Do this now
- Stay calm and time the seizure. Note when it started.
- Ease them to the floor and move hard or sharp things away. Put something soft under their head.
- Turn them gently onto their side to help them breathe.
- Don’t put anything in their mouth, and don’t hold them down.
- Stay with them until they are fully awake, and speak calmly.
Call 911 if:
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
- It’s their first seizure, or you don’t know if they have had one before
- Another seizure follows soon after, or they don’t wake up in between
- They have trouble breathing or waking up afterward
- They were injured, or the seizure happened in water
- They are pregnant, or have diabetes
After the seizure
The person may be confused, tired, or embarrassed. Tell them what happened in simple words. Don’t give them food, drinks, or pills until they are fully alert. If they aren’t breathing normally after the seizure ends, call 911 and start CPR.
If the person has a seizure action plan or rescue medicine prescribed by their doctor, follow that plan.
Not all seizures involve shaking
Some seizures look like staring, confusion, lip-smacking, or picking at clothes. Gently guide the person away from danger, stay with them, and time it.
See the full seizures guide.