This isn't a freak show.

[Der Cute]

That is the best course of action if there is nobody willing/able to provide assistance Never try more than you're trained for and you won't run into any sort of legal problems in a situation like this, as far as I'm aware.

I remember in one of my university psych classes a classmate had a grand mal seizure, and the people around her had no idea what was going on. The prof stood at the front of class and asked what had happened...and I ended up going to the girl's aid, explaining to everybody around that she was having a seizure. Once I got a bit of help to get her into the aisle, I got her as comfortable as I could on her side and stayed with her until the seizure ended and into her mom's care afterwards. Thankfully, the prof ended class and sent everybody else out because the girl didn't need an audience.

My dad is an epileptic and usually has grand mal when he does have them. So, growing up with this sort of thing meant that I knew how to handle it, thankfully. If you know the person you're dealing with is epileptic (most wear medical alert bracelets/necklaces) then you pretty much only need to call medical personnel if the seizure lasts more than about five minutes (according to my first aid training). If the person doesn't have some sort of medical alert jewelry then you get somebody to call medical personnel right away as you move the victim into a safe position.

Thank you! Thank you so much, we need the help.

Remember:
Talk to them quietly, slowly
No sudden movements
Away from furniture/sharp objects
Time it if you can
Nothing in mouth
Don't hold down or squish
If moving/walking, guide slowly
Make sure airway is cleared

sometimes post-ictal (after seizure time) is long. Depends on the sz and the person. Sometimes we need a buddy to get us to a safe spot to sit (after we're back on Earth) and just chill.

[fireheart]

Good for you, fireheart.

As far as I'm concerned, once the Official Trained People are on the scene, then unless it's clearly a major 'all-hands' disaster, it's time for bystanders to leave.

Fortunately most people took the hint as well-there was barely anyone hanging around when I wandered past.

[depechemodefan]

I rememeber one time in the library some guy fell down/had a seizure/had a stroke -I don't remember what happened- but the ems was called. Of course, a bunch of loser customers had to hang around and watch "the show". They weren't exactly in the way of ems, but they were rather close and were just watching. I would have told them to clear out, but they probably complain to my manager (like the always complain when things don't go their way) and I might be chewed out by the manager.

[Andara Bledin]

I've only been in the presence of someone having a seizure twice.

The second time was going before I encountered the scene and appeared to be handled, so I moved on.

The first time, however, was when I was one of the people in charge of the video gaming room at the convention I staff at, and this guy was watching a couple of others place a flashy (strobing) video game in the back of the room when he dropped and went into a full GM. Whoever had been patrolling the back of the place managed to usher people forward, tell another staffer to get the room cleared while he was moving chairs and tables out of the way. Someone at some point called the paramedics, who were on scene quickly (near LAX - great response time), and the rest of us stood outside the room and told people it was a medical emergency and we were closed until we were open again.

He'd never had a seizure before then and thankfully didn't hurt himself at all, but he was going to get himself a proper checking out by his regular doctor at the first opportunity. He said afterwards that he had no idea that anything was wrong; one minute he was watching the game and the next he was on his back looking up at the paramedics. We were just glad that it happened in a controlled environment with enough people on staff to deal with it.

^-.-^