Cymraeg

On this page, find out what to do if you see someone having a tonic-clonic or focal seizure. We explain how you can help, and when you should call for an ambulance.

Tonic-clonic (convulsive) seizures

Tonic-clonic seizures are the type of seizure most people recognise. They used to be called grand mal seizures. Someone having a tonic-clonic seizure goes stiff, loses consciousness, falls to the floor and begins to jerk or convulse. They may go blue around the mouth due to irregular breathing. Sometimes they may lose control of their bladder or bowels, and bite their tongue or the inside of their mouth.

Here’s how to help if you see someone having a tonic-clonic seizure.

Do:

Protect them from injury (remove harmful objects from nearby)

Cushion their head

Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery – it may give you information about their seizures and what to do

Time how long the jerking lasts

Aid breathing by gently placing them in the recovery position once the jerking has stopped (see picture)

Stay with the them until they are fully recovered

Be calmly reassuring

Don't:

Don't restrain their movements

Don't put anything in their mouth

Don't try to move them unless they are in danger

Don't give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered

Don't attempt to bring them round

Call for an ambulance if:

You know it is their first seizure or

The jerking continues for more than five minutes or

They have one tonic-clonic seizure after another without regaining consciousness between seizures or

They are injured during the seizure or

You believe they need urgent medical attention

Focal seizures

You may also hear this type of seizure called a partial seizure. Someone having a focal seizure may not be aware of their surroundings or what they are doing. They may have unusual movements and behaviour such as plucking at their clothes, smacking their lips, swallowing repeatedly or wandering around.

Here’s how to help if you see someone having a focal seizure.

Do:

Guide them away from danger (such as roads or open water)

Stay with them until recovery is complete

Be calmly reassuring

Explain anything that they may have missed

Don't:

Don't restrain them

Don't act in a way that could frighten them, such as making abrupt movements or shouting at them

Don't assume they are aware of what is happening, or what has happened

Don't give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered

Don't attempt to bring them round

Call for an ambulance if:

You know it is their first seizure or

The seizure continues for more than five minutes or

They are injured during the seizure or

You believe they need urgent medical attention

Seizures in a wheelchair

If a person with epilepsy uses a wheelchair or has mobility problems, their GP or epilepsy specialist should give them a care plan. This should include advice on how to help the person if they have a seizure.

Here is some general advice about how to help someone who is having a seizure in a wheelchair.

Do:

Put the brakes on, to stop the chair from moving

Let them remain seated in the chair during the seizure (unless they have a care plan which says to move them). Moving them could possibly lead to injuries for both you and them

If they have a seatbelt or harness on, leave it fastened

If they don’t have a seatbelt or harness, support them gently, so they don’t fall out of the chair

Cushion their head and support it gently. A head rest, cushion or rolled up coat can be helpful

The person’s care plan should give advice on what to do after the seizure has finished. For example, it should say if it is safe to move them from the wheelchair to put them in the recovery position.

Don't:

Don't restrain their movements

Don't put anything in their mouth

Don't give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered

Don't attempt to bring them round

Seizures in the water

Visit our sports and leisure page to find out what to do if someone has a seizure while swimming.

Find out more about seizures

Take our short online learning module to learn more about different types of seizure and what to do when someone has one.

Order first aid information from the Epilepsy Action shop.

First aid information in other languages

Beth i’w wneud pan fydd rhywun yn profi trawiad (Welsh)

Środek pierwszej pomocy w przypadku napadów drgawkowych (Polish)

مرض کے دورہ کے لیے ابتدائی طبی امداد (Urdu)

Premiers secours pour des crises d'épilepsie (French)

Erste Hilfe bei Krampfanfällen (German)

Primeros auxilios para convulsiones (Spanish)