Seizures are scary for everyone. If you have never seen one up close and personal, the sheer terror can make you freeze unsure of what to do. The last thing you want to do is make it worse, but is there anything you can do in the situation to help? Do you call an ambulance? Do you stick a spoon in their mouth? What do you do when someone has a seizure?

If someone has regular seizures, they would go bankrupt every time someone called an ambulance if they live in America. If someone stuck a spoon in their mouth, they might wake up with a chipped tooth and some confusion. It’s always good to know what to do in a situation before it actually happens. But first, you need to know what a seizure looks like.

What Does A Seizure Look Like

The Beginning

Before a seizure, many people experience what they call an aura. It is when their brain starts going haywire before the physical movement takes place. They may be blanked out and not speaking. You can wave your hand in front of their open eyes, and nothing happens. And right before the seizure starts coming in, they faint.

The Middle

Their body will become as hard as a board because all of their muscles clench. Then their body will start to have jerking movements which is when most people start to freak out. Eventually, the jerking movement will stop.

The End

After the seizure, the world around them won't be so clear. They can come back fuzzy and confused.

So what do you do?

What To Do When Someone Has A Seizure

Give Them Room

They don’t need a bunch of people surrounding them. A crowd of worried faces looking at them is the last thing they need to wake up to. They are confused, and the reactions of others can make the situation worse.

Soften The Fall

If you can, before they fall, make room for them, so they don’t hit their head on anything hard or sharp. If you can, try to guide them down to the ground. If you have a jacket, pillow, or anything soft, put it under their head.

Loosen Clothing Around Their Neck

If they have clothing that is restricting their breathing, try to loosen it if you can.

Time The Seizure

This is useful information for the person who is having the seizure to have. If they have them often, they can gauge whether or not they are getting worse. This can also help you determine whether or not you need to call an ambulance.

Turn Them On Their Side

After they are finished seizing, turn them on their side. This can help them breathe better.

What Not To Do

Don’t Put A Spoon In Their Mouth

Please don’t put anything in their mouth. You cannot swallow your tongue when you have a seizure, so this is just a myth that doesn’t help anyone.

Don’t Try To Stop Movement

The seizure is going to happen regardless. Don’t try to restrain them or stop their movements.

When To Call 911

There are times when 911 is the right call. Even though this is extremely expensive and shouldn’t be called for just any reason, sometimes a seizure means something is really wrong. Calling 911 is acceptable if the following happens...

• When you know it’s their first seizure
• The seizure lasts longer than five minutes
• Another seizure happens soon after the first one stops
• The person doesn’t wake up after they stop jerking
• The fall caused an injury
• The person is pregnant or diabetic
• The person stops breathing
• The person has a high fever
• The seizure happens in water

Do you have seizures? What is something that you would like people to know when you have them? We would love your insight in the comment section below.