Seizure First Aid

In the event of a seizure, the first steps should be to note the time of onset and protect your child from injury. This is done by gently lowering him/her to the ground if standing and cushioning the head and extremities until the seizure stops. He/she should be placed on his/her side if there is no resistance. If there is resistance, wait until immediately after the seizure stops to place him/her on his/her side. Most seizures stop within 3-5 minutes.
Do not place anything in the mouth. Your child will not swallow his/her tongue. Serious injury to the mouth and airway can occur when objects are put in the mouth during a seizure. Instead, place the child on his/her side to ease breathing by opening the airway.
Do not forcefully restrain his/her movement.

Reasons to call emergency medical services:

If this is your child's first seizure or he/she is not under medical care for seizures.
If there is any injury due to the seizure.
If the seizure lasts 5 minutes or more.
If your child is unresponsive for longer than 5 minutes following the convulsion (sedation, disorientation and irritability is normal after a seizure).
If another seizure follows soon after the first seizure.

It is always better to call emergency services when seizures occur if you are unsure.

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