Seizures
- hellonotarealdr
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 20
Seizures look different in adults and children, and can be caused by different things. But in general, seizures are when someone starts shaking and jerking uncontrollably.
Symptoms:
Sudden unresponsiveness
Rigid body
Arching back
Convulsions (shaking)
Jerky, uncontrolled movements
Saliva/"foaming" at the mouth - could be red/bloody if they have bitten their tongue or lip
Muscles relax after seizure
Tiredness/sleep/unconsciousness after seizure
Stretch!
Seizures are actually symptoms, not conditions: a seizure is the result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy is the condition of having recurring seizures.
Seizures in Adults
The symptoms of a seizure will be similar for adults and children. However, the causes and treatment are slightly different.
What to do:
Make space around the casualty* to minimise danger - remove any obstacles etc
Try not to move or restrain them unless they are immediate danger.
Start a stopwatch.
Create padding around the casualty using clothing, pillows, blankets, etc.
Do not attempt to hold them still - this will often cause more damage than help
When the seizure (jerky movements) is finished, check their airways and breathing and put them in the recovery position. Stop the stopwatch, note how long the seizure was.
Monitor the casualty, and be prepared to call emergency services or start CPR* if they become unresponsive*.
If you know the cause for the seizure/if it is mild, the casualty will likely not need to go to the hospital.
This is what the recovery position looks like.
Stretch!
You should never put something in the person's mouth during a seizure. This is an outdated and dangerous myth as it can actually cause more harm if you force the person's mouth open.
When to call emergency services?
You should call emergency services if:
This is the casualty's first seizure
The casualty is having repeated seizures
You do not know the cause of the seizure
Seizure lasts for longer than 5 minutes
Casualty is unresponsive for more than 10 minutes after the seizure
Seizures in children
Seizures in children can have multiple causes - epilepsy, raised body temperature, etc. Sometimes, we cannot find out why the seizure occurred.
What to do:
Clear away any obstacles around the child that could pose a danger
Do not restrain the child, or put anything in their mouth
Place padding around them, such as blankets, pillows, or clothing, to minimise risk of getting hurt.
Start a stopwatch to time the seizure and call emergency services.
Once you have done this, and the child is safe, take a video of the seizure if you can as this can help to find the cause of the seizure.
Try to cool the child down. Remove bedding and strip one layer of clothing - you may need to wait until the seizure has stopped.
When the seizure has stopped:
Stop the stopwatch and note how long the child was seizing for
Place them in the recovery position
Monitor response until the emergency services arrive
Summary:
Seizures can look very different in adults or children, but usually it looks like someone is shaking uncontrollably. You should make sure you put padding around them, and time the seizure. Call 999 if you need to, and when the seizure is over, put them in the recovery position.
Glossary:
Casualty: The word casualty refers to the person who is hurt during a first aid scenario.
CPR: CPR stands for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. It's when you restart someone's heart by pushing on their chest and giving rescue breaths. I have a lesson on this too if you're interested! Just search for it in the Learn page. Unresponsive: If someone is unresponsive, that means that they aren't awake and they can't respond to touch, sound, or anything around them.
For Older Students
Check your understanding with these questions!
Is it always appropriate to call 999 when you see a seizure? Why/why not?
Why do you think it's important to stay with the person until the seizure ends and they are fully awake?
Why might people hesitate to intervene during a seizure?
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