowing it, they can have a ton of adrenaline. I was told about my last one when I was 15 I beat the shit out of 2 buffed paramedics and a nurse once in the ambulance and don't recall anything about that day after the seizure.

Had several seizures calls in my day, only one was a full blown (prolonged) Status epilepticus with no lucid interval. Main thing is not to panic.

Like has already been stated, you want them to leave them alone. Give them space and remove any objects in which they could do further harm themselves. Your safety is also a factor. Never put anything in anyone's mouth that is not conscious, alert, and oriented. If possible, roll them on their side as some patients may vomit and you want to try and maintain their airway and avoid aspiration. They will not choke on their tongues, so don't use a bite block that are still available in some first aid kits. Don't let anyone use a bite block or try to pry anyone's jaw open. They will usually ride it out in short order and wake up combative or groggy.

As a medic, we approach the situation with the chief concern outside of the ABCs, is what preceded the seizure event. I look for a medical bracelet. Is it a febrile seizure? Is it a result of some sort of head trauma? History of Epilepsy? History of diabetes? The problem with a prolong seizure is there are periods of partial or complete apnea (not breathing). This is when you should call EMS. When I was at Rural Metro, our first line in this situation is Airway management (put them on left side, if possible) and try to establish IV access. If not possible, then an IntraMuscular shot is next in order. We used Ativan under our guidelines for seizures. Then the next thing I'm going to do is give you some oxygen, take vitals, EKG, look at your oxygen saturation, blood sugar check, and obtain a history. Maybe ask you what your name is. What day, month, and year is it. To determine any lasting cognitive effects of the seizure. Then the rest our job is supportive care measures and deliver patient to definitive care(Hospital ER), if necessary. Continuous drug infusion may be necessary, but almost never in my cases. Now they've got nasal spray injectors of anti-seizure drugs that people can use like people who have dangerous allergic reactions carry Epi Pens.

The cause/event preceding the seizure and how alert and oriented the patient is what ultimately determines whether a trip to the ER is necessary. A lot of patients will sign our AMA form and opt out against our advice. Sometimes they really are just more frightened than anything. Don't always require a trip to the hospital. If there is no history of a prior seizure, I would always recommend you at the very least get a work up from your GP.

- Tim