Epilepsy Helpline:

freephone 0808 800 5050 text 07797 805 390

helpline@epilepsy.org.uk
www.epilepsy.org.uk

First aid for epilepsy

tonic-clonic seizures
Common symptoms: the person goes stiff, loses consciousness and falls to the floor

Do...
• Protect the person from injury
(remove harmful objects from nearby)
Step 1 • Cushion their head
• Look for an epilepsy identity card/identity
jewellery
• Aid breathing by gently placing the person in the
recovery position when the seizure has finished
(see picture)
• Stay with them until recovery is complete
• Be calmly reassuring

Step 2 Step 3

Don’t... Call 999 for an ambulance if...

• Restrain the person’s movements • You know it is the person’s first seizure
• Put anything in their mouth • The seizure continues for more than five minutes
• Try to move them unless they • One seizure follows another without the person
are in danger regaining consciousness between seizures
• Give them anything to eat or • The person is injured
drink until they are fully recovered • You believe the person needs urgent medical
• Attempt to bring them round attention

Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050

Epilepsy Action, New Anstey House, Gate Way Drive,Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7XY
tel. 0113 210 8800 fax 0113 391 0300 Epilepsy Helpline: freephone 0808 800 5050 text 07797 805 390 email epilepsy@epilepsy.org.uk www.epilepsy.org.uk
Epilepsy Action is the working name of British Epilepsy Association. A company limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 797997) Registered charity in England (No. 234343)
Epilepsy Action makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information in its publications but cannot be held liable for any actions taken based on this information.
© Copyright Epilepsy Action 2009 / B046.01
 Epilepsy Helpline:
freephone 0808 800 5050 text 07797 805 390
helpline@epilepsy.org.uk
www.epilepsy.org.uk

First aid for epilepsy

complex partial seizures
Common symptoms Do...
• The person is not • Guide the person from danger
aware of their • Stay with the person until recovery is
surroundings or of complete
what they are doing • Be calmly reassuring
• Plucking at their • Explain anything
clothes that they may
Image courtesy of www.istockphoto.com/Kayann

• Smacking their lips have missed

• Swallowing
repeatedly
• Wandering around
Image courtesy of www.istockphoto.com/A-Digit

Don’t...
• Restrain the person
• Act in a way that could
frighten them, such as
making abrupt
movements or Call 999 for an
shouting at them ambulance if...
• Assume the person • You know it is the person’s first seizure
is aware of what is happening, or • The seizure continues for more than
what has happened five minutes
• Give the person anything to eat or • The person is injured during the seizure
drink until they are fully recovered • You believe the person needs urgent
• Attempt to bring them round medical attention

Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050

Epilepsy Action, New Anstey House, Gate Way Drive,Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7XY
tel. 0113 210 8800 fax 0113 391 0300 Epilepsy Helpline: freephone 0808 800 5050 text 07797 805 390 email epilepsy@epilepsy.org.uk www.epilepsy.org.uk
Epilepsy Action is a working name of British Epilepsy Association. A company limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 797997) Registered charity in England (No. 234343)
Epilepsy Action makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information in its publications but cannot be held liable for any actions taken based on this information.
© Copyright Epilepsy Action 2009 / B046C.01