Patient Education

Seizure first aid

Helping someone through a seizure is simpler than many people expect. These free guides teach the basic steps the Epilepsy Foundation calls Stay, Safe, Side — along with when to call 911. They are worth a few minutes of your time even if you never need them, because someone nearby might.

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Seeing a seizure for the first time can be frightening, especially when it happens to someone you love. The good news is that seizure first aid is simple, and you do not need medical training to do it well. Knowing a few basic steps ahead of time can turn a scary moment into one you are prepared for.

The Epilepsy Foundation teaches seizure first aid in three words: Stay, Safe, Side. Stay with the person until they are fully awake and alert, time the seizure, and stay calm. Keep them safe by moving or guiding them away from anything that could hurt them. If they are not awake and aware, turn them onto their side, keep the airway clear, loosen tight clothing around the neck, and place something small and soft under their head.

Just as important is what not to do. Do not hold the person down, and do not put any objects in their mouth. Rescue medicines can be given only if prescribed by a health care professional.

Not every seizure calls for 911, but some situations do. The Epilepsy Foundation says to call 911 if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, if seizures happen one after another, if it is the person's first seizure, if they have trouble breathing, if the seizure happens in water, if they are injured, pregnant, or sick, or if they do not return to their usual state. If the person has a Seizure Action Plan, follow it — and check for a medical ID, which may tell you more about their condition.

The materials below include the Epilepsy Foundation's first aid poster in English and Spanish, a guide for helping someone who uses a wheelchair, and online training where you can earn a seizure first aid certification. These are good resources to share with family members, coworkers, teachers, and anyone who spends time with a person who has seizures.

The materials

Everything below is free. These summaries are for general education — always talk with your own care team about what applies to you.

  • Seizure First Aid poster (English)A one-page printable poster from the Epilepsy Foundation covering the Stay, Safe, Side steps, what never to do, and the seven situations that call for 911. Good for the fridge, a classroom, or a workplace break room.
  • Primeros auxilios para crisis epilépticas (español)The same one-page seizure first aid guide in Spanish, from the Epilepsy Foundation: how to keep the person safe, when to call 911, and what not to do. It also lists the Foundation's Spanish-language helpline.
  • Seizure first aid for someone in a wheelchairAn Epilepsy Foundation guide that adapts the basic steps for a person who uses a wheelchair — securing the chair, padding it to prevent injury, supporting the head with the chin turned down and to the side, and when to gently guide the person to the floor.
  • Seizure First Aid Ready (online training)The Epilepsy Foundation's online learning portal, with on-demand courses that teach you to recognize a seizure and respond correctly — including a Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certification, training for school personnel, and Spanish-language versions of the first aid courses.