A scene repeated at every gathering: someone seizes, and the crowd rushes to their mouth with a spoon, a finger or a shoe "so they don't swallow their tongue". The truth: swallowing the tongue is anatomically impossible — the tongue can only relax backwards, and the fix for that is the side position, not a spoon.

In short — what to do

  1. Stay calm and look at the clock: time the seizure.
  2. Clear hard and sharp objects away, and put something soft under the head.
  3. Loosen whatever is around the neck (collar, tight scarf).
  4. Put nothing in the mouth, and don't restrain them — let the seizure run its course.
  5. The moment it stops: roll them onto their side (recovery position) and stay until fully awake.

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Clear the area and protect the head — the spoon is absolutely forbidden
Clear the area and protect the head — the spoon is absolutely forbidden
The full details

What TO do

  1. Stay calm and look at the clock: time the seizure.
  2. Clear hard and sharp objects away, and put something soft under the head.
  3. Loosen whatever is around the neck (collar, tight scarf).
  4. Put nothing in the mouth, and don't restrain them — let the seizure run its course.
  5. The moment it stops: roll them onto their side (recovery position) and stay until fully awake.

When to call 998

  • A seizure beyond 5 minutes, or back-to-back seizures without regaining consciousness.
  • Their first seizure ever, an injury during it, or a seizure in water.
  • Pregnancy, diabetes, or not waking normally afterwards.

The three great myths

  • The spoon/finger in the mouth — broken teeth, choking, and a bitten finger.
  • Forcefully restraining the person — fractures and dislocated joints.
  • Onions, perfume or splashing water "to wake them" — they don't end the seizure and they waste time.

After the seizure

A person wakes confused, exhausted, remembering nothing — reassure them in short calm sentences, and spare them embarrassment in front of others. Your calm is half their treatment.

This content is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 998.

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