Seizure First Aid: What to Do During a Fit

Watching someone suddenly fall, stiffen or develop jerking movements can be frightening. Knowing what to do—and what not to do—can help protect them from injury.

The most important principle of seizure first aid is simple: keep the person safe, time the seizure and stay with them.

What should you do when someone has a seizure?

1. Stay calm and stay with them

Stay with the person and reassure them calmly when possible. Do not leave them alone while the seizure is happening.

2. Protect them from injury

If they fall, help protect their head. Move nearby sharp, hot or dangerous objects away. Loosen tight clothing around the neck if safe. Do not hold their arms or legs down.

3. Time the seizure

Note when the seizure begins. A convulsive seizure lasting five minutes or longer is a medical emergency.

4. Never put anything in their mouth

Do not put a spoon, cloth, fingers, water, tablets or any object into the person's mouth. A person cannot swallow their tongue, and forcing objects into the mouth can cause injury. Do not give food, drink or oral medicines until they are fully alert and able to swallow safely.

5. Help them recover safely

When the convulsions stop, check whether they are breathing normally. If they remain unconscious or are not fully alert, gently turn them onto their side when safe, unless a suspected injury makes movement unsafe. Stay with them until they recover.

When should you call emergency services?

Seek emergency help if the seizure lasts five minutes or longer; another seizure starts before the person recovers; it is their first seizure; they have breathing difficulties or a serious injury; or the seizure happens in water. If they are not breathing normally after the seizure, call emergency services immediately and follow the dispatcher's instructions.

Does every seizure mean epilepsy?

No. A seizure is an episode that can have different causes. Epilepsy is a neurological condition associated with a tendency to have recurrent unprovoked seizures. A single seizure does not automatically establish epilepsy, and medical assessment helps determine the cause.

What should you never do during a seizure?

Do not restrain the person, put anything in their mouth, give food or drink while awareness is impaired, or force them to stand immediately after the seizure. Protect them from injury and allow them time to recover.

How can families prepare?

If someone has epilepsy, learn their seizure action plan, know when emergency help is needed, and understand whether prescribed rescue medication is part of their plan. Only give rescue medication if you have been appropriately instructed and follow the individual plan. Do not give someone else's medication.

Frequently asked questions

Should I put a spoon in someone's mouth during a seizure?

No. Never put a spoon, cloth, fingers or another object into the mouth. This can cause injury, and a person cannot swallow their tongue.

Should I hold their hands and legs to stop the jerking?

No. Do not restrain the person. Move dangerous objects away and protect their head instead.

When does a seizure become an emergency?

Call emergency services for a first seizure, a seizure lasting five minutes or longer, repeated seizures without recovery, breathing difficulty, serious injury or a seizure in water.

Should I turn someone onto their side?

After the convulsions stop, gently turn them onto their side if they remain unresponsive and it is safe to do so.

Does one seizure mean epilepsy?

No. Seizures can have different causes. Medical assessment helps determine what happened and whether further investigation or treatment is needed.

Medical-information disclaimer

This article is for general health education and does not replace emergency care or individual medical advice. Follow the person's prescribed seizure action plan when available. Call emergency services for a first seizure, a seizure lasting five minutes or longer, repeated seizures without recovery, breathing difficulties, serious injury or a seizure in water. Do not delay emergency assistance while attempting first aid.