Seizure First Aid: What to Do When Someone Has a Seizure
Seizure First Aid: What to Do When Someone Has a Seizure
Witnessing a seizure for the first time can be frightening. But the most important thing to know is this: in the vast majority of cases, the right response is calm reassurance and protection — not intervention. Knowing what to do, and equally what not to do, can make a genuine difference to someone's safety.
Around 1 in 20 people will experience at least one seizure during their lifetime.[1] That means most of us are likely to witness one at some point — whether in a family member, a colleague, or a stranger in public. Yet surveys consistently show that public knowledge of correct seizure first aid remains worryingly low, with many people still believing outdated or harmful myths about what to do.[2]
This guide walks through the eight essential steps of seizure first aid, what to do once a seizure has passed, when to call emergency services, and how to make everyday environments safer for someone living with epilepsy.
How Well Does the Public Know Seizure First Aid?
Survey data highlights significant gaps in public knowledge — and some persistent myths that can cause harm.
Public Knowledge of Correct Seizure First Aid Responses — % Answering Correctly
Source: Epilepsy Action — Public attitudes survey; Epilepsy Society bystander awareness research.[2] Figures are approximate and vary across surveys.
The 8 Steps of Seizure First Aid
Follow these steps in order. Most seizures require no medical intervention — your role is to keep the person safe and stay with them.
The most important thing you can do in the first moments of a seizure is remain composed. Your calm, steady presence directly affects how safe and supported the person feels when they regain awareness. Panic can also lead to well-meaning but harmful actions — such as restraining the person or trying to put something in their mouth.
Remember: most seizures last only one to two minutes and stop on their own without any medical intervention.[3] The seizure itself, while frightening to observe, is not usually dangerous provided the environment is safe.
- Take a breath — the seizure will most likely stop by itself within minutes
- Stay with the person throughout the entire episode
- Calmly ask bystanders to give the person space
Once you have identified that a seizure is occurring, your immediate priority is to remove anything in the surrounding area that could cause injury. Sharp objects, hard furniture edges, hot drinks, and hard floors all pose real risks during convulsive movements. You cannot and should not try to stop the seizure — but you can make the environment as safe as possible around it.[4]
- Move sharp objects, furniture, and hard items away from the person
- If outdoors, guide them away from roads or water if you can do so safely before or at the very start of a seizure
- Do not attempt to move the person once the seizure is in progress, unless they are in immediate danger
- Do not restrain their movements — this can cause injury to both of you
Once convulsive movements slow or stop — or if the person is unconscious but breathing — gently roll them onto their side into the recovery position. This is one of the most important steps: it prevents saliva, vomit, or the tongue from blocking the airway. Place something soft beneath their head — a folded jacket or bag — to cushion it from the ground.[4]
During an active tonic-clonic seizure with strong convulsions, wait until movements have reduced before attempting to reposition — trying to do so during the height of the seizure may be impossible and could cause injury.
- Roll the person gently onto their side — left or right side is fine
- Tilt the head back slightly to keep the airway open
- Place something soft under the head
- Keep them in this position until they are fully conscious and aware
As soon as you recognise that a seizure is happening, note the time. Seizure duration is one of the most important pieces of information for medical professionals and for the person themselves — especially if they are keeping a seizure diary. It also determines whether emergency services need to be called.[3]
If you can, note when the seizure started, when movements stopped, and how long the recovery period lasted. If you have a smartphone, the clock or a seizure tracking app can help. This information is valuable to pass on to the person and their neurologist.
- Time the seizure started
- Time convulsions or movements stopped
- How long recovery and confusion lasted
- Any warning signs (aura) you observed before the seizure
- If possible, note what happened during — the type of movements, whether eyes were open or closed
"You don't need medical training to help someone through a seizure — you need calm, presence, and the knowledge of what not to do."
— NuroEase Epilepsy SupportThis is perhaps the most persistent myth in seizure first aid: the idea that a person having a seizure could "swallow their tongue" and that something should be placed in their mouth to prevent it. This is not possible — you cannot swallow your own tongue. Putting fingers, spoons, or any object into someone's mouth during a seizure is dangerous and can cause broken teeth, jaw injuries, or serious injury to the person helping.[5]
It is physically impossible to swallow your own tongue. This myth has persisted for generations but has no medical basis. Placing anything in the mouth during a seizure is not only unnecessary — it is one of the most common causes of injury during a seizure response. Never do it.
- Never put fingers, spoons, or any object into the person's mouth
- Never try to hold the tongue or jaw in place
- Instead, use the recovery position to protect the airway naturally
After a seizure ends, many people enter a postictal phase — a period of confusion, disorientation, fatigue, and sometimes distress that can last from a few minutes to over an hour. This is a normal part of how the brain recovers after a seizure. The person may not know where they are, may feel embarrassed, or may be frightened. Your calm presence during this time is just as important as during the seizure itself.[3]
- Stay with them — do not leave until they are fully alert and oriented
- Speak calmly and gently explain what happened
- Reassure them — many people feel confused or embarrassed afterwards
- Offer water once they are fully alert and able to swallow safely
- Allow them to rest — fatigue after a seizure is normal and may last for hours
- Ask if they have an epilepsy plan or medical ID that contains instructions
When to Call Emergency Services
Most seizures do not require an ambulance. But in the following situations, call 999 immediately.
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes — this is a medical emergency known as status epilepticus[4]
- A second seizure starts shortly after the first without the person regaining full consciousness
- The person does not regain consciousness or is not breathing after the seizure stops
- The person is injured during the seizure
- The seizure occurs in water
- The person is pregnant
- It is the person's first known seizure
- You are unsure whether it is a seizure or another medical event
A seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes — or a series of seizures without recovery between them — is called status epilepticus. This requires immediate emergency treatment. Do not wait to see if it stops on its own. Call 999 and stay with the person until help arrives.
Do vs Don't — Quick Reference
A summary of the most important actions and the myths that still put people at risk.
Making Your Home & Environment Safer
For people living with epilepsy, small changes to the home and daily routine can significantly reduce the risk of injury during a seizure.
Seizures can happen at any time, and for many people the home is where they spend the most time. Planning ahead — rather than reacting in the moment — is the most effective approach to safety. Many of these adjustments are simple and inexpensive but can make a real difference.[6]
- Bedroom: Use an anti-suffocation pillow designed for people with epilepsy; consider a seizure monitor or alarm for night-time safety
- Bathroom: Shower rather than bath where possible; use a shower seat and non-slip mat; consider a bathroom door that opens outward or is unlockable from outside
- Kitchen: Use a microwave rather than hob where possible; avoid carrying hot liquids when alone; use a kettle tipper
- Floors & furniture: Remove sharp-edged coffee tables or add corner protectors; use rugs with non-slip backing
- Medical ID: Wear a medical alert bracelet or carry a card with your epilepsy diagnosis, medication, and emergency contacts
- Routine: Consistent sleep, regular meals, and stress management all help reduce seizure frequency — which in turn reduces risk[7]
For a full in-depth resource covering seizure types, treatments, triggers, nutrition, and age-specific guidance — get the NuroEase Epilepsy Support Guide for just £5. It has been written to be a practical companion for people living with epilepsy and their families.
NuroEase Support
Knowledge Is the Best First Aid
NuroEase offers personalised one-to-one consultations, educational resources, and coming soon — high-quality supplements formulated to support neurological health. Whether you're living with epilepsy or supporting someone who is, our sessions can help you feel better prepared and more confident day to day.
References & Sources
- NHS — Epilepsy: Overview. nhs.uk (accessed March 2026)
- Epilepsy Action — Public Attitudes to Epilepsy Survey. epilepsy.org.uk (2019)
- Epilepsy Society — Seizure First Aid. epilepsysociety.org.uk (accessed March 2026)
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) — NG217: Epilepsies in children, young people and adults. nice.org.uk (2022)
- St John Ambulance — Epileptic Seizure First Aid. sja.org.uk (accessed March 2026)
- Epilepsy Action — Safety and Epilepsy. epilepsy.org.uk (accessed March 2026)
- Nakken KO et al. — Does physical activity influence the seizure frequency in adults with epilepsy? Seizure, 2010; 19(9): 539–542