I’m unconscious and unable to hear your call. My body is slowly starting to stiffen, and I begin to fall. The muscles are tightly contracted and wildly twitching and jerking out of control.
Should you restrain me to stop my movements to prevent me from getting hurt, or do you just let the seizure take its course?
Saliva and foam spill from my mouth. The color quickly turns red from the blood pouring out the gashes of my badly bitten tongue. Tonic spasms forcefully expel air from the lungs causing me to release terrible deafening moans.
Should you place something in my mouth to prevent me from swallowing my tongue, or is there something more important you need to do?
The rapid movements cease. I’m still unconscious, but will, hopefully, come back. After a few moments, awareness sets it, but everything is still blurry and confusing. I’m exhausted and in so much pain.
Should you seek help, or is it okay to leave me alone because now it’s all over?
1 in 26 people are diagnosed with epilepsy, and 1 in 10 people will have at least one seizure in their lifetime. Knowing seizure first-aid can make a difference and safe a person’s life.
Getting Seizure Recognition and First Aid certification is easy, and you can do so by visiting the Epilepsy Foundation’s website.
When that 1 in 10 needs you, will you know what to do?
Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash
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