Knowing how to respond to a seizure can save lives and prevent serious injury.
According to guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), a seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily disrupts how the brain works.
When witnessing someone experiencing a seizure, the public is advised to follow clear, practical steps to ensure the individual's safety.
First, lay the person down on their side with their head turned to help with breathing. To protect the person from physical harm, place something soft under their head.
It is also critical to ensure the person is breathing properly, which can be done by loosening any clothing around the neck and removing eyeglasses.
Bystanders must stay with the person until the seizure stops and they wake up completely.
Public health guidance highlights critical actions to avoid during these episodes: observers must not restrain the person or put anything in their mouth.
Understanding these standardised response measures equips communities to handle medical emergencies effectively and safely.
