SYNTHETIC DEMONSTRATION — no real student or patient. Not a medical device.

Urgent & emergency

Someone Is Having a Seizure: What to Do Right Now

Stay with the person, clear away hard or sharp objects, gently cushion their head, and time the seizure. Never hold them down or put anything in their mouth — the tongue-swallowing idea is a myth. Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, they don't regain consciousness, a second seizure follows, or it is their first known seizure.

What to do — step by step

1. Stay calm and stay with them. 2. Clear the area: move chairs, tables, or anything sharp or hard away. Do not move the person unless they are in immediate danger — near water, on stairs, or in traffic. 3. Cushion their head: place something soft — a folded jacket, your hand — beneath their head. 4. Time the seizure from the moment it begins. This information is critical for 911 and for any clinician who later evaluates them 1. 5. Gently roll them onto their side (the recovery position) if they are not awake and aware — this keeps the airway clear and allows fluid to drain 1. 6. Stay with them until they are fully awake and know where they are. 7. Speak calmly and reassuringly as they come around. Confusion after a seizure is expected and normal.

What not to do

Do not hold the person down or try to stop their movements. You cannot stop a seizure by restraining it, and you risk injuring both of you.

Do not put anything in their mouth. The idea that a person can swallow their tongue is a myth. Putting objects in the mouth risks broken teeth, injury to the person's mouth, and choking on the object itself 1.

Do not give water, food, or medication during a seizure. The person cannot swallow safely.

Do not leave them alone until they are fully awake and oriented to their surroundings.

After the seizure stops: the postictal phase

It is normal to be confused, drowsy, or disoriented for minutes to an hour after a seizure — this is called the postictal phase. The person may not remember the seizure at all. Keep them on their side, speak calmly, and tell them what happened. Do not give anything to eat or drink until they are fully alert. Check for any medical ID bracelet, which may carry instructions. Once they are alert and know where they are, help them contact someone who can stay with them or take them to be evaluated.

Special situations: febrile seizures, diabetes, pregnancy, and withdrawal

Young children and febrile seizures: Seizures triggered by fever are common in children aged 6 months to 5 years and are usually brief. A first febrile seizure still warrants medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes, including bacterial meningitis — this is consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical guideline on simple febrile seizures 3.

Diabetes: Severely low blood sugar can cause a seizure. If the person is known to have diabetes and is conscious and able to swallow after the seizure, glucose gel or tablets may help — but only if the person is alert enough to swallow safely. The ADA Standards of Care 2 address hypoglycemia management in detail; during an active seizure, wait until the person is fully conscious.

Pregnancy: A seizure during pregnancy is always an emergency and may indicate eclampsia. Call 911 immediately.

Alcohol or sedative withdrawal: Withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines can cause dangerous seizures. This is a medical emergency — call 911.

After the event: getting a medical evaluation

A first unprovoked seizure always warrants a full evaluation — even if the person now feels fine. A clinician will ask how long the seizure lasted, what the movements looked like, whether the person was fully unconscious or partly aware, what happened just before, and what medications they take. Tests may include blood glucose, basic metabolic panel, EEG, and brain imaging. The cause of a seizure cannot be determined without clinical assessment.

Common questions

Should I call 911 for every seizure?

Not necessarily. The CDC recommends calling 911 if: the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, the person does not regain consciousness after it stops, a second seizure follows shortly, the person is injured, pregnant, or in water, or this is their first known seizure. If the person has a known seizure disorder and the episode follows their usual pattern and stops within 5 minutes, you may not need to call — but when in doubt, call.

Why do people say not to put anything in someone's mouth during a seizure?

The old advice about preventing someone from swallowing their tongue is a myth — the tongue cannot be swallowed. Putting objects in the mouth risks broken teeth, cuts to the mouth or face, and choking on the object. Teeth can bite hard on anything placed there. The safest approach is to keep the mouth free and focus on positioning the person safely on their side.

What is the postictal phase and how long does it last?

The postictal phase is the period of confusion, drowsiness, and disorientation that follows a seizure. It can last from a few minutes to over an hour. The person may not remember the seizure and may be frightened or distressed as they come around. Staying calm, speaking gently, and keeping them safe until they are fully alert is the right response.

Can a person die from a seizure?

Most seizures are not life-threatening on their own. However, injuries from falling or a prolonged seizure (status epilepticus — lasting more than 5 minutes) are dangerous. Seizures in water carry risk of drowning. A rare complication called SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) exists but is uncommon. This is why getting a proper diagnosis and ongoing care matters.

Call 911 immediately if any of these are present

  • —Seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
  • —Person does not regain consciousness or awareness after the seizure ends
  • —A second seizure follows shortly after the first
  • —The person is injured during the seizure — head injury, bleeding
  • —Person is pregnant
  • —Person is in water — pool, bathtub, lake
  • —Person has diabetes — seizure may be caused by low blood sugar
  • —This is their first known seizure
  • —Person has difficulty breathing after the seizure ends

Call 911 immediately if any red flag above is present. If the person has a known seizure disorder and the seizure follows their usual pattern and stops within 5 minutes, you may not need to call — but when in doubt, call.

This article is general health information and not a substitute for emergency care. If someone is having a seizure right now and meets any of the red flags above, call 911 immediately.

References

  1. 1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024). First Aid for Seizures. CDC Epilepsy Program. link ✓Step-by-step seizure first aid protocol: timing the seizure, recovery position, what not to do (including the myth about swallowing the tongue), and when to call 911
  2. 2.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee (2024). 6. Glycemic Goals and Hypoglycemia: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024. Diabetes Care. doi:10.2337/dc24-S006 ✓Hypoglycemia as a cause of seizure in people with diabetes; guidance on glucose management
  3. 3.Subcommittee on Febrile Seizures; American Academy of Pediatrics (2011). Neurodiagnostic Evaluation of the Child With a Simple Febrile Seizure. Pediatrics. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-3318 ✓Febrile seizures in children aged 6 to 60 months: first febrile seizure warrants evaluation to rule out meningitis; recommendations for diagnostic workup

3 sources, numbered by first appearance. General health information, not medical advice — synthetic demonstration content.