A Public Health Presentation

Identifying a Seizure General Information First Aid for Seizures Being Prepared – What Can You Do? Activating the School Emergency Plan Post Test Overview

Generalized: Absence (petit mal) Tonic-Clonic (grand mal) Atonic Partial: Simple Partial Complex Partial Identifying Seizures

Brief and subtle, 3-30 seconds Lapse of consciousness Resembles a blank stare or daydreaming No violent leg or arm movements Absence (petite mal)

Convulsions last 1-3 minutes Sudden loss of consciousness Muscles rigid/stiff; with jerking movements Breathing may be laboured or seem to stop Pale or bluish complexion Tonic-Clonic (Grande Mal)

Generally lasts 2-4 minutes Change in behaviour Often preceded by an aura Often mistaken for emotional or mental disturbance Complex Partial

One to four seconds Sudden loss of muscle tone causing limpness and collapse to the ground May result in injury May involve head-nodding or sagging at knees Atonic

Two common triggers: fatigue stress The best position for a child having a seizure is on his/her side. Children are often able to hear throughout a seizure so talk gently and reassuringly to them. General Information:

First Aid For a Tonic-Clonic Seizure Protect the person from injury: ease child to the floor and turn student (or student’s head) to the side Remove hard objects nearby Remove any glasses

Remain calm and stay with the child Do not restrain movement Do not force anything into the mouth Minimize embarrassment and protect privacy First Aid continued

Place a blanket or pillow under student’s head Remove or loosen tight, restrictive clothing from around student’s neck Be prepared to document after Notify appropriate school personnel and student’s parents. First Aid continued

Be familiar with the different types of seizures Monitor for signs and symptoms Know the emergency plans in place Be familiar with class and school safety hazards How to Be Prepared

The child is not breathing following the seizure The seizure lasts longer than five minutes The Seizure Is An Emergency When:

Individual has no previous history A second seizure begins before the individual has recovered No sign of seizure ending after 5 minutes Activating the Emergency Plan

The individual is not breathing or has breathing difficulties after a seizure The individual does not awaken or respond after the seizure ends The individual is injured and needs medical attention

Post Test 1.A seizure is a sudden attack of altered cerebral function. True or False? 2. The brain operates on electrical impulses. True or False? 3. What are the two main triggers of a seizure?

4. When a seizure begins you should loosen any tight clothing. True or False? 5.What is the best position for a child during a seizure? 6.You should provide a safe area for the child and if possible put a sweater, pillow or something soft under his/her head. True or False?

7.During a seizure, the child could swallow his/her tongue. True or false? 8.During the seizure you should put something in the child’s mouth to keep him/her from biting his/her tongue. True or False? 9.When the seizure is over what action do you take to drain mucous or vomitus from his/her mouth?

10.In what instances would you need to activate the school emergency plan? 11.Following the seizure, what do you document?

The End