This article was reviewed by physicians and updated in October 2021.

I have had epilepsy since the age of five, but I never realized how scary seizures can look until I saw a YouTube video of someone having a tonic-clonic (formerly known as grand mal) seizure.

For someone who is unfamiliar with epilepsy, witnessing a seizure could be frightening enough to make it difficult to offer help. The best thing to do is to stay calm. I have learned from experience that the more you teach people about epilepsy, the less they fear it and the calmer they are in the face of a seizure.

My three kids had a hard time understanding my epilepsy when they were young. The few times they saw me have a seizure were terrifying for them. One day I sat down and told them a story, through pictures, about what epilepsy is and what to do if someone has a seizure. It really helped. I also gave them plenty of reassurance that a seizure only lasts a short time and then everything will be back to normal.

My neurologist, Orrin Devinsky, M.D., believes that first aid for seizures is essential for family members and others to know. Dr. Devinsky and I created the following list of tips.

What to do if someone near you is having a seizure:

1. Stay calm.
2. Call 911 if the person is having their first seizure or is pregnant.
3. Try to time the seizure. Seizures usually do not last longer than 60 to 120 seconds. If the seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes, call 911.
4. If the person is standing, prevent them from falling by holding them in a hug, or try to help them gently to the floor.
5. Move away furniture or other objects that might injure the person during the seizure.
6. If the person having a seizure is on the ground when you arrive, try to position them on their side so that any saliva or vomit can leak out of their mouth rather than be swallowed or go down the windpipe.
7. Do not put anything, including your fingers, into the person's mouth while they are seizing. You could chip the person's tooth, or your finger could be bitten.
8. Do not try to hold the person down because this can cause injury, such as a dislocated shoulder.
   
   

After the seizure:

1. Check the person for injuries.
2. If you could not turn the person onto their side during the seizure, do so when the seizure has ended and the person is calm.
3. Ensure the person is breathing and not experiencing any blockage in their airway.
4. Loosen tight clothing around the person's neck and waist.
5. Provide a safe area where the person can rest.
6. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink until they are fully conscious and aware of their surroundings.
7. Stay with the person until they are awake and any confusion wears off. Most people feel sleepy or confused after a seizure.