Seizure emergencies are unpredictable and can happen to anyone who experiences seizures. While most seizures resolve on their own in a few minutes and do not require any medical assistance, there are some situations where seizures develop into emergencies. In some cases, seizure emergencies can result in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, commonly referred to as SUDEP. All seizures should be taken seriously. 

These situations include: 

Prolonged seizures: Seizures that last longer than five minutes are deemed seizure emergencies. Most seizures resolve in one to three minutes. Once a seizure has surpassed five minutes, it’s time to call 911 or administer seizure rescue medication as prescribed. 

Seizures in water: Seizures that result in a loss of consciousness or awareness while underwater are classified as seizure emergencies. Drowning is a risk for everyone. Individuals who experience seizures have an increased risk, so engaging in water-based activities such as taking a bath, swimming, boating, or going in a hot tub alone are typically not recommended. 

Seizures resulting in injury: If an injury is seen or suspected due to a seizure which has caused a fall, burn, accident, deep cut, or other injury that would require emergency medical assistance, 911 should be called. 

Situations that are cause for concern but not always an emergency include: 

First time seizure: Seizures can be caused by many things including blood sugar issues, severe dehydration, trauma to the head, and drug overdose. If you do not know a person’s medical history and are unaware of a history of seizures, call 911 as the person may need to be treated for an underlying condition. 

Change in seizure type: Many individuals with epilepsy syndromes may experience multiple different seizure types. Many of these changes can happen randomly and can be frightening. Seizure first aid protocol should always be followed for all seizures and medical care teams should be made aware of any changes to the person’s medical condition. 

Seizure with pre-existing condition: Having seizures, typically convulsive seizures, while also experiencing another pre-existing condition such as pregnancy, asthma, or diabetes, in which the condition may have worsened or caused further injury to the individual, medical assistance and advice should be sought out. 

Seizure emergencies, while rare, can be life threatening. It is extremely important to be aware of what is considered a seizure emergency, and how to properly react in the event of a seizure. It is important to be prepared for seizure emergencies and to have a plan in place with family members, caretakers, and coworkers. Having and distributing up to date seizure action plans to all individuals who may be responding in the event of a seizure can be helpful. By having a seizure action plan individuals can increase positive seizure outcomes, increase confidence in their support teams, and can ensure proper communication to medical care providers to allow for a continuity of care. Wearing devices such as a medical alert bracelet or a seizure alert watch can also provide necessary information to caregivers and first responders in an emergency. 

Please speak with your doctor about the risk factors and concerns relating to seizure emergencies. The information, including text, graphics, images and other material on this website and provided by the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York, is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 

If you are interested in learning more about seizure first aid or seizure emergencies, please reach out to our team by calling (518) 456-7501 or visiting our website for additional resources.