DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

What are YOU gonna do about…CONVULSIONS & SEIZURES?Convulsions are usually brought on by a high fever, poisoning or injuryand is basically a violent seizure (see “Things to watch for...”).Seizures are usually related to epilepsy (also known as seizure disordersince seizures occur repeatedly during person’s life), and about 2 millionAmericans and 300,000 Canadians suffer from epilepsy. There are manytypes and forms of seizures that range from a short episode of blank staringto convulsions -- and most seizures only last from 1-3 minutes or less.Things to watch for…Victim falls to floor and shakes or twitches in thearms, legs or body for a minute or longerBlank staring or vacant expression and minor twitchingof the face or jerking of the hand (usually a mildepileptic seizure)Loss of body fluids or functions (drooling, may pee orpoop)No memory of what happened, confusionWhat to do…• Have someone call for an ambulance, esp. if victim waspoisoned or injured or if seizure lasts over 3-5 minutes.• Stay calm… you can’t stop the convulsion or seizure.• DO NOT put anything between teeth or in mouth!• Move things that could hurt or fall on victim.• Put something soft under victim’s head, if possible.• When convulsion or seizure is over, help roll victim on totheir side to keep an open airway.• Look for any other injuries and keep checking ABCs...Airway, Breathing & Circulation.• Stay with victim until help arrives and try to calm them.If victim is epileptic:Ask if the victim takes any medications for seizures and help him/her takethem according to the instructions.Also may want to review TERRORISM (in Section 2) for information, signs& symptoms, and treatment for several chemical agents that may causeconvulsions.www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325181