Someone is having a seizure. What do I do?
Stay with them, keep them safe, turn them on their side, and time the seizure.Never hold them down or put anything in their mouth. Call 911 if it lasts more than 5 minutes, another one follows, they’re hurt or have trouble breathing, it happens in water, or it might be their first seizure.
1 · MindWhat it is, and what to do
A seizure is a change in normal brain activity that lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. Most end on their own in a few minutes. Not all seizures look the same. Some make a person fall and shake. Others look like someone staring into space, wandering, or seeming confused and unable to answer questions. The Epilepsy Foundation sums up first aid in three words: Stay, Safe, Side.
Stay
- Stay calm and stay with the person until they’re fully awake and alert.
- Time the seizure.
- Check for a medical ID bracelet or card.
Safe
- Move hard or sharp things out of the way.
- If they’re falling, ease them to the ground.
- If they’re confused and walking, gently guide them away from traffic, heights or water.
Side
- If they aren’t fully awake, roll them onto their side with their mouth toward the ground, so they can breathe.
- Put something soft and flat, like a folded jacket, under their head. Loosen anything tight around the neck. Remove their glasses.
Do not:
- Hold them down or try to stop their movements.
- Put anything in their mouth. A person can’t swallow their tongue during a seizure.
- Give mouth-to-mouth breaths. People usually start breathing normally after a seizure.
- Give food, water or pills until they’re fully alert.
Call 911 if: the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes; another seizure follows soon after; they have trouble breathing or don’t wake up; they’re injured; it happens in water; it may be their first seizure; they’re pregnant; or they have diabetes and lose consciousness.
What each tradition or community says
Many people with epilepsy say waking up to a crowd of strangers is disorienting and embarrassing. They hope bystanders will keep them safe, give them room, and not film.
The CDC and the Epilepsy Foundation both teach that the bystander’s job is to stay, keep the person safe and time the seizure, not to stop it. Most seizures end in a few minutes.
Families of people with epilepsy often say a neighbor who knows basic seizure first aid gives them real peace of mind.
2 · HeartWhat it feels like
For the person having the seizure, the moments after can be confusing and tiring. They may not know where they are or what happened, and they may feel embarrassed. A calm voice saying “You had a seizure, you’re safe, I’m staying with you” helps a lot.
For you, watching a seizure can be frightening. Knowing the steps ahead of time turns fear into something you can do.
You can’t stop a seizure, and you don’t have to. You just have to stay, keep them safe, and turn them on their side.Neighbor Radio
3 · HandsHow to be a good neighbor
Learn the three words: Stay, Safe, Side. That’s most of what you need.
Afterward, help them sit somewhere safe. Once they’re alert, tell them calmly what happened. Offer to call a friend or family member to help them get home.
Protect their privacy. Ask others to give space, and don’t film.
If a neighbor tells you they have epilepsy, it’s OK to ask, “What should I do if you have a seizure around me?” Many people have a plan and are glad to share it.
Consider a class. The Epilepsy Foundation offers seizure first aid training with a two-year certification.
This weekSay the three words out loud right now, Stay, Safe, Side, and picture where you’d put a jacket under someone’s head.
Four questions to take with you
From the story of the Good Samaritan, the stranger who stopped to help. We call it the Good Neighbor Test.
- Did they see? Or look right past?
- Did they stop? Even when it was inconvenient?
- Did it cost them? Time, money, comfort, reputation?
- Did they treat the person like a person? Not like a label?
Try it on: if you were the one waking up on the ground, what would you want to hear first?
Quick questions
Should I put something in their mouth so they don’t bite their tongue?
No. Never put anything in their mouth. They could break their teeth or break and swallow the object. And a person can’t swallow their tongue during a seizure.
Should I hold them still?
No. Don’t hold them down or try to stop their movements. Clear the space around them instead.
Could someone having a seizure look drunk or high?
Yes. Some seizures cause staring, confusion or wandering, and people may look out of it afterward. Look for danger, not difference, and call 911 if you’re unsure.
- CDC: First Aid for Seizures
- Epilepsy Foundation: First Aid for Seizures, Stay, Safe, Side
- CDC: About Epilepsy
- Epilepsy Foundation: Seizure First Aid
Fact-checked October 13, 2026 against Epilepsy Foundation and CDC. Written in plain words by the Neighbor Radio team. Every fact is checked against what each community says about itself, in its own official sources, plus a neutral reference. Part of this community and something doesn't sound like you, or spot a mistake? Tell us. We read every note and fix mistakes.
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