Epilepsy Ireland appeals to Dubliners to be clear on seizure first aid

As International Epilepsy Day 2025 approaches on February 10^th, Epilepsy Ireland is calling on the people of Dublin to be clear on Seizure First Aid through their key words of TIME, SAFE, STAY.

“With an estimated 11,460 people living with epilepsy in Dublin, knowing how to correctly respond to a seizure is important. Every moment counts when someone is experiencing a seizure and the words TIME, SAFE, STAY serve as a clear and memorable guide. Our new campaign for International Epilepsy Day highlights how seizure first aid becomes clear when you know these three words and the background to them”, said Epilepsy Ireland Advocacy & Communications Manager, Paddy McGeoghegan.

But what is meant by TIME, SAFE, STAY?

TIME – The first thing you should do is TIME the seizure. This is because if a seizure goes over 5 minutes, an ambulance should be called.

SAFE – Keep the person SAFE during the seizure. If a person is having a convulsive seizure, cushion their head with something soft if possible and remove any harmful objects, e.g. furniture from their vicinity. NEVER put anything in a person’s mouth or restrain them during a seizure.

Be aware that there are also types of seizures where the person does not experience convulsions. Instead, they may “zone out” or stare blankly, become confused or agitated, display behaviours like chewing, smacking their lips, fiddling with their clothes, or wandering aimlessly. In this type of seizure, the person’s awareness of their surroundings is affected, and it is important to gently guide the person away from any danger. As with convulsive seizures, NEVER restrict the person’s movements.

STAY – During the seizure and after it passes, STAY with the person. Often after a seizure, a person with epilepsy will be confused and, in many cases, exhausted. Make sure to stay with them until recovery is complete, explain what has happened and gently reassure them. The person may have experienced an injury if they have fallen, so, ensure normal first aid steps are taken.

Aside from when the seizure goes over 5 minutes, there are other instances where an ambulance should be called:

• Call an ambulance if a person having a seizure briefly comes out of it and goes into another one.
• Call an ambulance if you know it’s a person’s first seizure or if you’re not sure whether the person has epilepsy or not (often a person with epilepsy will have a bracelet or card in their wallet/purse indicating they have epilepsy.)
• Call an ambulance if the person is physically injured e.g. if they have taken a heavy fall during their seizure.
• Call an ambulance if the person is pregnant.
• Call an ambulance if you’re in any doubt – this is the most important point of all. No–one is going to be annoyed at you for calling an ambulance out of real concern; not the person who’s having the seizure and not the ambulance crew.

For more details on TIME, SAFE, STAY, International Epilepsy Day, epilepsy and Epilepsy Ireland, visit www.epilepsy.ie.