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Safety in Epilepsy - the SEIZURE PREPAREDNESS PLAN

Even though we want to be optimistic in life, when someone is living with epilepsy, it is always important to be prepared for the possibility of future seizures and the best way to be prepared is by having a Seizure Preparedness Plan.  This plan is for relatives, friends, and caregivers or anyone who might be with the person when a seizure occurs.  Patients are encouraged to come up with a personalized plan and to share with anyone they think might benefit from knowing. 

It is recommended that you put this plan together and carry it with you at all times.  You may want to laminate this page.  

Sample of a seizure preparedness plan:

In case of seizure:

* Please keep calm and stay with me until the seizure ends.

* These symptoms/behaviors will tell you that I'm having a seizure (list specific characteristics of your seizures, for example, falling, jerking limbs, non-responsiveness, etc.) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

* The things you should do to ensure my safety are (for example, gently move me away from dangerous furniture, if possible, loosen restrictive clothing, etc.): _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

* Please do not put anything in my mouth during the seizure! 

* Please observe me carefully so you can describe everything you saw during the seizure.  I'll report what you tell me to my doctor and it may help my treatment.

* Look at the time the seizure starts and time it.  Please call 911 if the seizure last more than 2-3 minutes, causes injury, or becomes a series of seizures.  Brief seizures that end spontaneously without injury do not require a call to 911 but may require a call to my doctor.  My doctor's number is: ______________

* If several seizures occur in a row, please give me my seizure rescue medication as follows (list instructions obtained from your doctor. If you have a VNS, include instructions to swipe it once over the implant).  

* After the seizure ends, please help me find a place to rest.  It is also important that I get regular meals and take my seizure medication on schedule.    

 

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