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Seizure First Aid

A Seizure in Water

  • Support the person in the water with the head tilted so his face and head stay above the surface.
  • Remove him or her from the water as quickly as possible with the head in this position.
  • Examine him or her when on dry land and, if he or she is not breathing, begin artificial respiration at once.
  • Take him or her to an emergency room for a careful medical checkup, even if he or she appears to be fully recovered afterwards. Heart or lung damage from ingestion of water is a possible hazard in such cases.

A Seizure in an Airplane

  • If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across two or more seats with head and body turned on one side.
  • Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat.
  • If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the person is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase has passed, he can be turned gently while in the seat so that he is leaning towards one side.
  • Pillows or blankets can be arranged so that the head doesn't hit unpadded areas of the plane. However, care should be taken that the angle at which the person is sitting is such that his airway stays clear and breathing is unobstructed.

A Seizure on a Bus

  • Ease the person across a double or triple seat. Turn him or her on their side, and follow the same steps as indicated above.
  • If he or she wishes to do so, there is no reason why a person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay on the bus until he or she arrives at their destination.

When to seek medical assistance

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