How to handle someone having a seizure.
Never put your fingers or any hard object into the mouth of someone having a seizure to avoid damaging the oral mucosa, breaking teeth, or choking.
Dr. Nguyen Tran Nam, from the City Children's Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that during first aid, one should not move a person experiencing a seizure. Do not attempt to press down on the patient or do anything to stop the seizure.
"Do not use your hands, do not put hard objects like spoons or chopsticks, or squeeze lemon juice into the mouth of someone having a seizure because it is ineffective and can easily cause damage to the oral mucosa, broken teeth, or choking," Dr. Nam emphasized.
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Things to do and not to do when providing first aid to someone having a seizure. |
First aid steps for someone having a seizure.
Everyone needs to remain calm and ensure the environment around the person having a seizure is safe. Remove all sharp objects from the victim. A person having a seizure often loses consciousness and control, and may harm themselves or others.
Place a soft object under the victim's head to prevent head injury during a seizure.
Loosen clothing, especially anything tight around the neck or stomach, to prevent suffocation.
Turn the person having a seizure onto their side (preferably the left side) to prevent vomit or saliva from obstructing the airway.
Allow the victim to jerk naturally, avoiding restraining or restricting their jerking force. This action can cause muscle and skeletal injuries if the pressure applied is too great.
The seizure will usually stop within 2 to 4 minutes. If the seizure has stopped but the patient is still unconscious, call emergency services immediately at the nearest medical facility so that a doctor can examine and treat them promptly.