This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
What to Do When Someone Has an Active Seizure: First Aid Guide
Witnessing a seizure can be alarming, but basic first-aid measures can protect the person from injury and maintain an open airway. The primary goals are to prevent physical trauma, time the duration of the episode, and ensure proper positioning once muscle contractions ease. Knowing what not to do—such as avoiding physical restraint or placing items in the mouth—is just as critical as active intervention.
Quick Summary
Keep the person safe from nearby hazards, cushion their head, time the seizure, turn them onto their side, and never restrain them or put anything in their mouth.
Important Medical Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for medical concerns.
Step-by-Step Guide
Stay calm and check the time
Look at a watch or your phone immediately to note when the seizure starts. Tracking the exact duration is vital, as medical teams need this information to guide treatment decisions. Most generalized convulsive seizures resolve on their own within 1 to 2 minutes.
Protect the person from physical hazards
Clear the immediate area by moving away hard, sharp, hot, or heavy objects that could cause injury during involuntary movements. Gently place something soft and flat, such as a folded jacket or small pillow, under their head to prevent head trauma against hard floors. Loosen tight clothing around the neck, such as ties, collars, or scarves, to help maintain an unobstructed airway.
Do not restrain or hold them down
Allow the involuntary muscle jerks and movements to run their course without trying to stop them. Applying force to hold someone down does not halt the seizure and can cause severe musculoskeletal injuries, such as fractures, joint dislocations, or soft tissue tears. Only guide their limbs gently if they are in direct danger of striking a hazard that cannot be moved.
Important: Never physically pin down, hold, or forcefully restrict a person who is actively seizing.
Never put anything in the person's mouth
It is physically impossible for a person to swallow their own tongue during a seizure. Placing spoons, fingers, bite blocks, or cloths into their mouth can shatter teeth, puncture the tongue, trigger severe throat spasms, or choke the person. Do not offer food, fluids, or oral medications until the individual is completely alert and responsive.
Important: Never attempt to force objects, medication, or fingers into the mouth of a seizing person.
Roll them into the recovery position
As soon as the active, violent jerking ceases, gently roll the person onto their side into the recovery position. If the person has excessive saliva, blood, or vomit in their mouth during the episode, carefully guide them onto their side immediately so gravity can drain fluids away from the trachea. Ensure their head is tilted slightly back and their chin is lifted to keep the airway open.
Stay present and provide calm reassurance
Remain by their side until they are fully conscious, oriented, and able to communicate normally. After a seizure, people enter a postictal state characterized by confusion, severe fatigue, headache, or temporary memory loss. Speak softly, explain where they are, and reassure them that they are safe.
Determine if emergency services are required
Evaluate whether professional medical intervention is urgently needed based on clinical red flags. Call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately if the seizure lasts 5 minutes or longer, if a second seizure begins shortly after the first, or if the person does not regain consciousness. You must also call emergency services if the individual is pregnant, injured, has diabetes, was in water when the seizure started, or has no known history of seizures.
Important: A seizure lasting 5 minutes or longer is a medical emergency known as status epilepticus and requires immediate advanced emergency care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone swallow their tongue during a seizure?
When is an active seizure considered a 911 emergency?
Should I start CPR while someone is actively seizing?
What is the postictal phase and how should I manage it?
Sources & References
- 1
- 2Mayo ClinicSource
- 3
- 4
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed October 19, 2026. · Read our editorial policy