Special Circumstances

Sometimes a typical seizure has the potential to become an emergency, depending on the incident’s location. For example, having a generalized tonic-clonic or complex partial seizure in water or at a high location would require a special response. 

Also, depending on the location, a person can be in an emergency situation with a potential risk of injury if they have a complex partial seizure – where they are dazed, wandering, and have no awareness of their surroundings.

When determining how to handle an emergency situation, remember that the individual should not be grabbed unless it’s completely necessary. Only in extreme cases, such as a person wandering towards traffic, should a person having a complex partial seizure be grabbed.

Heights and Water

Having a generalized tonic-clonic or complex partial seizure in water or at a high location would require a special response.

When a person is in danger of falling, restrain him or her until the seizure is over and consciousness fully returns.

When a person is in a danger zone, physically restrain the person by blocking access to unsafe areas by standing in front of hazards.

Only if absolutely necessary should a person having a seizure be grabbed, such as if that person is walking towards a cliff.

When a person is having a seizure in water, remove him or her from the water as quickly as possible, keeping the head up, checking breathing afterwards, performing artificial respiration, if necessary, and making sure that a medical checkup is immediately given.

Other Emergency Locations

Additional emergency locations are freezing conditions, heat and machinery.