How do I manage a person having a seizure including status epilepticus?
• For people having a tonic–clonic seizure of less than 5 minutes’ duration: • Look for an epilepsy identity card or jewelry. • Protect them from injury by: • Cushioning their head with your hands or soft material. • Removing harmful objects from nearby, or if this is not possible, moving the person away from immediate danger. • Do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth. • When the seizure stops, check their airway and place them in the recovery position. • Observe them until they have recovered. • Examine for, and manage, any injuries. • Arrange emergency admission if it is their first seizure. • For people having a tonic–clonic seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or who have more than three seizures in an hour, in addition to the measures described above: • Treat with either: • Buccal midazolam, or • Rectal diazepam. • Call an ambulance for urgent hospital admission if seizures do not respond promptly to treatment with diazepam or midazolam. The aim is to ensure that peopl
