Seizures

Question 1

If the person is known to have periodic seizures, there may be no need to summon EMS personnel. They usually will recover from a seizure in a few minutes. However, you should summon more advanced medical personnel if….

Answer 1

However, summon more advanced medical personnel if:
1. The seizure occurs in the water
2. This is the person’s first seizure
3. The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
4. The person has repeated seizures with no lucid period (a time when awake and alert).
5. The person appears to be injured.
6. The cause of the seizure is unknown.
7. The person is pregnant.
8. The person is known to have diabetes.
9. The person fails to regain consciousness after the seizure. 10. The person is an older adult and may have suffered a stroke.

Question 2

Generalized seizures usually last 1 to 3 minutes and can produce a wide range of signs and symptoms. What are some of the signs and symptoms?

Answer 2

When this type of seizure occurs, the person loses consciousness and can fall, causing injury. The person may become rigid and then experience sudden, uncontrollable muscular convulsions lasting several minutes.

Breathing may become irregular and even stop temporarily. A seizure is also considered a possible sign of cardiac arrest, so the victim should be assessed and monitored closely.

Question 3

Seeing someone have a seizure may be intimidating, but you can provide care for the person. The person cannot control any muscular convulsions that may occur, and it is important to allow the seizure to run its course because attempting to restrain the person can cause further injury.

How do you provide care to a person having a seizure?

Answer 3

To provide care to a person having a seizure:

1. Protect the person from injury by moving nearby objects away from the person.
2. Protect the person’s head by placing a thin cushion under the head and shoulders to keep the airway open. Folded clothing makes an adequate cushion.
3. If possible and safe to do so, place the person in a side-lying recovery position during the seizure. If not possible, place the person in a side-lying recovery position immediately following the seizure unless there is a suspected head, neck or spinal injury.
4. When the seizure is over, the person usually begins to breathe normally. They may be drowsy and disoriented or unresponsive for a period of time.
5. Check to see if the person was injured during the seizure. Be reassuring and comforting. If the seizure occurred in public, the person may be embarrassed and self-conscious. Ask bystanders not to crowd around the person. They will be tired and want to rest. Stay with the person until they are fully awake and alert.

Question 4

If a person has a seizure in the water, what steps should a lifeguard follow?

Answer 4

1. Summon EMS personnel.
2. Support the person with their head above water until the seizure ends.
3. Remove the person from the water as soon as possible after the seizure (since they may have inhaled or swallowed water), or if directed by EMS personnel for a prolonged seizure.
4. Once on land, position the person on their back and perform a primary assessment. Give ventilations or CPR, if needed. If the person vomits, turn the victim on their side to drain fluids from the mouth. Sweep out the mouth (or suction out the mouth if you are trained to do so).
5. If the victim is breathing normally, position the victim on their side and continue to monitor their airway and breathing until the victim is fully awake and alert.