Seizure First Aid In Children

Key points about seizure first aid

• stay calm - remember the seizure will stop
• turn your child on their side so they will not choke on saliva or vomit
• time the seizure - if it lasts more than 5 minutes call an ambulance (dial 111 in New Zealand)

What should I do during my child's seizure?

Stay calm

Try to stay calm - remember it will stop. Your child is not going to die and it is not damaging their brain.

Clear a safe space around your child

Clear a safe space around your child and protect their head if there are jerking movements. You may need to lie them down on the floor (or move furniture away from them). 

Turn your child on their side

Turn your child on their side in the recovery position, so they will not choke on saliva or vomit. You may need to wait until the jerking stops to do this.

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The illustration shows a child with short brown hair, wearing a white T-shirt and shorts, lying on their side in the recovery position.

• The head is tilted to keep the airway open.
• The mouth is turned toward the ground.
• One hand is positioned under the head for support.
• The top knee is bent forward to stop the body from rolling.

At the top left is the KidsHealth logo with the website: kidshealth.org.nz

Time the seizure

Try to take note of the time the seizure started. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes call an ambulance. 

Make sure your child is safe

Loosen tight clothing.

Do not put your fingers or anything else in or near your child's mouth - your child may bite your fingers as part of the seizure.

Do not try to stop your child's movements.

You do not need to worry about your child swallowing their tongue. This does not happen.

Make sure your child is in the recovery position. 

Stay with your child

Stay with your child during the seizure. Tell them quietly that you are right beside them and you will keep them safe.

When to dial 111

Dial 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help if your child has:

• a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes
• 2 or more seizures in a row without waking properly between them
• had a head injury
• an injury during the seizure

Emergency seizure medicine

If your child has had a seizure that lasted longer than 5 minutes in the past, the doctor may give you a medicine to stop a seizure. This is sometimes called ‘rescue medicine’. You can give this to your child for a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes. 

Emergency Epileptic Seizure Medicine

Video your child if you can

If you can, or there is someone with you, try to get a video of the seizure with your phone to show your doctors.

Keeping A Record Of Seizures

What to do after your child's seizure

Put your child in the recovery position

If you couldn't put your child in the recovery position during their seizure, do this as soon as it’s over.

Let your child rest in a quiet place 

Let your child rest and recover for a while in a calm and quiet space. They may remain confused, feel strange and have sore muscles or a headache for some time afterwards.

Give pain relief if needed

If your child has bitten their tongue, paracetamol and an ice block can help (when they are awake enough to have them). When giving paracetamol, follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.

Write down what happened 

Write down the details of what happened to your child (before and during the seizure) so that you can remember what to tell your doctor. Record this on a calendar or seizure app.

See the KidsHealth page on keeping a record of seizures for more information. 

Keeping A Record Of Seizures

When to get medical help after your child's seizure

If you think your child has had a seizure for the first time, you should see a doctor urgently.

If your child has had a previous seizure and has another one, but has fully recovered, you don't usually need to call a doctor immediately or call an ambulance.

Tell your doctor that your child has had another seizure. 

Most tamariki (children) who have 2 seizures will go on to have more seizures. Most tamariki need anti-seizure medicine if they’ve had 2 seizures. This is to help prevent further seizures.  The specialists will talk about the options with you.

Printable emergency seizure plan for seizure first aid

This emergency seizure plan is a step-by-step guide for what to do if your child is having a seizure.

Keep a copy on the fridge or where everyone can see it.

Preview

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The illustration is a seizure first aid plan titled What to do if your child is having a seizure. The background is white with teal and black headings.

Eight numbered steps are listed on the left:

1. Stay calm and reassure your child.
2. Make sure your child is in a safe place. If not, lay them down on the floor, or move furniture or sharp objects.
3. Start timing the seizure. Video the seizure if you can.
4. Stay with your child during the seizure. Tell them quietly you are right beside them.
5. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes call an ambulance.
6. When the seizure has finished make sure your child is in the recovery position.
7. Let your child rest and recover in a calm and quiet space until back to normal.
8. Document the seizure in a seizure diary. If instructed, let your medical team know about the seizure.

On the right is an illustration of a child in the recovery position lying on their side. Labels point to:

• Head tilted to keep the airway open
• Mouth is toward the ground
• Hand supports the head
• Knee stops body from rolling

At the bottom, a green box reads When to dial 111 for an ambulance:

• Your child’s seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
• Your child has 2 or more seizures in a row
• Your child has had a head injury or injured themselves during the seizure

At the bottom left is the KidsHealth logo and website: kidshealth.org.nz. On the right is a QR code and web link for more information: kidshealth.org.nz/seizure-first-aid.

 

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