Seizure First Aid: Protect, Time, Recover

In groups of four, students rehearse responding to a seizure in class: clearing objects away, protecting the head, timing it and then placing the person in the recovery position. They work on staying calm, protecting privacy and breaking myths like holding the person down.

How to play

1. Intro (4 min): the teacher explains what a seizure is and the three steps, protect, time and recover, plus what not to do: don't hold them down or put anything in their mouth.
2. Groups of 4 with a mat: casualty, rescuer, timekeeper and scene manager.
3. Start (1 min): the casualty, lying down, acts out a seizure with gentle movements; the scene manager moves balls, chairs and backpacks away and asks others to step back.
4. During (2 min): the rescuer slides a folded towel under the head and loosens the collar while the timekeeper calls out the start time.
5. After (2 min): when the casualty goes still, roll them into the recovery position and talk calmly until they respond; if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, call 911.
6. Rotate: each group repeats with new roles and a different scenario card for 4 rounds (about 12 minutes).
7. Wrap-up (3 min): discuss how to protect a classmate's privacy and what to tell the rest of the class.

Rules

• Never hold the person down or put anything in their mouth.
• The casualty acts it out with gentle, controlled movements.
• Move the rest of the class away to protect privacy.
• If it lasts more than five minutes or happens again, call 911.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student takes the timekeeper or scene manager role.
• Autism: preview the lesson's content and let the student watch the first round before joining.
• Students with epilepsy: ask for their permission and input beforehand and never make them play the casualty.

Learning goals

• Respond safely to a seizure.
• Time the seizure and decide when to call 911.
• Protect the dignity and privacy of the person having the seizure.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 7
• stopwatch: 7
• towels: 7
• scenario cards: 8

Teacher tip

If a student in the class has epilepsy, talk with the family and the student first. The "swallowing the tongue" myth is everywhere: debunk it clearly.

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