Someone Having a Seizure: What to Do and When to Call 911
If someone is having a seizure, stay calm, note the time, move hard or sharp things away and cushion their head. Call 911 if it lasts more than 5 minutes, if it is their first seizure, if they are injured, have trouble breathing afterwards or one seizure follows another.
Do not hold them down and do not put anything in their mouth. When the shaking stops, turn them on their side and stay with them until they are fully alert.
Need help now? Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency, or reach our 24/7 line.
Key takeaways
- Stay calm, note the time and protect the person from injury.
- Never put anything in their mouth and never hold them down.
- Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or it is the first one.
- After the shaking stops, place them on their side (recovery position).
- Stay with them until they are fully alert, even if they seem to recover quickly.
Watching a seizure is frightening, but most seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. What you do in those minutes matters: the right steps protect the person from injury, and the wrong ones, like putting something in the mouth, can cause harm. This guide covers simple first aid for an adult and the signs that mean you must call 911. For children with a fever, see the guide on febrile seizures.
What does a seizure look like?
- The person may suddenly fall, stiffen or shake all over.
- They may not respond to you and their eyes may be open.
- Some seizures are subtle: staring, lip-smacking, confusion, or repeated movements.
- They may lose control of the bladder, or bite their tongue.
- Afterwards they may be drowsy, confused or tired for a while.
What should you do during a seizure?
- Stay calm and note the time the seizure started.
- Clear hard, sharp or hot things from around them.
- Cushion their head with something soft, such as a folded jacket.
- Loosen anything tight around the neck.
- Do not hold them down and do not put anything in their mouth.
- Do not give food, drink or medicine until they are fully awake.
What should you do after the shaking stops?
Check that they are breathing, then gently turn them onto their side so that saliva can drain and the airway stays clear. Speak calmly, tell them where they are, and stay until they are fully alert. A first seizure, an injury or any trouble breathing means an urgent medical assessment. Someone who has had a seizure after a head injury should also be checked, see adult head injury.
After a seizure: how urgent is it?
| Situation | Typical signs | How soon | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seizure over 5 minutes | Shaking that does not stop, or repeated seizures without waking | Right now | Call 911 |
| First-ever seizure | No known epilepsy, person recovering or still confused | Right now | Call 911 or go to the ER |
| Injury, trouble breathing or pregnancy | Head injury, water, breathing difficulty, diabetes or pregnant | Right now | Call 911 |
| Known epilepsy, usual short seizure | Stops within minutes, recovers as usual | Per their care plan | Follow their plan and inform their doctor |
When is this an emergency?
Call 911 or go to the ER now if:
- A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes.
- One seizure straight after another without waking in between.
- It is the person's first seizure.
- Trouble breathing, blue lips or not waking up afterwards.
- A seizure after a head injury, in water, or in someone who is pregnant or has diabetes.
- An injury during the seizure.
- Confusion, weakness, speech trouble or severe headache that does not clear.
Do any of these match? For a life-threatening emergency call 911. For other urgent problems, our Dabouq emergency department is open 24/7.
See a doctor the same day if:
- A known seizure that is different from the person's usual ones.
- More seizures than usual in a short time.
- A seizure after missing medicine or after heavy drinking.
- A short blackout or odd episode that has never been assessed.
May be managed at home, with follow-up, if:
- A person with known epilepsy who has had a short, usual seizure and recovers fully, following their care plan.
- Rest afterwards in a quiet place with someone nearby.
- Write down what happened to share with their doctor.
What happens when you come to Emergency Plus?
At the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, emergency doctors are on site 24/7 and you can walk in without an appointment. The team will ask about your symptoms, check you, and may use the on-site X-ray, ultrasound or laboratory where they are needed. They will explain the right next step for you, in Arabic or English.
Seizure and not sure what to do?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and don't drive yourself. For anything urgent that is not life-threatening, the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 with no appointment, with an Arabic and English speaking team.
Call our 24/7 ER: +962 79 247 1313Sources
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.