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First aid · Australia

Seizure

Protect the person from injury, clear hazards, cushion their head and time the seizure. Do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Call 000 for a first or unknown seizure, one lasting more than 5 minutes, a repeat seizure, injury, water, pregnancy, diabetes, breathing problems or failure to recover.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Protect from injury

    Ease a fall if possible, move hard or sharp objects away and place something soft and flat under the person’s head.

    Take care. Do not move them during the seizure unless the area is dangerous.

  2. Time it; stay with them

    Time the seizure and stay with the person. Let the movements happen; do not restrain them or force their mouth open.

    Take care. Do not restrain the person or try to stop the jerking.

    Take care. Do not put fingers, food, drink or any object in their mouth.

  3. After movements stop: check breathing

    Move the person only if the area is dangerous. If they become unresponsive and are breathing normally after the movements stop, place them in the recovery position and keep the airway clear.

  4. Know when to call 000

    Call 000 for a first or unknown seizure, a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, another seizure quickly following, injury, water, pregnancy, diabetes, breathing difficulty or failure to regain consciousness.

  5. Help them recover

    Reassure the person as they recover, keep checking breathing and do not offer food or drink until they are fully awake and alert.

    Take care. Do not leave them alone or assume the emergency is over when the movements stop.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • Call 000 for a first or unknown seizure, more than 5 minutes, another seizure quickly following, injury, water, pregnancy, diabetes, breathing difficulty, persistent unresponsiveness or any serious concern.

Children and babies

  • Use the same protect, time and no-mouth-object steps for a child or infant. Call 000 for a child's first seizure, a seizure longer than 5 minutes, failure to wake or a child who looks seriously ill; follow the call-taker. Febrile seizures need medical assessment and separate child health advice.

Keep checking

  • After the seizure, check the airway and breathing frequently, use the recovery position if they are unresponsive but breathing normally, reassure them and record what happened and how long it lasted.

What you may notice

  • The person may stiffen, jerk, lose awareness or stare blankly.
  • They may drool, lose bladder control, fall or be confused and sleepy afterwards.
  • A seizure may look different from one person to another, and the person may be awake during some seizure types.
  • Breathing can be shallow or affected during or after a convulsive seizure.

When help arrives

  • Clear hazards, cushion the head and turn the person on their side when the movements stop if they are unresponsive but breathing normally.
  • Stay with them, check breathing frequently, reassure them until they recover and tell responders how long the seizure lasted.
  • Do not offer food or drink until they are fully awake and alert.

Sources and last update

Content updated: August 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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