Seizure First Aid

Key points about seizure first aid

• stay calm - remember the seizure will stop
• turn your child on their side so they will not choke on saliva or vomit
• time the seizure - if it lasts more than 5 minutes call an ambulance (dial 111 in New Zealand)

What should I do during my child's seizure?

Stay calm

Try to stay calm - remember it will stop. Your child is not going to die and it is not damaging their brain.

Clear a safe space around your child

Clear a safe space around your child and protect their head if there are jerking movements. You may need to lie them down on the floor (or move furniture away from them). 

Turn your child on their side

Turn your child on their side in the recovery position, so they will not choke on saliva or vomit. You may need to wait until the jerking stops to do this.

Time the seizure

Try to take note of the time the seizure started. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes call an ambulance. 

Make sure your child is safe

Loosen tight clothing.

Do not put your fingers or anything else in or near your child's mouth - your child may bite your fingers as part of the seizure.

Do not try to stop your child's movements.

You do not need to worry about your child swallowing their tongue. This does not happen.

Make sure your child is in the recovery position. 

Stay with your child

Stay with your child during the seizure. Tell them quietly that you are right beside them and you will keep them safe.

When should I dial 111?

Dial 111 if your child has a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes.

Dial 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help if your child has:

• a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes
• 2 or more seizures in a row without waking properly between them
• had a head injury
• an injury during the seizure

Emergency seizure medicine

If your child has had a seizure that lasted longer than 5 minutes in the past, the doctor may give you a medicine to stop a seizure. This is sometimes called ‘rescue medicine’. You can give this to your child for a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes. 

See the KidsHealth page on emergency epileptic seizure medicine for more information

Video your child if you can

If you can, or there is someone with you, try to get a video of the seizure with your phone to show your doctors.

See some tips about keeping a record of your child's seizures

What should I do after my child's seizure?

Put your child in the recovery position

If you couldn't put your child in the recovery position during their seizure, do this as soon as it’s over.

Let your child rest in a quiet place 

Let your child rest and recover for a while in a calm and quiet space. They may remain confused, feel strange and have sore muscles or a headache for some time afterwards.

Give pain relief if needed

If your child has bitten their tongue, paracetamol and an ice block can help (when they are awake enough to have them). When giving paracetamol, follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.

Write down what happened 

Write down the details of what happened to your child (before and during the seizure) so that you can remember what to tell your doctor. Record this on a calendar or seizure app.

See the KidsHealth page on keeping a record of seizures for more information. 

When do I need to see a doctor after my child's seizure?

If you think your child has had a seizure for the first time, you should see a doctor urgently.

If your child has had a previous seizure and has another one, but has fully recovered, you don't usually need to call a doctor immediately or call an ambulance.

Tell your doctor that your child has had another seizure. 

Most tamariki (children) who have 2 seizures will go on to have more seizures. Most tamariki need anti-seizure medicine if they’ve had 2 seizures. This is to help prevent further seizures.  The specialists will talk about the options with you.

Printable emergency seizure plan

This emergency seizure plan is a step-by-step guide for what to do if your child is having a seizure. You can print it out and keep a copy on the fridge or somewhere that everyone can see it. 

See the KidsHealth page for a printable version of a seizure first aid plan