✔ Backed by: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · National Institutes of Health (NIH/NINDS) · American Academy of Pediatrics · MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) · Danny Did Foundation. Each fact links to its source, and the full list is at the bottom of this post.
In an emergency, call 911. Call 911 if a seizure lasts longer than 1 minute or the person does not wake up quickly afterward,[6] if one seizure follows another, if the person has trouble breathing, or if any of the other warning signs listed below apply.[1]
Picture this. You are in line at the grocery store, and the man ahead of you suddenly drops to the floor and starts to shake. People freeze. Someone shouts, “Put something in his mouth!” Someone else grabs his arms to hold him still. Both of those moves are wrong, and both can cause harm. That’s why basic seizure first aid matters.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month.[5] It is a good time for all of us to learn seizure first aid. A few simple steps can keep someone safe during a seizure. You do not need medical training. You need to stay calm, protect the person, and know when to call for help.
This post walks through seizure first aid and the moments that call for 911. It also shows how people living with epilepsy and their families can plan ahead.
Epilepsy is more common than many people think
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes seizures that keep coming back.[3] A seizure happens when brain activity gets out of rhythm for a short time.
You probably know someone who lives with it. During 2021 and 2022, about 2.9 million adults in the United States said they had active epilepsy. That is about 1 in every 100 adults. About 456,000 children and teens also have it.[2] Some groups carry a heavier load. For example, people who identify as sexual and gender minorities are about twice as likely to report active epilepsy as others.[3]
The good news is that treatment helps many people. Anti-seizure medicine is the most common treatment, and it works well for many people. About 1 in 3 people still have seizures even after trying several medicines. For some of them, other options such as surgery may be discussed with a specialist.[3] That is a decision for a person and their care team, not something to figure out alone.
Seizure first aid: stay, keep safe, and time it
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives a short set of seizure first aid steps anyone can use.[1] Think of them as three jobs: stay with the person, keep them safe, and watch the clock.
First, keep yourself and the people around you calm, and stay with the person. Move anything nearby that could hurt them, like a chair, a sharp edge, or a hot drink. Look to see if they wear a medical bracelet. It may tell you about their condition or who to call.[1]
If the person is lying down, gently turn them on their side with their mouth pointing toward the ground. Then check the time. Timing matters. MedlinePlus is from the National Library of Medicine. It says to call 911 right away if a seizure lasts more than 1 minute. Also call if the person does not wake up quickly.[6] CDC uses 5 minutes as its cutoff,[1] but to be safe, we suggest the shorter time. It can help to say out loud, “It started at 2:15,” or to start the timer on your phone. Time can feel much longer than it is when you are scared.
When the seizure ends, help the person sit in a safe spot to rest. Once they are alert, comfort them and explain what happened. Offer to call a friend or family member to help them get home safely.[1]
You can say: “You had a seizure. You are safe. I stayed with you the whole time. Would you like me to call someone for you?”
Seizure first aid if the person falls and shakes
CDC lists extra steps for a type called generalized seizures.[1] If the person seems to be falling, ease them to the ground. Turn them gently onto one side with their mouth pointing down. Clear the space around them. Slide something soft and flat, like a folded jacket, under their head. Take off their glasses. Then loosen anything tight around their neck, such as a tie or a scarf, that could make breathing harder. And keep timing the seizure.[1]
What not to do
Some of the most common “helpful” moves can cause injuries. CDC is clear about what to avoid:[1]
- Do not hold the person down or try to stop their movements.
- Do not put anything in their mouth.
- Do not give mouth-to-mouth breaths during the seizure.
- Do not offer food or water until they are fully alert.
If someone near you starts to reach for a spoon or grab the person’s arms, you can calmly say: “Let’s not hold him or put anything in his mouth. Let’s turn him on his side and time it.”
When to call 911
Many seizures end on their own, and not every seizure needs an ambulance. But some situations do. Call 911 if any of these are true:[1][6]
- The seizure lasts longer than 1 minute, or the person does not wake up quickly afterward.
- Another seizure starts soon after the first one.
- The person has trouble breathing or waking up afterward.
- The person got hurt during the seizure.
- The seizure happened in water.
- The person has never had a seizure before.
- The person has diabetes and passes out.
- The person is pregnant.
If you are not sure, it is okay to call. Dispatchers can talk you through what to do while help is on the way.
Living with epilepsy: make a seizure action plan
Do you or someone you love have epilepsy? Then a written seizure action plan can take a lot of guesswork out of a scary moment. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes what a good plan includes for children at school. The same idea works for adults at work or at home.[4]
A plan is reviewed and signed by the person’s doctor. It explains the person’s type of epilepsy and what to do if a seizure happens. It also lists their current seizure medicines and any rescue medicine instructions. It also spells out clearly what counts as an emergency and what to do.[4] For children, copies should go to teachers and school staff. The plan should also travel along on the bus, to field trips, and to sports.[4]
Think about who else should have a copy. A babysitter, a coach, a trusted coworker, or a roommate may be standing nearby when a seizure happens. You can ask your clinician: “Can we fill out a seizure action plan together at this visit? Who do you think should get a copy?”
Tru-Tips: Keep a photo of the plan on your phone, and tape a copy inside a kitchen cabinet door. Then the people who help you do not have to dig for it.
When cost or travel gets in the way
Getting steady care is not always easy. CDC reports that adults with epilepsy have a harder time getting health care than adults without it. They are more likely to skip medicine doses to save money. They also have more trouble finding a provider or specialist. And they more often put off care because of transportation problems.[2]
If any of that sounds familiar, you are not alone. And you do not have to just put up with it. Tell your care team or pharmacist if the cost of medicine is a problem, before you run out. Never change or stop seizure medicine on your own; talk with your prescriber first. You can say: “I am having trouble paying for my seizure medicine. Are there lower-cost options or help programs I could look into?” The SynquUp Medication Copay Finder can help you look for medicine savings programs. The SynquUp Care Navigator can help you look for specialists and rides to appointments.
Helping without staring
One more thing makes a big difference: how we treat people after a seizure. Give the person space and privacy. Ask the crowd to step back. Speak kindly and plainly. A seizure is a medical event, not something to be afraid of or to joke about. The calm, respectful way you act can help someone feel safe instead of ashamed.
One Tru Step: Take two minutes today to read CDC’s seizure first aid steps out loud with someone in your home. Then practice saying, “Turn them on their side and time it.”
Let’s talk
Have you ever helped someone during a seizure, or had someone help you? What do you wish more people knew? Share your tips in the comments.
Sources and further reading
- CDC: First Aid for Seizures
- CDC: Epilepsy Facts and Stats
- NIH, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS Recognizes National Epilepsy Awareness Month
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Children with Epilepsy at School
- Danny Did Foundation: November National Epilepsy Awareness Month
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine): When to use the emergency room – adult
Sources checked October 20, 2026. General education; individual care and coverage questions require an appropriate professional.
Related Health Hubs
- Emergency Readiness
- Caregiver Support
- Medication Management and Safety
- Healthcare Costs and Financial Assistance
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