Essential Seizure First Aid: What You Need to Know for Emergencies

Essential Seizure First Aid: What You Need to Know for Emergencies

A seizure can happen without warning—at a school, a market, in traffic, or even at home. Imagine someone suddenly falling, their body shaking, or staring into space and not responding. What would you do? Would you panic, freeze, or help? Most people have no idea what seizure first aid actually involves. Some might wrongly try to hold the person down or insert something in their mouth.

These mistakes can cause injury, breathing problems, or even make the situation worse. If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, it may become status epilepticus—a medical emergency. This guide explains what to do, when to act, and how to stay prepared.

Types of Seizures and What Causes Them

Seizures don’t always look the same. Some involve full-body shaking. Others might just cause someone to stare blankly for a few seconds. Seizures can last a few seconds or several minutes. The cause can range from epilepsy to low blood sugar, or even a high fever in children. In some cases, people may not even realize they had a seizure until someone else notices it.

First-time seizures can feel confusing or scary for both the person and those around them. Understanding the types and causes can help with fast seizure first aid and even prevent injury or sudden unexpected death in high-risk situations.

Types of Seizures 

Type

What Happens

Generalized Seizures

Affects both sides of the brain; the person may fall, shake, or lose awareness.

Focal Seizures

It affects one area of the brain and may cause twitching or confusion.

Absence Seizures

Short “blank out” moments, often in children, may look like daydreaming.

1. Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common causes of frequent seizures. It can develop from a head injury, stroke, or family history. Not all seizures mean someone has epilepsy, but if they happen more than once without a known cause, doctors may diagnose it. Seizure control often involves medications, regular sleep, and avoiding triggers.

2. High Fever

Children between 6 months and 5 years may experience febrile seizures due to sudden spikes in body temperature. These usually last less than 5 minutes but can be frightening to watch. Though most febrile seizures aren’t dangerous, they must be monitored to rule out infections like meningitis.

3. Low Blood Sugar

People with diabetes may have seizures if their blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia). This can happen if they skip meals, overdose on insulin, or exercise more than usual. Symptoms often include confusion, sweating, and loss of consciousness before a seizure occurs. Quick treatment is critical.

4. Head Trauma

A traumatic brain injury can damage nerve pathways and increase the risk of new onset seizures. This might happen after a car accident, a fall, or a sports injury. Even if the seizure happens weeks or months later, it may be connected to the original trauma. Ongoing health care follow-up is essential.

5. Other Factors

Other risk factors include stroke, brain infections, sleep deprivation, certain drugs, or pregnancy complications like eclampsia. For pregnant women, seizures can be dangerous to both mother and baby, increasing the risk of placental abruption, fetal loss, and status epilepticus. In these cases, fast medical emergency response is needed.

How Symptoms Change With Seizure Type

  • A generalized seizure might start without warning, causing stiff muscles, jerking, and unconsciousness.
  • In a focal seizure, a person may feel strange sensations, smell something odd, or have muscle twitching on one side of the body.
  • An absence seizure may involve staring, blinking, or slight lip movements—often missed or mistaken for daydreaming.

Understanding these differences can help with fast identification, safer first aid, and timely help from a health care team.

Early Signs of a Seizure You Shouldn’t Ignore

Recognizing a seizure before it happens can make seizure first aid faster and more effective. Not everyone gets a warning, but many people experience something called an aura—a strange feeling or sensation that tells them a seizure might be coming. Some say they suddenly smell burning rubber. Others describe a wave of nausea, fear, or blurred vision. In children, it could look like a blank stare or unusual stillness. These signs can be missed if you don’t know what to look for.

Think about this: someone sitting next to you starts blinking fast, fidgeting strangely, or acting confused—would you know they might be having a seizure?

Common Warning Signs Before a Seizure

  • Aura: Strange smells, sounds, or tastes; visual flashes; sudden fear or joy.
  • Confusion: Trouble speaking, blank staring, or unsteady walking.
  • Repetitive Movements: Lip-smacking, chewing motions, or hand rubbing.
  • Sudden Emotional Shift: Panic, irritation, or detachment without reason.
  • Headache or Nausea: Especially if followed by blank staring or twitching.

What Happens During Different Seizures

Seizure Type

During the Seizure

Generalized Seizures

Full-body jerking, stiff limbs, loss of consciousness, breathing problems may occur.

Focal Seizures

Twitching in one part of the body, confusion, sudden fear, or deja vu.

Absence Seizures

Staring, blinking, chewing motions, no response for several seconds.

Atonic Seizures

Sudden muscle loss, person may drop things or collapse.

Myoclonic Seizures

Quick muscle jerks, often in arms or legs; lasts only seconds.

What Not to Confuse with a Seizure

Some conditions look like seizures but are not. For example:

  • Fainting (syncope): Often caused by low blood pressure or standing too long. Unlike seizures, people usually remember what happened.
  • Panic attacks: May cause shaking and fast breathing, but the person stays aware.
  • Sleep disorders: Sudden movements during sleep or sleepwalking can look like seizures.
  • Tics: Involuntary muscle twitches in conditions like Tourette’s may seem seizure-like but are different.
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Can cause confusion or passing out, especially in diabetes, but doesn’t always include jerking.

Immediate First Aid Steps During a Seizure

When someone collapses and starts shaking or becomes unresponsive, every second counts. Seizure first aid isn’t about doing something complex—it’s about staying calm and making sure the person is safe. Many people panic or freeze, unsure of what to do. \Others might make dangerous mistakes, like trying to hold the person down or putting something in their mouth. These actions can cause more harm. Instead, a few simple, correct steps can reduce the chance of injury, breathing problems, or even sudden unexpected death—especially if the seizure lasts more than a few minutes. Here’s what to do:

Stay Calm and Time the Seizure

Start by noting the time when the seizure begins. Most seizures last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Timing helps doctors later and also tells you when it’s an emergency. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, it could be status epilepticus, a medical emergency needing fast care.

Protect the Person From Injury

Quickly remove nearby sharp or hard objects like chairs or glass. If they’re on a bed, remove pillows. On the floor, place something soft—like a folded jacket—under their head. This helps prevent head injury from banging against the ground during convulsions.

Do NOT Restrain or Put Anything in Their Mouth

Never try to stop the movements or hold the person down. It won’t stop the seizure and can cause broken bones or joint injuries. Also, don’t put anything in their mouth—not even water or medicine. This can lead to choking or damage to teeth and jaw.

Turn Them on Their Side After the Seizure

When the jerking stops, gently roll the person onto their side. This “recovery position” helps keep the airway open and allows any saliva or vomit to drain out. It reduces breathing problems and lowers the risk of choking.

When to Call Emergency Services

Call for emergency help if:

  • It’s their first seizure

  • The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
  • They get injured (head trauma, fall)
  • They have trouble breathing or don’t wake up
  • They’re pregnant, have diabetes, or are in water during the seizure

These situations carry an increased risk of complications, and waiting too long can make recovery harder or even lead to death. Always inform their health care team if this is an ongoing condition, like epilepsy or frequent seizures.

What to Do After a Seizure Ends

When a seizure ends, it doesn’t mean the person is fully okay. They may be confused, exhausted, or scared. Some might not remember what just happened. Others may feel embarrassed or emotional. This recovery period can last minutes or even hours. If you’re with someone who’s had a seizure, your support matters in that moment.

Rushing them, asking too many questions, or offering food or drink right away can do more harm than good. Instead, focus on safety, comfort, and observation. Especially in new-onset seizures or when frequent seizures suddenly change in pattern, what you do next can help your health care team better understand the cause and reduce risk factors for future episodes.

Comfort and Reassure the Person

Once the person starts waking up, speak gently. Let them know where they are and that the seizure is over. Don’t assume they’re fully alert—use simple words and give them time to respond. Stay calm. Panic or rushing can increase their anxiety.

Monitor Breathing and Responsiveness

Check if they’re breathing normally. Look at their chest to see if it’s rising evenly. If they’re still unresponsive after a few minutes, call for emergency help. For people with epilepsy, breathing may take a little time to return to normal.

Document What Happened

Make notes: How long did the seizure last? What kind of movements did you see? Did they fall? Lose consciousness? This information helps with diagnosis and seizure control, especially when shared with their doctor or health care team.

Don’t Offer Food or Drink Right Away

Their mouth and throat might still be uncoordinated. Offering water, food, or medicine too soon can cause choking. Wait until they are fully awake, sitting upright, and speaking clearly before allowing anything by mouth.

Seizure First Aid for Children and Infants 

Babies and children need special care during seizures—gentle handling, safe surroundings, and clear airways help prevent injury, breathing problems, and long-term complications.

Special Care Tips for Babies and Young Children

  • Lay the baby on a flat, soft surface (never on your lap during jerking).
  • Turn their head slightly to the side to keep the airway clear.
  • Remove nearby toys, bottles, or blankets that could block breathing.
  • Don’t try to stop their movements or force them awake.
  • Time the seizure and note any signs like eye rolling or body stiffening.

Febrile Seizures: What Parents Need to Know 

Febrile seizures happen in infants and young children when a fever rises quickly, often during flu, ear infections, or viral illnesses. The child may suddenly stiffen, jerk their arms or legs, or roll their eyes. These usually last under 5 minutes and often don’t return.

But for first-time events, or if the seizure lasts longer, seek medical emergency care. Babies with frequent seizures, high fever with no known cause, or a family history of epilepsy should be evaluated by a doctor. While most cases are not dangerous, ignoring patterns can delay treatment and increase risk factors like status epilepticus.

Comforting and Protecting Kids During and After a Seizure

  • Speak gently and slowly—don’t shout or rush.
  • Keep the room quiet and lights dim.
  • Let them rest in a safe space after the seizure.
  • Don’t give food, drink, or medicine until fully alert.
  • Avoid carrying them unless necessary and they’re fully awake.
  • Let them sleep after the episode—it helps with recovery.
  • Watch for blurred vision, vomiting, or trouble breathing.
  • Note if this is a first seizure or if they have frequent seizures.
  • Update the health care team with details of what you saw.
  • Ask if an emergency rescue medication should be kept at home.

Conclusion: Know What to Do, When It Counts

Seizures can happen without warning—in children, adults, or even newborns. Knowing what to do in those first few minutes can prevent injury, reduce risk factors, and sometimes even save a life. Whether it’s a febrile seizure in a toddler or a generalized seizure in an adult, your calm response and quick action matter.

Learn to spot the signs, act with care, and follow up with a trusted health care team. If you or a loved one experiences frequent seizures, the experts at SRM Global Hospitals are ready to help, offering expert care, diagnosis, and long-term seizure control strategies tailored to your needs.

FAQs 

1. Should I call for help after every seizure?

Not always. Call if it’s the first seizure, the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, or the person has trouble breathing, is pregnant, or injured.

2. Can someone die during a seizure?

Yes, although rare, sudden unexpected death can happen, especially in people with uncontrolled seizures. Timely care helps reduce this risk.

3. Should I put something in their mouth?

No. This can cause choking or injury. Never place anything in a person’s mouth during a seizure.

4. Are seizures always caused by epilepsy?

No. Other causes include low blood sugar, head injury, stroke, and high fever in children.

5. Can kids outgrow febrile seizures?

Yes. Most children stop having them by age 5 or 6. But always consult a doctor after the first episode.