Seizure First Aid: What Every EEG Technologist Should Know

As neurodiagnostic technologists, encountering a patient having a seizure in the lab can vary greatly depending on the setting.

Technologists working in an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) may witness seizures on a daily basis. In contrast, those in outpatient EEG labs may encounter this situation far less frequently. Regardless of frequency, knowing proper seizure first aid is essential to ensuring patient safety and maintaining confidence in critical moments.

The goal of this guide is not only to reinforce what to do during a seizure, but also to provide helpful resources for mentoring and training new staff.

Stay Calm and Focus on Safety

The most important first step during any seizure event is to remain calm. Your response sets the tone for everyone around you—staff, family members, and even the patient once they regain awareness.

Your primary responsibility is to protect the patient from injury while allowing the seizure to run its course safely.

Seizure First Aid: Step-by-Step

When a patient is actively seizing, follow these key steps:

• Ease the patient to the ground if they appear to be falling

• Turn them gently onto their side to help maintain a clear airway

• Clear the surrounding area to prevent injury from nearby objects

• Remove eyeglasses if present

• Place something soft and flat under the head for protection

• Loosen tight clothing around the neck to support breathing

If the EEG recording is already in progress:

• Continue recording the study if it is safe to do so

• Mark the event and observe clinical and electrographic changes

Always:

• Time the seizure from onset to resolution

• Follow your lab’s protocol for escalation

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Most seizures resolve on their own and require only supportive care. However, emergency medical attention is necessary if:

• The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes

• Multiple seizures occur without full recovery in between

• The patient has difficulty breathing after the event

• The seizure occurs in water or results in injury

These situations may indicate status epilepticus, a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.

After the Seizure: Patient Care Matters

Once the seizure has ended, your role continues.

• Stay with the patient until they are fully alert

• Provide reassurance and orientation—many patients are confused afterward

• Explain what happened in simple terms

• Document the event thoroughly

• Notify the referring physician or care team

This post-ictal phase is often when patients feel most vulnerable. Calm, clear communication is just as important as technical care.

A Note for EEG Technologists

If the EEG is running during the event, capturing that data is extremely valuable. Seizures recorded on EEG can directly impact diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term patient care.

Balancing patient safety with data collection is a critical skill—and one that develops with experience.

Training and Resources for Staff

For mentors and supervisors responsible for training new technologists, structured education is key.

The Epilepsy Foundation offers a free, approximately 30-minute online seizure first aid course that includes a certificate of completion. This can be a valuable tool for documenting staff competency. Just click here to access.

They also provide a Seizure First Aid poster, which can be displayed in neurology labs and patient care areas as a quick reference guide. Just click here to access.

For broader public health guidance, resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reinforce best practices in seizure response and safety.

Raising Awareness Through Preparedness

For most seizures, basic first aid is all that is needed. But being prepared—both technically and mentally—makes all the difference.

As EEG technologists, we are in a unique position to:

• Protect patients during vulnerable moments

• Capture critical diagnostic data

• Educate others on seizure safety

Having the right tools, training, and confidence helps ensure that when a seizure occurs, we are ready to respond effectively.

Roya Tompkins, MS, REEG/EP T., RPSGT, CLTM

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Epilepsy Foundation