If someone is having a seizure, stay calm and stay with them. Time it. Move hard or sharp objects away and cushion their head. Do not hold them down or put anything in their mouth. When the jerking stops, roll them onto their side into the recovery position and stay until they have fully recovered.
Epilepsy Ireland sums this up as TIME, SAFE, STAY. Most seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. Epilepsy Action says most tonic-clonic seizures last 1 to 3 minutes. A seizure that goes past 5 minutes is an emergency.
Get help now: call 112 or 999 (Ireland), 999 (UK) or 911 (US) if:
Sources: HSE and NHS. Epilepsy Ireland adds: call if you don't know whether they have epilepsy, if they are pregnant, or if you are in any doubt.
A convulsive (tonic-clonic) seizure is the type most people picture. The person goes stiff, loses consciousness, falls and then jerks. They may cry out, bite their tongue or wet themselves. Their lips may look blue. On brown or black skin, colour change may be easier to see on the lips, gums or palms.
TIME, SAFE, STAY (Epilepsy Ireland):
Do not:
These points come from the NHS and Epilepsy Action.
Look for an epilepsy ID card, bracelet or phone medical ID. It may tell you what their usual seizures look like and what to do.
Once the jerking stops, put them on their side. This helps them breathe. Epilepsy Action describes these steps:
Their breathing may sound heavy or snoring for a while. That is common after a tonic-clonic seizure. If they wet themselves, Epilepsy Action suggests covering them with a coat or blanket for dignity, and moving bystanders away.
The recovery phase can last minutes, hours or longer. People are often confused, tired, sore or frightened. Some need to sleep. Epilepsy Action notes that a few people have temporary weakness in part of the body, called Todd's paresis. It goes away on its own, but a new episode is usually checked with a scan to rule out a stroke.
Stay with them. Tell them gently where they are and what happened. Fill them in on anything they missed.
If you can, note down what you saw. The NHS suggests recording:
A short phone video is also very useful to doctors, if it can be taken respectfully. Witness accounts are often the main evidence when epilepsy is being diagnosed. An EEG between seizures is often normal.
Not every seizure is dramatic. Some just look like confusion or daydreaming.
Focal seizures. The person may seem unaware, pluck at clothes, smack their lips, swallow repeatedly or wander. Epilepsy Action advises:
Absence seizures. These are brief blank spells, often only seconds. Guide the person away from danger and stay with them. Epilepsy Action says to call an ambulance if an absence seizure lasts 10 minutes or longer.
In a wheelchair. The NHS says to put the brakes on and leave any seatbelt or harness on. Support them gently and cushion their head, but do not try to move them.
Status epilepticus means a seizure that lasts too long, or seizures that follow each other without recovery. NICE defines convulsive status epilepticus as a seizure lasting 5 minutes or more (NICE NG217). It needs emergency treatment.
Epilepsy Action calls convulsive status a life-threatening emergency. It says the earlier treatment starts, the more likely it is to work. Non-convulsive status, from a focal or absence seizure lasting longer than 10 minutes, can be harder to spot. The person may just seem confused or not themselves.
Rescue medicine. Some people with epilepsy have an emergency medicine prescribed for long seizures. It is set out in their care plan. Only give it if you have been trained to, and follow the plan exactly. If you are unsure, call 112 or 999.
No. The HSE and NHS both say people diagnosed with epilepsy usually do not need hospital after every seizure. Many have a care plan that says what to do and when to call for help. If you know the person and have been shown their plan, follow it.
If you don't know the person, you don't know what is usual for them. In that case, call. Epilepsy Ireland is direct about this: no one will be annoyed at you for calling an ambulance out of real concern.
If someone has an apparent first seizure but recovers and you don't go to hospital, the HSE says to get an urgent GP appointment. Our guide to urgent and out-of-hours care in Ireland explains where to go. A minor injury unit is not the right place for a seizure.
Febrile seizures can happen when a young child has a high temperature. The HSE says they are most common between 6 months and 3 years, and usually harmless. First aid is similar: recovery position, a safe place, loosen tight clothing, stay with them and time it. Never put anything in their mouth, including medicine.
Phone 112 or 999, or go to an emergency department, if it is their first seizure, it lasts longer than 5 minutes, they have trouble breathing, they don't wake up after it stops, or you think a serious illness such as meningitis may be the cause.
Some faints cause brief jerking, and some seizure-like attacks are functional (dissociative) seizures. The first aid in the moment is the same: keep the person safe, time it, and stay with them. Telling them apart is a job for doctors. Read more about fainting and blackouts and functional neurological disorder.
Anyone who has had a seizure must stop driving and get medical advice. In Ireland, the National Driver Licence Service must be told. Our guide to driving with a neurological condition in Ireland covers the rules.
Epilepsy Ireland (01 455 7500) runs seizure first aid training and has free posters. Epilepsy Action (UK) runs a helpline on 0808 800 5050. If you live or work with someone who has epilepsy, ask to see their care plan.
Should I put something in their mouth so they don't swallow their tongue? No. Never put anything in someone's mouth during a seizure, including your fingers. The NHS, HSE and epilepsy charities all say this.
Should I hold them still? No. Holding someone down can injure them or you. Move dangers away from them instead, and cushion their head.
When should I call an ambulance? If it is a first seizure, it lasts more than 5 minutes, another follows without recovery, they are injured or struggling to breathe, or they don't come round. If you're in any doubt, call 112 or 999.
What if the seizure happens in a wheelchair or a car seat? Leave them seated and strapped in. Put wheelchair brakes on, support them gently and cushion their head. Do not try to move them.
This article is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 112 or 999 (Ireland), 999 (UK) or 911 (US).
Reviewed by: Proco Team
Last updated: November 2026