THE BASIC DOS AND DON’TS WHEN SOMEONE IS HAVING A SEIZURE: DO: • Stay calm, it’s only a seizure. • Cushion the person’s head to avoid injury by placing anything soft under the head (e.g. a cushion or jacket). • Time the duration of the seizure. It is likely to feel very long, but most seizures lasts between a few seconds and a few minutes. Seizures lasting longer than five or six minutes require medical attention. • Try to remove glasses and loosen tight clothing (if possible) to avoid injury and ease breathing. • Turn the person into the first aid recovery position to avoid choking. • Stay with the person until he or she recovers fully and reassure him or her. Remember that the person is unlikely to know that they had a seizure. • Provide information about the seizure once the person has recovered. Most people with epilepsy have a seizure diary to record information which is helpful to the medical team (which seldom sees a seizure) for treatment. • Medical assistance is only required if (i) the seizure lasts longer than five or six minutes; and/or (ii) the person was injured during the seizure. DO NOT: • Panic. • Move the person unless he or she is in immediate danger. • Restrict the person as you cannot stop a seizure. • Burn anything in front of the person’s nose or mouth. • Put anything in the person’s mouth. This is an old wife’s tale and will lead to injury. • Leave the person alone until he or she recovers fully. • Give the person anything to eat or drink. • Give the person any medication.