Stay with the person and start timing the seizure. Stay calm and talk to them in a reassuring voice. Check for a medical ID bracelet.
Keep them safe. Move hard or sharp objects away, and guide them away from danger like stairs, water, or traffic. Put something soft under their head, take off their glasses, and loosen anything tight around the neck.
If they aren't awake and aware, gently turn them onto their side with their mouth pointing toward the ground. This keeps their airway clear.
The person may cry out, lose consciousness, fall, and stiffen, then jerk or shake. They may seem confused or very tired afterward.
A brief staring spell, usually just seconds, that can look like daydreaming. The person may not respond and may not remember it afterward. It's common in kids and easy to miss in class.
These start in one part of the brain. The person may stay aware or seem confused. They may have unusual feelings, stare, or make repeated movements they can't control.

The best way to stay safe with epilepsy is good seizure control: take medicine as prescribed, get enough sleep, and take extra care around water. Rarely, seizures can lead to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), so it’s worth asking your doctor about your own risk and how to lower it.
