Seizure / Fits
Protect from injury. Never restrain or put anything in the mouth.
urgentHIGH-CONFIDENCE GUIDANCEReviewed 2026-08-18
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RECOGNIZE
- Sudden collapse with stiffening and jerking of the limbs.
- Loss of awareness, staring, unresponsive to voice.
- Frothing at the mouth, tongue biting, loss of bladder control.
- Afterwards: confusion, drowsiness and slow recovery.
CALL
- Call 112 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
- Call 112 if another seizure starts before the person recovers.
- Call 112 for a first-ever seizure, seizure with injury, in water, in pregnancy, or if breathing is abnormal after it stops.
DO NOW
- 1NOTE THE START TIMELook at the clock now — how long the seizure lasts decides what happens next.
- 2CLEAR THE SPACEMove furniture and hard or hot objects away from them.
- 3PROTECT THE HEADPut something soft under the head and loosen anything tight around the neck.
- 4DO NOT HOLD THEM DOWNNever restrain the person and never put anything in their mouth.
- 5AT 5 MINUTES, CALL 112If jerking has not stopped by 5 minutes, call 112 now.
- 6AFTER IT STOPS, TURN THEM ON THEIR SIDEPlace them in the recovery position, check breathing, and stay until they are fully alert.
DO NOT DO
- DO NOT put a spoon, cloth, finger or any object in the mouth.
- DO NOT restrain their movements.
- DO NOT give food, water or tablets during or immediately after a seizure.
- DO NOT try to force medication into the mouth during a seizure.
- DO NOT crowd around, and do not make the person stand up too early.
- DO NOT use shoes, onions or metal objects as 'remedies'.
WHILE WAITING FOR HELP
- Time the seizure and note what the movements looked like.
- Stay calm and keep bystanders back to give the person privacy.
- Keep them on their side and watch breathing until they recover.
- Reassure them as they wake — confusion after a seizure is normal.
WHEN TO ESCALATE
- Seizure lasting over 5 minutes, or repeated seizures → medical emergency, call 112.
- Not breathing normally after the seizure → Cardiac Arrest flow.
- Seizure with head injury, fever in a child, pregnancy or diabetes → urgent medical care.
AFTERCARE
- Let them rest; do not send them home alone.
- A first seizure always needs medical assessment.
- People with epilepsy should follow their doctor's personal seizure plan.
MEDICAL SOURCES
American Red Cross
Focused Updates and Guidelines for First Aid
Published / updated 2024 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
European Resuscitation Council
ERC Guidelines — Basic Life Support and First Aid
Published / updated 2021 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
Open source
This content is educational first-aid guidance and does not replace emergency medical care. Guidelines can change. Verify clinical guidance periodically.