Seizure Guidelines

Guidelines About Epilepsy/Seizures

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with a variety of symptoms. Seizures - episodes of abnormal mental or muscular activity - are the basic indicator of Epilepsy. Seizures occur when brain cells misfire causing an electrical storm in the brain. They may be infrequent or in a rapid succession.

An individual having a seizure may experience one or more of the following symptoms for a couple of seconds or a couple of minutes:

  • stare blankly
  • appear to be daydreaming
  • mention feeling tired
  • lose consciousness
  • display jerking limbs (trunk, neck, eyes, or face)
  • lose saliva
  • have noisy respiration; and/or
  • appear a dusty pale blue color (face, nails or lips)

If an individual is having a seizure:

  • Gently roll the person onto one side and put something soft under the head
  • Loosen tight neckwear
  • Don't put anything in the mouth
  • Don't try to restrain the person
  • Look for medical alert bracelet

If the individual is unconscious (unresponsive to voice command or in obvious pain) call 9-911 on campus and 911 off campus.

Provide the 911 dispatcher with:

  • The exact location (name of building, street, floor)
  • Condition/nature of emergency
  • Unresponsive individual's name
  • Caller's name
  • Extension or phone number call is coming from

Direct someone to meet the ambulance
Call GU Security (extension 3222) after you have called 911

This information is provided by the Accessibility Committee. Please direct any medical questions to the Student Health Center at extension 4052.