Seizure First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do) When Someone Has a Seizure

A seizure can be frightening to witness, especially when the person loses awareness or has sudden, uncontrolled movements. The most helpful response is not to stop the seizure. It is to protect the person from injury, monitor them, and recognize when emergency medical help is needed.

Whether you are a parent, caregiver, teacher, coach, coworker, or bystander, knowing basic seizure first aid can help you stay calm and respond safely.

This guide follows general first-aid recommendations from the American Red Cross, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and seizure-care topics included in HSI First Aid | CPR AED programs.

Important: This information is for first-aid education and does not replace medical evaluation or hands-on training. If you are unsure whether a person is having a medical emergency, call 911.

What Is a Seizure?

A seizure occurs when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can look very different from one person to another. Someone may experience:

• Stiffening or rhythmic jerking of the arms and legs
• A temporary loss of consciousness
• Staring or appearing unresponsive
• Repetitive movements, such as lip smacking or chewing
• Sudden confusion or unusual behavior
• A brief loss of muscle control
• Drowsiness or disorientation after the event

A generalized convulsive seizure is the type many people picture when they hear the word “seizure,” but not every seizure involves full-body shaking. Regardless of the appearance, focus on scene safety, protecting the person, timing the event, and monitoring their breathing and responsiveness.

What to Do During a Seizure

1. Stay calm and stay with the person

Your calm presence can help reduce confusion and panic. Ask bystanders to give the person room and protect their privacy.

Do not leave the person alone unless you must call 911 or get emergency equipment. If another person is nearby, ask them to make the call while you remain with the person having the seizure.

Speak calmly and reassure them, even if they do not appear able to hear you.

2. Make the area safer

Move nearby hazards away from the person rather than trying to move the person unnecessarily. Clear away:

• Chairs, tables, and other hard furniture
• Sharp or hot objects
• Glass, tools, or equipment
• Hot drinks or open flames
• Bags, cords, or objects that could cause a fall or entanglement

If the person is standing or sitting and begins to lose control, gently guide them to the floor if you can do so safely. Do not attempt to catch or carry them unless there is an immediate danger.

3. Protect the person's head

Place something soft and flat under the person's head, such as a folded jacket or towel. This can help reduce the chance of a head injury while the person is moving.

Loosen tight clothing around the neck, including a tie, scarf, or tight collar, if you can do so without putting yourself at risk.

4. Time the seizure

Use a watch, phone, or clock to note when the seizure begins. Timing is important because a seizure lasting longer than five minutes requires emergency medical attention.

If possible, note what you observe:

• What the person was doing before the seizure
• Whether they appeared to lose consciousness
• How the movements began
• How long the seizure lasted
• Whether they sustained an injury
• How they responded afterward

This information can help emergency responders and healthcare professionals.

5. Position the person safely

If it is possible to do so without forcing or injuring the person, gently turn them onto their side. Positioning the mouth toward the ground can help fluids drain and may help keep the airway clearer.

If turning the person during active movements is difficult or unsafe, clear the area, protect the head, and wait until the movements lessen. Then place the person in a recovery position and continue monitoring them.

Do not force the person into a position or hold their arms and legs down.

6. Monitor breathing and responsiveness

Most seizures end on their own, and the person may gradually begin breathing normally and responding again. After the seizure, continue checking:

• Is the person breathing normally?
• Do they respond when you speak to them?
• Do they have a serious injury?
• Are they becoming more alert?

It is common for someone to be tired, confused, or disoriented after a seizure. Stay with them until they are awake and able to respond appropriately.

What Never to Do During a Seizure

Some common seizure myths can lead to serious injury. Avoid these actions.

Do not restrain the person

Do not hold the person down or try to stop the jerking movements. Restraining them can cause muscle, joint, or other injuries. It may also put you in a position where you are accidentally struck.

Instead, remove hazards, protect the head, and allow the seizure to run its course.

Do not put anything in the person's mouth

Never place fingers, a spoon, a wallet, a cloth, or another object between the person's teeth. Do not try to force the mouth open.

A person cannot swallow their tongue. Putting an object in the mouth can cause broken teeth, choking, airway obstruction, or a serious bite injury to the responder.

Do not give food, water, or pills

Do not give anything by mouth while the person is having a seizure or while they are confused and not fully alert. They may be unable to swallow safely and could choke.

If the person has a prescribed rescue medication plan, only assist with medication when it is permitted by the person's care plan, your level of training, and applicable local procedures. Never give someone else's medication.

Do not perform CPR during active seizure movements

Do not attempt mouth-to-mouth breathing or chest compressions while the person is actively seizing. Focus on protecting them and monitoring their breathing.

After the seizure ends, check responsiveness and breathing. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 911, begin CPR according to your training, and use an AED if one is available.

Do not move the person unless necessary

Avoid dragging or carrying the person unless they are in immediate danger from traffic, fire, water, machinery, or another serious hazard. When movement is necessary, prioritize safety and ask others for help.

When to Call 911

Call 911 or your local emergency number if:

• The seizure lasts longer than five minutes
• Another seizure begins before the person fully recovers
• The person has trouble breathing or does not wake up normally afterward
• It is the person's first known seizure
• The cause of the seizure is unknown
• The person is seriously injured
• The seizure happens in water
• The person is pregnant
• The person has a serious medical condition
• The seizure occurs in a young child, older adult, or someone with an unusual or concerning presentation
• You are uncertain about the person's condition

When calling, describe what you see and provide the seizure's start time, if known. Send someone to meet responders if the location is difficult to find.

What to Do After the Seizure

Once the movements stop:

• Check breathing and responsiveness.
• Keep the person on their side if they are unresponsive but breathing.
• Look for injuries, especially head injuries or significant bleeding.
• Keep the person comfortable and protect them from becoming too cold or overheated.
• Reassure them as they regain awareness.
• Explain calmly what happened.
• Do not give food or drink until they are fully alert.
• Stay with them until they have recovered or emergency responders arrive.

Avoid crowding the person or asking many questions at once. They may feel embarrassed, exhausted, or confused. A quiet, respectful response is often the most helpful support.

Build Confidence Before an Emergency Happens

Seizure first aid is included in broader first-aid education through Red Cross and HSI training programs. Hands-on classes can also help participants practice scene assessment, recovery-position skills, emergency communication, and the transition from first aid to CPR when a person is no longer breathing normally.

I personally lead every class — providing professional First Aid and CPR/AED training for individuals, families, schools, daycares, workplaces, fitness centers, healthcare teams, and community organizations. Training is available through classroom or blended learning, combining online coursework with an in-person skills session.

I come to you — my mobile training service covers San Diego County, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and Lake Elsinore.

Classes are appointment only. To request training, contact Code Blue Safety Skills by email or call (951) 669-4177. When you reach out, include the specific dates you want for the class, along with your location, estimated group size, and preferred course. Evening and weekend scheduling may be available.

Being prepared does not mean you will know every medical answer. It means you can recognize danger, protect the person, call for help, and provide appropriate care until emergency responders arrive.

Sources

• American Red Cross: Seizures
• CDC: First Aid for Seizures
• HSI: Adult First Aid | CPR AED