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What to do during an epilepsy seizure

Stay calm (and remain with the person)
About Epilepsy

What to do during an epilepsy seizure?

It should be possible for every person confronted with epilepsy to have in their hands all the necessary information to know how to manage their life with epilepsy.

Stay calm
Monitor the duration of the seizure (seconds, minutes).

Seek medical attention if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
Let the seizure run its course. Do not attempt to stop the seizure.
Remove harmful or sharp objects that the person may use to harm themselves.
Place something soft under their head.
Carefully lay the person on their side, with their head tilted slightly backward (stable side position). This helps prevent choking if there is saliva or blood in their mouth, allowing it to flow out.
  • Do not put anything in the person’s mouth.
  • Do not attempt mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
  • Do not pour water on the person’s face.
  • Do not give the person anything to drink.
Certain seizures require medical attention:

  • A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes.
  • If the person sustains an injury during the seizure.
  • If the person has difficulty breathing.
  • If the person experiences multiple seizures in quick succession.
  • If the seizure is markedly different from what the person usually experiences.
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