Seizure First Aid for National Epilepsy Awareness Month: Stay, Safe, Side

Most people will never need to know this. The ones who do will need it fast.

By Mike Whobrey

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. The Epilepsy Foundation's 2026 theme is "Where Community Sparks Hope," a reminder that no one affected by epilepsy should have to go it alone (Epilepsy Foundation). If you want to join in on social media, the hashtags are #NEAM2026 and #WhereCommunitySparksHope.

Community can be very practical. It can mean the coworker, coach or stranger who knows what to do when someone has a seizure. The Epilepsy Foundation estimates that 1 in 10 people will have a seizure during their lifetime (Epilepsy Foundation). So the odds are good that you will see one someday.

This post is not medical advice. It is a summary of the first aid steps the Epilepsy Foundation and the CDC publish, with links so you can read them in full.

Stay. Safe. Side.

The Epilepsy Foundation teaches three words for seizure first aid: Stay, Safe, Side (Epilepsy Foundation).

Stay with the person and start timing the seizure. Stay calm and talk to them calmly. Look at a watch or phone and note when it started. The Foundation also says to check for a medical ID (Epilepsy Foundation). The CDC says the same: check for a medical bracelet with information about conditions, medicines and emergency contacts (CDC).

Keep the person safe. Move them away from sharp or harmful objects. If they are confused or wandering, gently guide them away from danger like traffic or stairs. Ask people to step back and give them room (Epilepsy Foundation).

Turn the person onto their side if they are not awake and aware. If they are on the floor, put something small and soft under their head and turn them on their side with their mouth pointing toward the ground. Loosen anything tight around the neck (Epilepsy Foundation; CDC).

What not to do

Both organizations list similar don'ts (Epilepsy Foundation; CDC):

  • Do not put anything in their mouth. A person cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure.
  • Do not hold them down or try to stop their movements.
  • Do not give water, food or pills until they are fully awake and alert.

When to call 911

The CDC says to call 911 if (CDC):

  • The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
  • They have another seizure soon after the first one.
  • They have trouble breathing or waking up after the seizure.
  • They are injured during the seizure.
  • The seizure happens in water.
  • It is their first seizure, they are pregnant, or they have diabetes and lose consciousness.

The Epilepsy Foundation's list also includes when the person does not return to their usual state, or asks for medical help (Epilepsy Foundation). If you are not sure, call 911.

After the seizure

Stay with them until they are awake and alert. Reassure them that they are safe, and once they can talk, tell them simply what happened. Offer to call a friend or family member to help them get home (Epilepsy Foundation; CDC).

Get trained on November 3

The Epilepsy Foundation is hosting a free live Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certification training for National Epilepsy Awareness Month on November 3, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET. The course runs about 90 minutes and gives a two-year certification. If you cannot make it, there is an on-demand version and a shorter 30-minute Seizure First Aid Ready course (Epilepsy Foundation).

Where an emergency profile fits

Notice that both first aid guides tell bystanders to look for medical ID. During and right after a seizure, the person may be confused or unable to speak, so they cannot tell anyone what they have, what they take or who to call.

A medical ID bracelet is the first thing many responders look for. Wear one if your doctor recommends it. A MyAllyFile profile can sit alongside it.

With MyAllyFile, you fill in your medical information and emergency contacts and get a QR code and link (MyAllyFile). You can add your medical conditions (like epilepsy), allergies, medications with dosage and frequency, and notes for responders to your profile (MyAllyFile). Any phone camera opens the code, with no app and no account for the person scanning. The profile is gated by a PIN you set. When someone opens your profile with the emergency button or emergency PIN, you get a push notification on any device where you've turned notifications on, and your emergency contacts get an email alert. Free covers email alerts to up to 3 contacts; Plus and Pro add SMS alerts (MyAllyFile Pricing). You can update it any time your medications change, and if you lose the QR code you can regenerate the link so the old one stops working (MyAllyFile Support).

Put the QR code where it is likely to be seen: a phone lock screen, a keychain, a bag tag or a card in your wallet.

See it first

Our sample emergency profile uses a fictional person with epilepsy and Type 1 diabetes, so you can see what a responder sees before you build your own (MyAllyFile). When you are ready, create a free profile.

And this month, share the three words with someone: Stay, Safe, Side.

MyAllyFile is a convenience for the people around you. It is not a substitute for calling 911 or getting emergency medical care, and it does not replace a medical ID bracelet. It is also not professional medical advice. Seizure first aid steps above come from the Epilepsy Foundation and CDC; follow your own care team's seizure action plan.