What To Do If Someone has a Seizure?
5 Jun 2025
Around 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure in their lifetime.
This means that knowing how to respond effectively to this situation can make a tremendous difference and potentially save someone’s life.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to do (and what not to do) when someone is having a seizure.
Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do During a Seizure
Step 1: Start Timing the Seizure
Knowing how long the seizure lasts can help determine if medical help is needed.
What to do:
Note the exact time the seizure begins. This will help track its duration. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, call emergency services, as it is a medical emergency.
Step 2: Keep the Person Safe
Avoiding potential hazards reduces the risk of injury during a seizure.
What to do:
Move any sharp objects or hazards away from the person.
If the person is near traffic, try to move them to a safer area.
Place something soft, like a folded jacket or cushion, under their head to protect against head injuries.
Check to for a medical bracelet with information about any medical conditions, medicines and emergency contacts.
What not to do:
Do not restrain the person. Trying to hold the person down can lead to more injuries.
Do not place anything in their mouth. Placing objects in their mouth can lead to choking, tooth damage or injury.
Step 3: Gently Guide the Person onto Their Side - Recovery Position
Lying the person on their side (in the recovery position) helps maintain an open airway, ensuring the person can breathe and prevents choking.
What to do:
If the person is lying on their back, gently roll them onto their side with their mouth pointing to the ground, following the steps on the image bellow (Recovery Position). This position allows any fluids to drain from their mouth, helping keep the airway clear and prevent chocking.
Step 4: Stay with the Person and Offer Reassurance
Stay with the person during the seizure. After the episode, the person may feel confused or disoriented. Staying with them provides comfort and support.
What to do:
Remain with the person and ensure they are safe. Offer calm reassurance as they regain full consciousness.
When the person is conscious, let them know they are safe and what happened.
Step 5: Continue to Monitor the Duration of the Seizure
Monitoring the seizure’s duration is extremely important, as it helps assess the need for medical intervention.
What to do:
Keep timing the seizure until it stops.
If the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes or multiple seizures happen one after another without recovery in between, call emergency services immediately. It is considered a medical emergency.
Step 6: After Care
The person may be disoriented after the seizure, so it’s essential to guide them through recovery.
What to do:
Once the seizure ends, allow the person to rest and recover at their one pace.
Help them stay in a safe position (on their side) until they are fully awake and alert. After the person is conscious, calmly explain what happened.
When to Call Emergency Services?
In some cases, immediate medical help is needed.
Call emergency services if:
It is the person’s first seizure;
The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes;
Another seizure follows immediately after the first one and there is no recovery in between the two;
The person is injured during the seizure.
The seizure occurred in the water;
The person is pregnant, has diabetes and loses consciousness;
The person has difficulty breathing or difficulty regaining consciousness after the seizure ends.
By following these steps, you can ensure the person experiencing a seizure is safe and supported.
The Importance of a Seizure Action Plan
Having a personalised seizure action plan is crucial for ensuring everyone knows what to do during a seizure. This plan contains essential information about the person, common triggers, seizure type(s), usual and rescue medication and emergency contacts.
Download our fillable Seizure Action Plan here to make sure everyone around you knows how to act in case of an emergency.