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Seizures
In most
cases, seizures are not life-threatening and are relatively easy to manage.
Most adolescent or adult seizure victims suffer from epilepsy. In some cases,
seizures can be caused by other medical conditions. Be concerned if the seizure
immediately follows an injury to the head, if the victim is pregnant, or if the
victim has diabetes.
Seizures in children are often caused by high fever. Management for a febrile
seizure may be different.
- Remain calm. Anxiety is contagious, but so is serenity. As long as you are
calm, other bystanders will follow suit.
- Note the time. It's important to time the seizure from the beginning of
convulsions to the end of convulsions. A seizure lasting more than five minutes
will be treated differently than a shorter one. Seizures look very scary and
unless a clock or watch is used, it can be easy to overestimate the duration of
the seizure.
- Clear hard or sharp objects away from the vicinity of the victim. Seizures
can be violent enough to injure a victim.
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck, especially ties or collars. These
items may restrict breathing or block the airway.
- Pad under the head with a pillow or rolled-up jacket.
- If possible, roll the victim to his or her left side. This way, sputum or
vomit will drain out of the mouth away from the airway. DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN
THE VICTIM'S MOUTH! Seizure victims do not swallow their tongues.
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If the
seizure activity (convulsions) last more than five (5) minutes, call assistance.
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After the
seizure, the victim will slowly regain consciousness, if he or she does not
begin to wake up within a few minutes, call assistance.
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If the
victim stops breathing after the seizure, call assistance and begin CPR.
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First Aid Case List -
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