Responding to a seizure
Put nothing in their mouth. Swallowing the tongue does not happen.
When you witness a seizure
- Stay calm and check the time. How long it lasts matters.
- Clear away dangerous objects — anything hard or sharp.
- Cushion the head with something soft (clothing, a bag).
- Remove glasses and loosen clothing at the neck.
- Don't hold or shake them.
- Put nothing in the mouth — not even fingers.
- When it ends, turn them on their side to keep the airway clear.
When to call 119
- The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
- Seizures follow one after another
- It is the person's first seizure
- They are injured, in water, or pregnant
- Consciousness doesn't return afterwards
- Breathing is abnormal
After it ends
- They may be confused. Reassure them calmly.
- Explain what happened.
- Don't leave them alone until fully recovered.
- Noting the duration and appearance helps the doctors.
Where to go
- 119 (if any criterion above applies)
- 1339 Korea Disease Control Agency
- A neurology clinic (diagnosis and management)
- 1345 interpretation
Questions people ask
Shouldn't I put a towel in their mouth? Never. Teeth can break and the airway can block. Swallowing the tongue does not happen.
Should I hold them down to calm the seizure? No. It only risks fractures. Making the surroundings safe is the best you can do.
A colleague has epilepsy. Ask them in advance how they want you to respond, whether they take medication, and their emergency contact.
Can they work straight after a seizure? Recovery takes time. After a first seizure, a medical assessment is essential to find the cause.
Take care
Holding someone down or putting something in their mouth is danger, not help. Time it, clear the area, protect the head, and turn them on their side afterwards — those four things are enough.
Related
first-aid-basics · cpr · emergency-symptoms · stroke-signs · chronic-disease
Source
Korean Red Cross www.redcross.or.kr / As of 2026-08