Assisting During Seizures: What You Need to Know
Learn how to assist someone during a seizure with confidence and care. Discover essential first aid steps, what to do and avoid, and when to seek medical help.
Written by Dr.Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 10th Jun, 2025
Seizures can be frightening for those who experience them and the people around them. Knowing how to help someone during a seizure is crucial for their safety and well-being, whether you're a family member, friend, colleague, or caregiver.
What is a Seizure?
A seizure happens when there’s a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain that messes with its normal function. This can cause symptoms like shaking, losing consciousness, or unusual movements. Seizures are most often linked to epilepsy, but they can also be triggered by things like head injuries, infections, or a high fever.
Seizures can vary a lot—some are quick and mild, while others can cause more noticeable effects. No matter how severe or brief the seizure is, it’s important to know how to help and make sure the person stays safe.
Recognising a Seizure
Seizures can manifest in different ways, but common signs include:
Convulsions or jerking movements (often seen in tonic-clonic seizures)
Staring spells or unresponsiveness (common in absence seizures)
Uncontrolled twitching or movements in one part of the body (focal seizures)
Loss of awareness or consciousness
Sudden muscle weakness or collapsing (seen in atonic seizures)
It’s important to remember that not all seizures involve visible convulsions. Some individuals may have subtle symptoms, such as a blank stare or repetitive actions like lip-smacking. If you're unsure whether someone is having a seizure, it’s best to take action and provide help.
How to Assist Someone During a Seizure
When someone is having a seizure, it’s very common to feel unsure about what to do. However, staying calm and acting quickly can ensure the person’s safety and minimise any potential harm. Here’s a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to assist someone during a seizure:
1. Stay Calm and Reassure Others
The most important thing you can do is stay calm. Seizures can be unsettling, but panicking won’t help. Take a deep breath and focus on the individual in need. If other people are around, try to reassure them and keep them at a safe distance, especially if the person is having a tonic-clonic (convulsive) seizure.
2. Ensure the Person’s Safety
Move any nearby objects that could cause harm to the person during the seizure. This includes sharp objects, furniture, or anything they might bump into. If the person is near a hard surface or corner, gently guide them away from it.
If the person is standing, try to help them lie down gently on the ground. You may need to support them as they fall to prevent them from hitting the ground hard. Avoid trying to catch them in mid-fall, as this could cause injury to both of you.
3. Protect Their Head
During a seizure, there is a risk of head injury from convulsions or falling. If possible, place something soft (like a jacket, pillow, or folded clothing) under the person's head to protect it from impact. Don’t try to hold the person down or restrain their movements, as this could lead to injuries.
4. Position Them on Their Side
Once the person is on the ground, try to position them on their side. This helps keep the airway clear and prevents the risk of choking, as it allows any saliva or vomit to drain out of the mouth. This position also reduces the risk of aspiration (inhalation of fluid into the lungs).
5. Do Not Put Anything in Their Mouth
It’s a common misconception that you should place something in the person’s mouth during a seizure. Never put your hands, a spoon, or any other objects in the person’s mouth, as doing so could result in injury to both you and the person having the seizure. The person cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure, so this is not something to worry about.
Instead, focus on keeping the airway clear and avoiding anything that might obstruct breathing.
6. Time of the Seizure
It’s essential to monitor the duration of the seizure. Most seizures last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, but it’s helpful to keep track of the time so you can report it to medical professionals if needed. If the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes, or if another seizure follows immediately, seek emergency medical help. Prolonged seizures (status epilepticus) can be life-threatening and require immediate intervention.
7. Stay With Them
Once the seizure ends, the person may be confused, disoriented, or even frightened. They may not immediately recognise their surroundings or remember what happened. Stay with them and provide calm reassurance. Speak in a gentle, comforting tone and let them know they are safe.
Some people may experience a postictal state, which can involve grogginess, disorientation, or a need for rest. Offer them a quiet space to recover and remain by their side until they fully regain their awareness.
8. Offer Water After the Seizure
Once the person has regained consciousness and appears alert, they may be thirsty or need some time to recover. Offering water is a good way to help them rehydrate and settle down. However, don’t try to force them to drink if they seem confused or uncoordinated. Wait until they are fully alert.
If the person has epilepsy or another condition that causes seizures, they may have specific instructions about what to do after the seizure. In some cases, they may need to take medication or rest for a while.
9. Look for a Medical ID
Some individuals with epilepsy wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace that indicates their condition. If the person is wearing one, it may provide useful information such as emergency contact details, the type of epilepsy they have, or instructions on managing their seizures. If no medical ID is available, be sure to gather as much information as possible for the emergency services if necessary.
When to Seek Medical Help
If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or if another seizure happens right after the first one, it’s important to get medical help straight away. You should also call for help if the person gets injured during the seizure or if you're worried about their breathing or whether they're fully awake afterwards.
Sometimes, after a seizure, the person might need to see their doctor to check how they’re doing and make any changes to their treatment plan if needed.
Conclusion
Assisting someone during a seizure is a vital skill that can make a significant difference in their safety and well-being. By staying calm, ensuring the person’s safety, and following the steps outlined above, you can help reduce the risk of injury and provide much-needed support during what can be a frightening experience.
Seizures may be distressing, but with the right knowledge and actions, you can offer crucial assistance and help the person recover safely. Educating yourself about how to respond to seizures can make you a more effective and supportive presence when a seizure occurs.
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