What to Do When Someone is Having a Seizure

Discover What to Do When Someone is Having a Seizure with our step-by-step guide. Learn how to recognise the signs, provide safe support, and know when to call emergency services.

Introduction

Watching someone have a seizure can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what’s happening or how to help. In those moments, it’s easy to panic, but with a little knowledge, you can play an important role in keeping them safe. Seizures are more common than many people realise, and while they can look alarming, most will stop on their own within a few minutes. What matters most is how calmly and confidently you respond.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: how to recognise the signs of a seizure, the steps to take to protect someone while it’s happening, and what to do afterwards to support their recovery. We’ll also cover when it’s necessary to call 999, as some seizures may require emergency help. By the end, you’ll feel more prepared to respond in a way that’s both practical and compassionate — and if you’ve ever considered first aid training, this knowledge will give you a strong head start.

Understanding Seizures

A seizure happens when there’s a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain, which temporarily disrupts the way it works. This can affect how a person moves, behaves, or becomes aware of their surroundings. Not all seizures look the same, some are very obvious, while others can be more subtle.

The most widely recognised type is a tonic-clonic seizure, where someone may lose consciousness, fall to the ground, and experience stiffening and jerking movements. This is typically what you see on TV, as it is a very visceral sight. However, seizures can also take other forms that are more subtle and hard to notice at first. For example, absence seizures might cause someone to stare blankly for a few seconds, while focal seizures can cause unusual sensations, confusion, or repetitive movements.

Seizures can happen for different reasons, including epilepsy, head injuries, high fevers, or underlying medical conditions. While they often pass within minutes, knowing the different ways they can present helps you stay calm and respond in a way that keeps the person safe.

Recognising the Signs of a Seizure

Not all seizures look the same, which is why it’s helpful to know the different ways they can appear. Some people experience an aura beforehand – a kind of warning sign that something is about to happen. This might be a sudden feeling of déjà vu, unusual smells or tastes, or a sense of anxiety or confusion.

During a tonic-clonic seizure, someone may suddenly lose consciousness, fall to the ground, their body may stiffen, and they could have strong, jerking movements. They may also make unusual noises, bite their tongue, or lose control of their bladder or bowels.

Other seizures can be more subtle. For instance, an absence seizure might just look like the person is daydreaming or staring blankly for a few seconds. A focal seizure might involve twitching, repetitive movements, or a period of confusion. By learning to recognise these signs, you’ll be better prepared to understand what’s happening and give the right support when it matters most.

What to Do When Someone is Having a Seizure

The most important thing to remember when someone has a seizure is that your calm response can make a big difference. Most seizures are not medical emergencies and will stop on their own within a few minutes, but how you act during those minutes can help keep the person safe and comfortable.

Here’s what you should do:

Stay with them and time the seizure - Use a watch or your phone to track how long it lasts. If it goes on longer than five minutes, or if they have repeated seizures without recovery, call emergency services.
Keep them safe from harm - Move any nearby objects that could cause injury, such as furniture, sharp items, or hot drinks. Seizures can sometimes lead to injuries like cuts, bruises, or even broken bones, especially if the person falls or their body makes strong movements against something hard.
Cushion their head - If you can, gently cushion their head with something soft, like a folded jacket. During tonic-clonic seizures, the rapid movements can often lead to injuries, so protecting the head should be a priority here.
Only move them if they are in danger - Trying to shift someone during a seizure can increase the risk of injury, especially if their body is stiff or jerking. Only move them if they are in danger, such as near traffic, water, or a hot surface.

Here’s what you shouldn’t do:

Don’t hold them down - Restraining someone during a seizure doesn’t stop it and can actually cause injuries to both you and them. Their muscles may be very stiff or jerking strongly, and trying to pin them can lead to pulled joints, bruising, or even broken bones. It’s safer to let the seizure run its course.
Don’t put anything in their mouth - A common myth is that someone might swallow their tongue during a seizure – this isn’t true. Forcing objects like a spoon, wallet, or even your fingers into their mouth can cause choking, damage their teeth, or block their airway.
Don’t try to give food, drink, or medication - During a seizure, the person won’t be able to swallow safely, which creates a serious choking risk. Wait until they are fully awake, alert, and able to sit up before offering a sip of water or their prescribed medication.
Don’t crowd them - People having seizures need space for safety and dignity. Too many people around them can restrict airflow, make it harder to move objects out of the way, or cause panic. Ask bystanders to give room while you stay close enough to help.

The number one thing to do is to not panic. Seizures can look frightening, but most stop within a few minutes. Your calm presence makes a huge difference — both to the person recovering and to anyone else nearby. If you stay composed, you’ll be able to follow the right steps clearly.

When to Call Emergency Services

Most seizures stop on their own and don’t require medical intervention, but there are times when you should call for urgent help. Knowing these situations ensures the person gets the care they need without delay.

Call 999 if:

The seizure lasts longer than five minutes - Prolonged seizures can be dangerous and need medical attention.
The person has repeated seizures without regaining consciousness in between - This is a medical emergency.
It is their first known seizure - They will need assessment to rule out underlying causes.
The person is injured during the seizure - such as hitting their head, falling from a height, or possibly breaking a bone.
They have breathing difficulties or do not regain consciousness after the seizure has stopped.
The seizure happens in water or another high-risk environment.
They are pregnant, elderly, or have other underlying health conditions that could complicate recovery.

When in doubt, it’s always safer to call for help. Even if the seizure ends before paramedics arrive, medical professionals can check the person’s wellbeing and offer reassurance.

What to Do After the Seizure

Once the seizure has ended, the person may feel very tired, confused, or emotional. This is known as the recovery phase, and it can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Your role here is to make sure they are safe, comfortable, and supported.

Here’s how you can help:

Check their breathing - Most people will start breathing normally again once the seizure stops. If they are not breathing or remain unresponsive, call emergency services immediately.
Place them in the recovery position - If they are unconscious but breathing, gently roll them onto their side with their head tilted back. This keeps the airway clear and reduces the risk of choking if they vomit.
Stay with them until they are fully alert - They may be disoriented or embarrassed after regaining consciousness. Staying calm and reassuring helps them feel safe.
Support their next steps - Encourage them to rest and, if needed, help arrange for a friend, family member, or colleague to stay with them until they feel better.

Remember: recovery looks different for everyone. Some people bounce back quickly, while others may need time to rest. Your patience and reassurance go a long way in helping them feel cared for.

Common Myths to Avoid

Seizures are often misunderstood, and unfortunately, there are still plenty of myths about how to respond when someone is having one. One of the most common is the idea that a person might swallow their tongue – this simply isn’t true. Trying to force something into their mouth to “stop it” can actually cause serious harm, including choking or broken teeth. Another widespread misconception is that you should hold the person down to stop the seizure. In reality, restraining them is dangerous and can lead to injuries for both you and them.

It’s also important to remember that seizures aren’t always dramatic. Not every seizure involves convulsions; some may be as subtle as a brief loss of awareness or unusual behaviour. Because of this, people sometimes dismiss or overlook them. By understanding what seizures really look like, and letting go of the myths, you’ll be far better prepared to give safe, effective support when it matters most.

Supporting Someone with Epilepsy

Knowing how to respond to a seizure is incredibly valuable, but support doesn’t end there. For many people living with epilepsy, seizures are just one part of their daily reality, and the way others react can make a big difference.

If you’re close to someone who has seizures, take the time to talk with them about what helps. Some people have specific triggers, while others may want you to know what their recovery looks like so you can step in appropriately. Having these conversations openly and without judgment can help reduce stigma and give them confidence that the people around them understand.

After a seizure, it’s normal for someone to feel tired, embarrassed, or anxious about what just happened. Offering calm reassurance, giving them space to rest, and treating them with dignity goes a long way.

If you’d like to feel even more confident, consider taking a first aid course. Training gives you the chance to practise skills like the recovery position, learn how to stay calm in real emergencies, and be better prepared not only for seizures but for many different situations where someone may need urgent help.

Conclusion

Seizures can be unsettling to witness, but with the right knowledge, you can make a real difference in keeping someone safe and supported. By recognising the signs, knowing the do’s and don’ts, and understanding when to call emergency services, you’ll be better prepared to respond calmly and effectively.

Remember, most seizures pass within a few minutes, and your actions — whether it’s cushioning someone’s head, giving them space, or offering gentle reassurance afterwards — can have a huge impact on their safety and dignity.

If you want to take your confidence to the next level, consider enrolling in a first aid course. Learning these skills in a supportive, hands-on environment not only prepares you for seizures but also equips you to respond to many other emergencies. The more people who understand what to do, the safer and more supported our communities become.