First Aid

1. PROTECT THE PERSON AND TIME THE SEIZURE

• Place something soft under the person's head (e.g. a jacket, a sweater, a pillow).
• Start the stopwatch at the top of the screen to time the convulsions precisely.
• Move chairs, tables and other hard or sharp objects out of the reach of the person's arms and legs.

2. WHAT YOU MUST NEVER DO

• Do not put anything in the person's mouth (no fingers, cutlery, sticks, medication or water). The tongue cannot be swallowed!
• Do not forcibly restrain the person's convulsing arms or legs (this risks joint and bone injuries to the patient).

3. AFTER THE SEIZURE STOPS

• Place the person in the recovery position to keep the airway open and prevent aspiration.
• Gently clear the area around the mouth, check that the airway is clear and monitor breathing.
• Stay with the person until they regain full, clear consciousness.

4. CALL 112 WHEN:

• The convulsions last longer than 5 minutes (status epilepticus!).
• It is the first convulsive seizure in this person's life.
• After the seizure the person has serious breathing difficulties or does not regain consciousness.
• The seizure occurred in water or is combined with a serious injury to the body or head.

1. 1

   Step 1 of 7: Stay calm and time the seizure

   Panic makes it harder to help. Look at a watch or start the stopwatch on your phone. A convulsive seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes requires calling for medical help on 112, because it may progress into status epilepticus.

2. 2

   Step 2 of 7: Make the surroundings safe

   Move away from the person any dangerous objects they could strike (e.g. chairs, sharp edges, hot dishes). If the seizure happens in a hazardous place (e.g. on a road), protecting the person from that danger is the priority.

3. 3

   Step 3 of 7: Protect the head from injury

   Place something soft under the person's head (e.g. a pillow, a rolled-up jacket, a sweatshirt) or gently cushion it with your hands to prevent it from striking the hard ground. Do NOT forcibly hold the body down.

4. 4

   Step 4 of 7: Loosen clothing around the neck

   Undo the shirt collar, loosen a tie or scarf, or unfasten the belt. This makes it easier for the person to breathe, which during a generalized seizure may be irregular or noisy. Do not put anything in the mouth and do not try to open the jaw.

5. 5

   Step 5 of 7: NEVER put anything in the mouth!

   The tongue CANNOT be swallowed! Inserting any object (spoons, sticks, fingers) risks choking, blocking the airway, breaking the person's teeth or the rescuer being bitten. Also do NOT give any medication or fluids by mouth while the seizure is ongoing — there is a serious risk of aspiration.

6. 6

   Step 6 of 7: Do NOT forcibly restrain the convulsions

   Forcibly immobilizing tensed limbs or trying to stop the convulsions can lead to serious injuries: dislocated joints, strained muscles and even broken bones.

7. 7

   Step 7 of 7: Place in the recovery position after the seizure

   Once the convulsions stop (when the muscles go limp), turn the person onto their side into the recovery position. This keeps the airway open and prevents aspiration of saliva or vomit. Stay with the person and monitor their breathing until consciousness fully returns. If breathing does not return to normal or the person does not regain consciousness, call 112.
   Recovery position: the person lies on their side with the head tilted slightly back; the upper knee is bent to stabilize the body.