First aid in the event of an epileptic seizure

Around 80,000 people in Switzerland are affected by epileptic seizures. These can take very different forms and can have a threatening effect. Many people do not know how to react correctly in a serious situation. The health tip explains what you should and should not do.
11.09.2024
Epilepsy is a complex neurological disease. Those affected suffer from temporary functional disorders of the brain – so-called epileptic seizures. However, there are many different types of seizures. The best known is the so-called “grand mal” seizure. Those affected often lose consciousness, fall to the ground and begin to convulse uncontrollably. Even if such a seizure passes quickly in the vast majority of cases and looks worse than it actually is, it can be extremely stressful and overwhelming for unknowing witnesses. The good news is that providing first aid for an epileptic seizure is easier than you think.

Potential signs

The symptoms can be extremely various. Potential signs are: sudden collapse, increased salivation and rapid breathing, short-term respiratory arrest with the lips turning blue, muscular rigidity or convulsions of the whole body. Seizures generally last for one or two minutes, rarely longer, but can also last just a few seconds.

To help the affected person, you should:

  • If possible, prevent the person from falling heavily and lay them gently on the ground.
  • Protect the person against potential secondary injuries, but not by restraining them. Restraint during and especially after the seizure increases the risk of injury.
  • Remove anything which is in the way.
  • Put something soft under the person's head, remove their glasses and loosen clothing in the neck area which may be too tight.

  • Keep calm and note how long the seizure lasts for. No medical attention will be required in most cases unless the convulsions last for more than three minutes, the person has suffered a severe injury, remains unconscious or is not breathing properly or there are more convulsions.

What not to do:

  • Do not push anything between the person's teeth in an attempt to prevent them from biting their tongue; you may damage their air passages.
  • Do not try to stop the convulsions by grabbing the person or making them sit up straight
  • Do not give the person anything to drink
  • Do not provide artificial respiration 

Many people are confused and sleepy after a seizure. Keep calm and tell the person what has happened. Let them know how long it lasted for and what the symptoms were.

One epileptic seizure ≠ epilepsy

Not everyone who has an epileptic seizure necessarily suffers from epilepsy. The term "epilepsy" is generally only used when an individual has two or more seizures occurring spontaneously within a 24-hour period without apparent cause. More information about epilepsy can be found on the website of the Swiss League against epilepsy.
In the event of further health-related questions, SWICA customers can contact the santé24 telemedicine service free of charge on +41 44 404 86 86. A telemedicine practice licence allows santé24 physicians to provide additional medical services in cases that are suited to a telemedicine approach. SWICA customers can also use the BENECURA medical app to carry out a digital SymptomCheck and receive recommendations about what to do next. During a subsequent phone call with santé24, customers can decide for themselves whether to release their information from SymptomCheck to santé24.
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