23 Jan 2026
By Lampsy Team
Watching someone have a seizure can be frightening, especially if it's your first time. Your mind races, your heart pounds, and you desperately want to help but aren't sure how. Whether it's your child, partner, friend, or even a stranger, knowing what to do in those critical moments can make all the difference.
Quick Answer: What to Do During a Seizure
Stay calm and keep the person safe. Move objects away, cushion their head, turn them on their side if possible, and time the seizure. Do NOT restrain them, put anything in their mouth, or give food or water. Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, if it's their first seizure, if they're injured, or if another seizure follows immediately. Most seizures end on their own within 1-3 minutes.
Table of Contents
What Happens During a Tonic-Clonic Seizure?
What Should You Do During a Seizure?
What Should You NOT Do During a Seizure?
When Should You Call Emergency Services?
What About Seizures That Happen at Night?
What to Do After the Seizure Ends
Seizure First Aid Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens During a Tonic-Clonic Seizure?
Tonic-clonic seizures (sometimes called grand mal seizures) are the most recognizable type of seizure. Understanding what's happening can help you stay calm and respond appropriately.
During the tonic phase, the person loses consciousness and their muscles suddenly stiffen. They may cry out (not from pain, but from air being forced out of their lungs), and they'll fall to the ground if standing. This phase typically lasts 10-20 seconds.
The clonic phase follows, where the body jerks rhythmically. Arms and legs move in repeated motions that the person cannot control. Breathing may be shallow or appear to stop temporarily. The person might bite their tongue, lose bladder control, or have increased saliva. This phase usually lasts 1-2 minutes.
After the seizure, the person enters a postictal state. They'll be confused, exhausted, and may not remember what happened. This recovery period can last from minutes to hours.
What Should You Do During a Seizure?
When you see someone having a seizure, every second counts, but rushing in without knowledge can do more harm than good. Here's exactly what to do:
Stay calm and stay with the person: Your presence matters more than you think. Even though they're unconscious, having someone there when they wake up provides enormous comfort and ensures their safety throughout.
Protect their head: Gently place something soft under their head like a folded jacket, cushion, or even your hands. The rhythmic jerking can cause their head to hit the ground repeatedly, potentially causing injury.
Clear the area around them: Move furniture, sharp objects, and anything they could strike during the seizure. Create a safe space of at least a metre in all directions if possible. Remove glasses if they're wearing them.
Time the seizure: Look at a clock or your phone and note when it starts. This information is crucial for medical professionals and helps you know when to call for emergency help.
Turn them on their side when possible: If you can do so safely once the jerking slows, gently roll them onto their side into the recovery position. This helps keep their airway clear and prevents choking if they vomit or have excess saliva.
Loosen tight clothing: Carefully loosen anything around their neck like ties, scarves, or tight collars to help them breathe more easily.
Speak calmly and reassuringly: Even though they may not appear to hear you, use a gentle voice. Say things like "You're safe, I'm here with you" or "It's going to be okay." When they regain consciousness, your calm voice will be one of the first things they process.
What Should You NOT Do During a Seizure?
Outdated myths about seizure first aid persist, and some well-meaning actions can actually cause harm. Here's what you must avoid.
Never put anything in their mouth: This is perhaps the most dangerous myth. You cannot swallow your tongue during a seizure (it's physically impossible), and forcing objects into someone's mouth can break teeth, injure their jaw, or cause you to be bitten. If they bite their tongue, it will heal.
Don't restrain them or try to stop their movements: The muscle contractions during a seizure are incredibly strong. Attempting to hold them down can result in dislocated joints, broken bones, or muscle injuries. Let the seizure run its course.
Don't give them anything to eat or drink: Their swallowing reflex isn't working during or immediately after a seizure. Food, water, or medication could cause choking or go into their lungs.
Don't perform CPR unless they've stopped breathing after the seizure ends: Breathing may look absent or very shallow during a seizure, but this is temporary. Their breathing will return naturally as the seizure ends.
Don't leave them alone: Stay with them throughout the seizure and during recovery. They need someone to ensure their safety and provide comfort as they regain awareness.
Don't assume they're okay immediately after: The postictal state means they're still vulnerable. They may try to stand or walk before they're ready, potentially falling and injuring themselves.
When Should You Call Emergency Services?
Not every seizure requires an ambulance, but certain situations demand immediate medical attention. Call emergency services if any of these apply:
The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. This could indicate status epilepticus, a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
It's the person's first known seizure. They need medical evaluation to determine the cause and whether they have epilepsy.
A second seizure begins immediately after the first ends, without the person regaining consciousness between them.
The person is injured during the seizure, especially head injuries, broken bones, or significant bleeding.
The seizure happens in water, which presents drowning risk.
The person has diabetes, is pregnant or you know they have a serious medical condition.
They don't regain consciousness or normal breathing after the seizure ends.
You're unsure about their medical history.
If the person has epilepsy and the seizure follows their typical pattern, lasts less than 5 minutes, and they recover normally, you likely don't need emergency services. However, always follow their seizure action plan if they have one.
What About Seizures That Happen at Night?
Nighttime seizures present unique challenges. Many tonic-clonic seizures happen during sleep, and without someone present, the person may not receive timely help or even know the seizure occurred.
Learn more about recognizing signs you had a seizure in your sleep.
For families managing nocturnal seizures, constant bedroom monitoring isn't realistic or sustainable. You can't stay awake every night, and even if you could, the exhaustion would impact your health and your ability to provide care during the day.
This is where modern epilepsy monitoring makes a meaningful difference. Lampsy is a seizure monitoring device designed specifically for nighttime safety. Unlike wearables that require straps against the skin or devices that invade privacy, Lampsy seamlessly integrates into a bedside lamp. It monitors for the distinctive movements of tonic-clonic seizures with over 99% accuracy and immediately alerts caregivers when help is needed.
The device uses privacy-preserved video monitoring, meaning you maintain dignity while ensuring safety. There are no uncomfortable wearables to remember, no obvious medical equipment that draws attention, and no compromises on independence. For parents of children with epilepsy or caregivers of adults who need nighttime support, Lampsy provides the peace of mind that someone will know if a seizure happens during the night.
Ready to learn more about nighttime seizure safety?
Download our free Seizure First Aid Guide for a printable template you can keep at home, share with family or give to schools.
What to Do After the Seizure Ends
The moments after a seizure are just as important as the seizure itself. The person will be disoriented, exhausted, and vulnerable.
Check for injuries. Look for any cuts, bruises, or signs of head injury that may have occurred. Check if they've bitten their tongue or inside of their cheek.
Keep them on their side. This recovery position helps maintain a clear airway as they regain consciousness.
Stay with them until they're fully alert. Don't leave them alone. Sit with them, speak gently, and give them time to understand where they are and what happened.
Provide a quiet, calm environment. Bright lights, loud noises, and crowds can be overwhelming. If possible, move onlookers away and give the person space.
Don't rush them. Recovery takes time. They may sleep, which is completely normal. Don't try to wake them or rush them to stand up.
Offer reassurance without overwhelming them with questions. Let them know they're safe. Answer questions simply if they ask, but don't barrage them with "Do you remember?" or "Are you okay?"
Help them get home or to a safe place. If the seizure happened in public, they may need assistance getting home. They should not drive or operate machinery until fully recovered.
Document what happened. Write down the date, time, duration, any triggers you noticed, and how they recovered. This information helps their healthcare team adjust treatment if needed. Keeping a seizure diary can reveal patterns over time!
Seizure First Aid Checklist
Print this checklist and keep it somewhere visible in your home, or share it with teachers, colleagues, or family members who spend time with someone who has epilepsy.
During the Seizure:
☐ Stay calm and stay with the person
☐ Note the time the seizure starts
☐ Cushion their head with something soft
☐ Clear away dangerous objects
☐ Loosen tight clothing around the neck
☐ Turn them on their side when safe to do so
☐ Speak calmly and reassuringly
Do NOT:
☐ Put anything in their mouth
☐ Restrain their movements
☐ Give food or water
☐ Leave them alone
Call emergency services if:
☐ Seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
☐ It's their first seizure
☐ They're injured
☐ Another seizure starts immediately after
☐ They don't regain consciousness afterward
After the Seizure:
☐ Check for injuries
☐ Keep them on their side
☐ Stay until they're fully alert
☐ Provide a calm environment
☐ Help them get to safety
☐ Document the seizure details
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you die from a seizure?
While most seizures end naturally and safely, there are risks. SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) is rare but real, which is why proper monitoring and first aid matter. Seizures lasting over 5 minutes, seizures in water, or severe injuries during seizures can be life-threatening. This is why timing seizures and knowing when to call for help is so important.
How long does a typical tonic-clonic seizure last?
Most tonic-clonic seizures last between 1-3 minutes. The tonic phase (stiffening) typically lasts 10-20 seconds, followed by the clonic phase (jerking) of 1-2 minutes. If a seizure continues beyond 5 minutes, call emergency services immediately.
Should I call an ambulance every time someone has a seizure?
Not necessarily. If the person has diagnosed epilepsy, the seizure follows their normal pattern, lasts less than 5 minutes, and they recover normally, emergency services may not be needed. However, call emergency services for first seizures, seizures lasting over 5 minutes, injuries, or if something seems wrong.
What is the recovery position and why is it important?
The recovery position means laying the person on their side with their top leg bent and their head tilted back slightly. This position keeps their airway open and allows saliva or vomit to drain from their mouth rather than blocking their airway or being inhaled into their lungs.
Why do people bite their tongue during a seizure?
During the tonic phase, all muscles contract forcefully, including the jaw. If the tongue is between the teeth when this happens, it gets bitten. This is painful and can bleed significantly, but it heals. Never try to prevent this by putting objects in their mouth, as this causes more harm than the tongue bite itself.
Can seizures cause brain damage?
A single seizure that ends quickly typically does not cause brain damage. However, prolonged seizures (status epilepticus) or frequent seizures over time can potentially affect brain function. This is another reason why proper seizure management and medical treatment are so important.
What should I tell my child about their seizures?
Be honest but age-appropriate. Explain that their brain sometimes sends mixed-up signals that make their body move in ways they can't control, but it's not their fault and there are people and tools to keep them safe. Emphasize that having epilepsy doesn't define who they are. Supporting children with epilepsy requires balancing protection with independence.
Are there different types of seizures that need different first aid?
Yes. Absence seizures (brief staring spells) and focal seizures (where the person remains partially aware) require different approaches than tonic-clonic seizures. Generally, you guide the person away from danger, stay with them, and don't restrain them. The principles of staying calm, ensuring safety, and not putting anything in their mouth apply to all seizure types.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about seizure first aid and should not replace professional medical advice. If you or someone you care for has epilepsy, work with qualified healthcare providers to develop a personalized seizure action plan. Always call emergency services if you're unsure whether a seizure requires immediate medical attention.
