Dealing With Epilepsy: A First-Aider’s Guide to Seizure First Aid
Updated October 2026 with current seizure First Aid guidance.
A seizure can be frightening to witness, especially if you have never seen one before.
A person may suddenly lose awareness, fall, stiffen, jerk, stare, or become confused.
The most important thing a first aider can do is stay calm and focus on seizure First Aid.
For most seizures, the goal is not to stop the seizure.
It is to keep the person safe until it ends.
Not All Seizures Look the Same
The term “grand mal seizure” is outdated.
Today, this type of seizure is usually called a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
But not every seizure involves falling and shaking.
Some seizures may cause a person to:
- Stare into space
- Become confused
- Make unusual repetitive movements
- Lose awareness
- Twitch or jerk
- Fall to the ground
- Become stiff and then develop rhythmic movements
The CDC notes that most seizures last only a few minutes. (cdc.gov)
Stay With the Person and Time the Seizure
One of the first things to do is note the time.
Knowing how long the seizure lasts can help determine whether emergency medical help is needed.
The Epilepsy Foundation summarizes basic seizure First Aid as:
Stay. Safe. Side.
Stay with the person.
Keep them safe.
Turn them onto their side when appropriate. (epilepsy.com)
Keep the Area Safe
During a convulsive seizure, move objects that could cause injury away from the person.
That may include:
- Furniture
- Sharp objects
- Hot items
- Glass
- Tools
- Electrical equipment
If possible, place something soft and flat underneath the person’s head.
Remove eyeglasses and loosen tight clothing around the neck.
Do not try to stop the person’s movements.
Do Not Restrain Someone Having a Seizure
Holding someone down does not stop a seizure.
It can cause injuries to both the person having the seizure and the person trying to help.
Allow the seizure to run its course while keeping the surrounding area as safe as possible. (epilepsy.com)
Never Put Anything in Their Mouth
This is one of the most persistent seizure myths.
A person cannot swallow their tongue.
Do not put:
- Fingers
- Spoons
- Wallets
- Cloth
- Medication
- Food
- Water
into the person’s mouth during a seizure.
Putting an object into the mouth can damage teeth, cause choking, or injure the jaw.
Wait until the person is fully awake and alert before giving food, drink, or medication. (epilepsy.com)
Turn the Person Onto Their Side
If the person is lying down and is not awake and alert, gently turn them onto their side with their mouth angled toward the ground.
This can help keep the airway clear and allow saliva or fluids to drain away. (cdc.gov)
The person may appear to stop breathing briefly during the stiffening phase of a tonic-clonic seizure.
Breathing often resumes as that phase ends.
Rescue breathing is generally not needed during the seizure itself solely because of these temporary breathing changes. (epilepsy.com)
When Should You Call 911 for a Seizure?
Not every seizure requires an ambulance.
Many people with epilepsy have known seizure patterns and recover without emergency treatment.
Call 911 when:
- The seizure lasts 5 minutes or longer
- Another seizure begins before the person fully recovers
- The person has difficulty breathing or waking afterward
- The seizure occurs in water
- The person is injured
- It is the person’s first known seizure
- The person is pregnant
- The person has diabetes and loses consciousness
- The person does not return to their usual state
- The person asks for medical help
These are among the emergency criteria recommended by the CDC and Epilepsy Foundation. (cdc.gov) (epilepsy.com)
What Should You Do After the Seizure?
After a seizure, the person may be:
- Confused
- Exhausted
- Frightened
- Embarrassed
- Sore
- Unable to remember what happened
Stay with them.
Speak calmly and simply.
Let them know they are safe and explain what happened.
Give them privacy when possible and discourage unnecessary crowds.
Do not expect them to immediately stand up and continue with their day.
Recovery can take time.
What About Seizure Rescue Medication?
Some people with epilepsy have a seizure action plan that includes prescribed rescue medication.
If you are a family member, caregiver, teacher, or other trained person who has been instructed how and when to administer that medication, follow the individual’s plan.
Do not give medication to someone simply because they are having a seizure unless you are authorized and trained to do so.
Emergency responders may use medications for prolonged or repeated seizures, but that is medical treatment rather than ordinary bystander First Aid.
When Would CPR Be Needed?
Most seizures do not require CPR.
But after the seizure ends, check the person.
If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally or are only gasping, call 911 and begin CPR.
If they are breathing normally but remain unconscious, keep them on their side and continue monitoring them until they recover or EMS arrives.
Seizure First Aid Is Mostly About Safety
You usually cannot stop a seizure once it begins.
What you can do is:
- Stay calm
- Stay with the person
- Time the seizure
- Protect them from injury
- Turn them onto their side when appropriate
- Keep objects out of their mouth
- Know when to call 911
- Reassure them afterward
Those simple actions can make an intimidating emergency much easier to manage.
Learn CPR and First Aid Before an Emergency
In-Pulse CPR provides hands-on American Heart Association CPR, AED, BLS, and First Aid training.
👉 View Upcoming CPR and First Aid Classes
Businesses, schools, churches, childcare organizations, and other groups can also schedule private training.
👉 Learn About Private On-Site CPR and First Aid Training
Knowing what not to do during a seizure can be just as important as knowing what to do.
Updated October 2026: This article has been substantially revised to reflect current CDC and Epilepsy Foundation recommendations for seizure First Aid, including when to call 911, side positioning, seizure timing, avoiding restraint, and keeping objects out of the person’s mouth.
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