Helping Someone in Need

Public awareness of all types of epilepsy is very important. "A man steps out of a restaurant and suddenly cannot remember where he is. He starts walking aimlessly down the street, moving his lips and plucking at his clothes. A policeman arrests him for drunkenness"(46 Sands). This situation could have been avoided if the policeman had been more aware of the signs of epilepsy.

There are simple and proper steps to follow, according to the Epilepsy Foundation, if you witness a person having a seizure (of the tonic clonic type). All of these steps are important in aiding an epileptic.

What to do Explanation

1) Look for medical ID -Some people wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace to inform others of their condition. It may say "epilepsy" or "seizures" on the tag. If the person is not wearing a medical ID, do not rule out the possibility that what they are going through is a seizure.

2) Protect the person from nearby hazards. -Make sure that the person does not hit his/her head, or any part of his/her body on a nearby object.

3) Loosen the person's tie or shirt collar. -You want to make it easier for th eperson to get air into his/her lungs.

4) Place a folded jacket under his/her head. -This is a caution to take to support his/her head, and to cusion it as the body jerks.

5) Do not restrain the person. -It is important to let the seizure take its course. The person may look as if he/she is in pain, but he'she is not in pain. It is only important to protect the person form his/her surroundings.

6) Do not put any hard implement into the mouth. -Putting something in the mouth may cause damage to the teeth, or may cause a choking hazard.

7) Do not try to hold his/her tongue. -The tongue cannot be swallowed, so it is unnecessary.

8) Do not try to give liquids during or just after a seizure has occurred. -This could block the windpipe.

9) Turn the person on his/her side. -This keeps the airway clear from anything that may have been in the mouth before the seizure had occured. Also, at times a person may vomit during a seizure, so turning him/her, on his/her side keeps them from choking on it.

10) Only use artificial respiration if breathing is absent after muscle jerk subsides or if water has been inhaled. -Even though a person's face may turn blue during a seizure, they can still breath.

11) Only call an ambulance if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if another occurs soon after the first one. -Many people do not know what to do when a seizure occurs. They think it is an emergency and they dial 911. Unless a situation stated to the left occurs, an ambulance is unnecessary. It sometimes causes embarassment for the epilepitc, and it is unneeded time spent for the paramedics.

With public awareness and help, there is a bright future for the treatment and lives of epileptics.

(Sources for clipart:hands-www.barrysclipart.com; ambulance and x's-www.1clipart.com)

What to do	Explanation
1) Look for medical ID	-Some people wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace to inform others of their condition. It may say "epilepsy" or "seizures" on the tag. If the person is not wearing a medical ID, do not rule out the possibility that what they are going through is a seizure.
2) Protect the person from nearby hazards.	-Make sure that the person does not hit his/her head, or any part of his/her body on a nearby object.
3) Loosen the person's tie or shirt collar.	-You want to make it easier for th eperson to get air into his/her lungs.
4) Place a folded jacket under his/her head.	-This is a caution to take to support his/her head, and to cusion it as the body jerks.
5) Do not restrain the person.	-It is important to let the seizure take its course. The person may look as if he/she is in pain, but he'she is not in pain. It is only important to protect the person form his/her surroundings.
6) Do not put any hard implement into the mouth.	-Putting something in the mouth may cause damage to the teeth, or may cause a choking hazard.
7) Do not try to hold his/her tongue.	-The tongue cannot be swallowed, so it is unnecessary.
8) Do not try to give liquids during or just after a seizure has occurred.	-This could block the windpipe.
9) Turn the person on his/her side.	-This keeps the airway clear from anything that may have been in the mouth before the seizure had occured. Also, at times a person may vomit during a seizure, so turning him/her, on his/her side keeps them from choking on it.
10) Only use artificial respiration if breathing is absent after muscle jerk subsides or if water has been inhaled.	-Even though a person's face may turn blue during a seizure, they can still breath.
11) Only call an ambulance if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if another occurs soon after the first one.	-Many people do not know what to do when a seizure occurs. They think it is an emergency and they dial 911. Unless a situation stated to the left occurs, an ambulance is unnecessary. It sometimes causes embarassment for the epilepitc, and it is unneeded time spent for the paramedics.