First Aid for Seizures in Chair - Epilepsy Queensland
  2. Understanding Epilepsy
  3. Seizure First Aid
  4. First Aid for Seizures in Chair

First aid for seizures occurring in a chair

If someone starts to have a seizure while confined in a wheelchair, seated on a bus, train or tram or strapped in a pram, stroller or car seat:

DO

  • Protect the person by preventing them from falling if there is no seat belt
  • Make sure the wheelchair or the stroller is secure
  • Protect the person by supporting their head- something soft under the head will help if there is no moulded headrest
  • Check whether you need to move any hard objects that might hurt arms and legs in particular
  • Reassure the person and tell them what has happened- consciousness usually returns within a few minutes
When the seizure has finished, check the person’s airway is clear. Remove the person from the chair at the end of the seizure only if it is safe to do so.

 

DO NOT

  • Try to stop the seizure
  • Put anything in the person’s mouth
  • Try to remove the person from their position during the seizure- in most cases, the seat provides some support

Call an ambulance 000 / 112 if:

  • The seizure activity lasts five or more minutes or a second seizure quickly follows
  • Consciousness doesn’t return within five minutes of the seizure ending
  • The person is injured
  • It is the person’s first seizure
  • You are in doubt
Epilepsy Queensland