A few tips for helping someone who is having a seizure

Seizures may be recurrent, as in epilepsy (often triggered by flashing or flickering lights), or isolated. Here are some tips for safely helping someone who is having a seizure.

Witnessing a seizure is frightening, but they are seldom as alarming as they first appear. Stay calm and follow these tips to keep the patient safe from injury.

• A sufferer may stagger, utter meaningless sounds or fall to the floor and convulse.
• Never restrain their movements or put anything in their mouth.
• If the person suffering the seizure is on the floor, provide padding with clothing, rugs and blankets to prevent injury, particularly to the head. If possible, move any nearby furniture if they are indoors.
• When the jerking stops, roll the person onto their side and check that the airway is clear. Let them lie quietly to recover.
• Call an ambulance if the seizure is someone's first, lasts for more than five minutes, or recurs. Call also if the person has been injured or is unconscious for 10 minutes or more.

Before the age of five, a child may suffer convulsions caused by a fever. Though these are usually harmless and last no more than two minutes, you should take the following measures.

• Call an ambulance if a child shows other symptoms of serious illness, such as a rash or stiff neck, if the fit lasts more than five minutes, or if they have not fully recovered within an hour. Seek medical advice if this is a first fit.
• During the fit, to help prevent any injury, lie the child on a soft surface if you can move them safely. If possible, lie them on their side to keep the airway open and avoid choking if they vomit.
• As soon as you can, remove warm clothing or bedclothes and loosen tight clothing. Don't allow the child to get too cold and don't sponge the skin with cold water. Let them cool down naturally.
• When the child is fully conscious, give paracetamol or ibuprofen if you wish, to help to bring the temperature down.
• Monitor the child's pulse, breathing and temperature every 10 to 15 minutes until the temperature starts to fall.

While a seizure is definitely a scary occurrence, remaining calm and following these tips is the best way to help the person suffering from the attack. Be sure to call an ambulance or a doctor to ensure the person is safe and healthy.