Be prepared to give the following information:

• The type of emergency. (i.e. status epilpeticus or an injury due to a seizure)
• Your name
• The address or location and main intersection
• The telephone number you are calling from

Remember: an emergency call (911) from a pay phone is free)

Before the ambulance arrives

•  Be aware of anything which could cause further injury. Generally, do not move the patient unless life is threatened.
  • Put out any fires.
  • Turn off or remove exposed sources of electricity.
  • Warn oncoming traffic.
  • Remove the person in need from smoke, water, or poison gas.
• Do not try to perform standard first aid for injuries such as burns and broken bones, unless you are certified to do so. Ask the 911 operator for assistance.
• Clear a path to the patient: move furniture and unlock doors.
• Have someone ready to meet the ambulance, if possible.
• Be sure your house number is clearly visible from the street and turn on the outside lights at night.
  • If you live in an apartment, try to meet the ambulance at the lobby door and have the elevator ready.

Remember: emergency personnel must find you in order to help you.

 When the ambulance arrives

•  Stay calm. Give clear information. You may want to write the information on a piece of paper.
• Be prepared to answer the following questions related to the patient’s condition:
  • consciousness
  • breathing
  • bleeding
  • how long the seizure lasted
  • changes in seizure activity
  • seizure type
  • injuries

Call an ambulance if you notice any of these warning signals during and/or after a seizure.

• A seizure lasts longer than five minutes or starts again after a few minutes.
  • This could be status epilepticus, which requires immediate medical assistance.
• Unusual pain after the seizure.
  • This can be a symptom of seizure-related injury. Seniors may be bruised or have broken bones if they have fallen on a hard object.
• The person has hit his/her head during the seizure.
• Laboured breathing or chest pain.
• Serious burns on the body.
• Consciousness does not return after the seizure.
• Pupils of the eyes are different sizes or dilated (bigger) after the seizure.
• The person feels confused for more than an hour after a seizure.
  • Note: temporary confusion is common, but prolonged confusion requires medical help.

Seek emergency help if you notice any of these symptoms. They could be adverse effects of an antiepileptic drug (AED).

• Allergic reactions
• Rashes
• Rapid eye movement when awake
• Drunken or sloppy gait

If you are living with or caring for someone with a seizure disorder who has other medical problems, check with the doctor about how to respond when a seizure happens.

1. Does the doctor want to be notified every time, or just in certain circumstances?
2. Should you call an ambulance?
3. Are there any special warning signals you should look for?

When you see someone having a seizure, do not be frightened. Remain calm and remember the following facts:

Duration

• Once a seizure has started, you cannot stop it – just let it run its course and end naturally on its own.
• Most seizures last from seconds to a few minutes, although the person may be confused for some time afterward.
• If someone is at risk of having prolonged seizures their health care professional may prescribe a medication to be administered during a prolonged seizure to help stop the seizure.
• Emergency medical treatment is necessary when a seizure does not end on its own. Call 911 if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if a second seizure starts before the person has recovered from the first seizure. 

Common concerns

• If a person starts to bleed from the mouth, s/he has probably bitten their tongue and is most likely not bleeding for any other reason. This can be taken care of after the seizure ends.
• Breathing may be shallow during a seizure. Regular breathing should return when the seizure ends.
• People don’t feel pain during a seizure, although muscles might be sore afterward.