First aid

Having personally witnessed a seizure incident, I can attest to how important it is to stay calm and act promptly. Timing the seizure with a watch can be lifesaving because if it lasts more than five minutes or if a second seizure occurs, emergency services should be called immediately. One key step I learned was to protect the person from injury by removing any nearby hard or sharp objects and placing something soft under their head. It’s critical to never restrain the person or put anything in their mouth, which could cause choking or other harm. If the seizure happens in water, supporting the person's head and keeping their face above water is essential to prevent drowning. Placing them gently on their side helps keep the airway clear and allows any fluids to drain. In my experience, staying with the person throughout the seizure and reassuring them afterwards was comforting to both of us. If the person is pregnant, injured, or this is their first seizure, calling an ambulance ensures they receive the timely medical care they may need. Overall, first aid for seizures is about being prepared, calm, and focused on safety. For anyone interested, many organizations offer free downloadable guides and posters that are handy resources to keep at home or work.