Epilepsy Australia

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• Seizure First Aid
• Complex Partial Seizures

Complex Partial Seizures

With this type of seizure the person may appear unresponsive and confused as their consciousness is impaired. Automatic movements such as smacking of the lips, wandering, or fumbling movements of the hand may be present. He or she may display inappropriate behaviour that may be mistaken for alcohol/drug intoxication or psychiatric disturbance.

First Aid for complex partial seizures

• During a complex partial seizure you may need to gently guide the person past obstacles and away from dangerous places.
• As the seizure finishes, calmly talk with the person as they regain awareness and ask if they are OK.
• Reassure the person that they are safe and that you will stay with them while they recover.

In the event of a seizure follow instructions in the individual's seizure care plan.
However if you do not know the person, or there is no care plan:

Call an ambulance - 000 - if:

• the seizure activity lasts 5 or more minutes or a second seizure quickly follows.
• the person remains non-responsive for more than 5 minutes after the seizure stops.
• the person is having a greater number of seizures than is usual for them.
• the person is injured, goes blue in the face or has swallowed water.
• the person is pregnant.
• you know, or believe it to be, the person's first seizure.

• you feel uncomfortable dealing with the seizure at the time.

Epilepsy Australia National Help Line 1300 852 8653