Administering first aid to a person having a seizure is no more difficult than administering first aid to a person who is wounded. The basics are the basics.

First and foremost, make sure the area is safe for the victim and yourself. Remove any obstacles or people who may cause further injury to the victim or themselves. See to it that any on-lookers are sent away, as the victim may be embarrassed by an audience upon waking.

Next, if you are witnessing and caring for a friend or loved one and you know that this is the person's first seizure, call 911. It is vital that a first time Epileptic episode be monitored by a physician, to determine the cause.

The categories of seizure, and the symptom indications, in short, are as follows:

Grand Mal / generalized Tonic/Colonic - is a seizure that involves the whole body. Usually manifesting muscle rigidity, violent muscle contractions and a loss of consciousness.

Petit Mal / Absence - a seizure characterized by an altered state of consciousness, or loss of awareness. Often manifesting in the form of "staring episodes".

Myoclonic Seizure - a seizure manifesting irregular and involuntary contractions of a muscle, often as a result of functional disorder of controlling motor neurons.

Atonic- a seizure involving sudden loss of muscle tone causing a "drop attack". Manifesting by a dropping of the head or a limb. This causes the person to fall or "crumble" to the ground.

Infantile Spasms- a seizure that occurs in infants, manifesting by jerking of the body.

Seizures involving absence or unresponsiveness do not, necessarily, require first aid. Unless they are complicated by outside involvement such as a fall, or head injury caused by the seizure itself or some other occurrence. Simply remain calm, and prevent injury to the seizure victim by making sure there is nothing in the area that will harm the person.

Always monitor the length of the seizure. Most seizure episodes begin and end within a five minute period of time. If the seizure victim is known to have a seizure disorder and you are aware of the "normal seizure" time, monitor and see to it that the episode does not last an inordinately long time period. If this should happen, or the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or another seizure begins immediately after the cessation of the first, call 911.

Make the seizure victim as comfortable as possible. Keep onlookers away, as stated above. The victim is entitled to their dignity. Loosen the persons clothing, particularly around the neck. You can put something soft under the seizure victims head to minimize or prevent head injury, if available.

Do not hold or restrain the victim. There is no reason to control the convulsions, and any attempt of control may cause further injury. It is important to consider your own safety, as well.

Do not put anything in the seizure victims mouth, particularly your fingers. It has been medically disproved that a seizure can cause an individual to swallow their tongue.

After a seizure, the victim is often confused, upset and fatigued. They should be helped to lie on their left side and rest, as there is a risk of vomiting. Cover the victim if they are indicating that they are cold. Remain with the seizure victim until professional medical providers arrive. Or the victim is fully conscious and aware, and with a family member or someone to monitor them.

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