Seizure Guidelines

Information about Epilepsy and 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
• 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 following information:

• 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 (x3222) after you have called 911

This information is provided by the Accessibility Committee. Please direct any medical questions to the Student Health Center at x4052.