First Aid For Seizures

A seizure is often described as haphazard electrical discharges of the brain that causes parts of the body to move erratically. There are a number of things that can trigger a seizure. Seizures are often the result of illness, head injury, stroke, aneurysm, low blood sugar, poisoning and high fever. Children up to age 5 are especially prone to fever-related seizures. Your role as rescuer is to make sure the victim doesn't get hurt. Seizure activity can appear many different ways. Seizures will almost always spontaneously stop, and the victim will have a period of drowsiness, confusion or sleep before gradual awakening.

Signs & Symptoms:
- Unresponsiveness
- Loss of muscle control with jerking motion of one or many parts of the body
- Loss of control of body functions
- Duration seconds to minutes

Tips:
- Do not force any object between victim's teeth.
- Do not hold victim down.
- Do not throw water on victim in attempt to stop seizure.
- Do not leave victim alone.
- Call for medical help.
- Prevent injury by removing objects that the victim could strike. Place cushioning material around victim, if possible.
- Stay with victim, monitoring for Breathing Problems.
- If victim bites his tongue and is bleeding, wait for seizure to stop before giving first aid for Bleeding.
- If you do not suspect head, neck or spine injury, place in Recovery Position after seizure stopped.
- If fever is the cause, treat by cooling until alert enough to take medication to lower temperature.
- Monitor for responsiveness and breathing.
- Seek medical attention.