Someone collapses. Their body stiffens. Panic spreads. And almost inevitably, a bystander shouts, “Put something in the mouth.”
The impulse is well-intentioned. It is also wrong and dangerous.
Despite decades of medical guidance, the idea that a person having a seizure needs a spoon, cloth, or fingers placed in their mouth still circulates widely. Modern seizure first aid is far simpler and far safer than most people realize. In 2026, the goal is not to intervene aggressively but to protect, observe, and respond calmly.
In 2026, International Epilepsy Day is observed on February 9 and carries the global campaign theme #EpilepsyPledge, with a focus on “Turning Stories into Action.” The initiative urges individuals, communities, and institutions to move beyond awareness and commit to concrete actions that improve epilepsy safety, reduce stigma, and promote inclusion worldwide.¹²
International Epilepsy Day serves as a reminder that awareness can be lifesaving. Correct seizure first aid does not require medical training or dramatic intervention. It requires calm, informed action and the willingness to let go of harmful myths that have persisted for generations.
The belief that a person can swallow their tongue during a seizure dates back more than a century. Before neurology was well understood, caregivers feared airway blockage and tried to prevent it by inserting objects into the mouth.
Over time, this practice spread through families, popular media, and first-aid folklore. Films and television reinforced the image of someone forcing an object between clenched teeth as a life-saving act. What rarely made it to the screen was the harm that followed.
Today, medical evidence is clear. The tongue cannot be swallowed. The real risks come from trying to force the mouth open during a seizure.
During many seizures, especially tonic-clonic seizures, the jaw muscles contract powerfully and involuntarily. Trying to place an object in the mouth at this moment can cause serious injury.
Medical risks include:
Broken or dislodged teeth
Jaw fractures
Choking or aspiration if an object breaks
Severe finger or hand injuries to the helper
Soft tissue damage to the mouth and tongue
Public health authorities and epilepsy organisations consistently advise against placing anything in the mouth during a seizure. The risk of harm is real. The benefit is nonexistent.³
Modern seizure first aid focuses on protection, not control. Most seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. Your role is to keep the person safe until that happens.
Stay calm and stay with the person.
Panic spreads quickly and increases the risk of injury. Calm presence matters.
Protect the head.
Place something soft like a folded jacket under the head to prevent injury.
Clear nearby hazards.
Move sharp objects, furniture, or hot items away from the person.
Turn the person on their side once movements stop.
This recovery position helps keep the airway clear and allows saliva to drain.
Time the seizure.
Knowing how long a seizure lasts is crucial for deciding whether emergency help is needed.
Do not put anything in the mouth
Do not restrain or hold the person down
Do not give food, water, or medication during the seizure
Do not shout or crowd the person
Less action is often the safest action.
Most seizures are not medical emergencies. However, urgent medical care is essential in specific situations.
Seek emergency help if:
The seizure lasts longer than five minutes
Another seizure starts without full recovery in between
The person is injured, pregnant, or has diabetes
The seizure occurs in water
It is the person’s first known seizure
Recognizing these situations prevents both dangerous delays and unnecessary panic.⁴
Medical guidelines have evolved, but public understanding often lags behind. Many schools, offices, and public spaces still do not include seizure response in basic first-aid training.
Outdated portrayals in films and social media continue to spread myths faster than facts. This gap between evidence and awareness means that well-meaning bystanders may unintentionally cause harm.
Modern seizure first aid is a public health issue, not just a medical one.
Clinicians emphasise a few simple truths that can transform how seizures are handled in public.
Most seizures stop on their own
You cannot stop a seizure by force
Protecting the person from injury matters more than intervention
Calm, informed bystanders reduce complications
MedBound Times connected with Dr. Vivek Barun, MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology), Postdoctoral Fellowships in Epilepsy, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, a Senior Neurologist and Epileptologist at Artemis Hospitals, Gurgaon, Haryana to clarify common misconceptions around seizure first aid and explain what bystanders should and should not do during a seizure.
Dr. Vivek Barun: If someone witnesses a seizure in a public place, what are the three most important things they should do first?
Three most important things a person can do during seizure are
Stay with the person until the person is fully conscious after the seizure.
Keep the person safe during the seizure guiding away from the harm.
Keep airway clear, loosen tight clothes around the neck and put something soft under the head.
Dr. Vivek Barun: Why is staying calm and not restraining the person so important during a seizure?
Restraining during seizure can cause serious injury to both the person having seizure and the assisting person such as joint dislocation or fracture. Restraining would never stop the seizure and rather it can worsen confusion and aggressive response in the person having seizure.
Dr. Vivek Barun: If there is one message the public should remember about helping during a seizure, what would it be?
If there is one liner I would like the public to remember is: don’t restrain the movements, don’t put anything into the mouth unless patient is fully conscious, keep the person safe and don’t do CPR to the patients having seizure.
Seizure first aid education does not need to be complex.
Effective steps include:
Including seizure response in CPR and basic life support courses
Displaying simple first-aid posters in schools and workplaces
Training teachers, security staff, and supervisors in basic response steps
A one-minute explanation can prevent years of misinformation.
The image of a spoon being forced into someone’s mouth during a seizure belongs in the past. Modern seizure first aid is about awareness, calm, and respect for the body’s natural recovery process.
Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Sharing accurate information can prevent injuries and save lives. Sometimes, the safest help is simply being present and prepared.
Can a person swallow their tongue during a seizure?
No. It is physically impossible to swallow the tongue. This myth has led to many unnecessary injuries.
Should you hold someone down during a seizure?
No. Restraining movements can cause muscle, bone, or joint injuries and does not stop the seizure.
How long is too long for a seizure?
A seizure lasting more than five minutes is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate help.
Should water or medication be given during a seizure?
No. Food, water, or medication should only be given once the person is fully conscious and able to swallow safely.
International Bureau for Epilepsy and International League Against Epilepsy, “International Epilepsy Day,” accessed February 8, 2026, https://internationalepilepsyday.org.
International Epilepsy Day, “International Epilepsy Day 2026 Campaign: #EpilepsyPledge – Turning Stories into Action,” accessed February 8, 2026, https://internationalepilepsyday.org/about/iepilepspledge.
Epilepsy Foundation, “Seizure First Aid,” accessed February 8, 2026, https://www.epilepsy.com/recognition/seizure-first-aid-and-safety.
Robert S. Fisher et al., “Operational Classification of Seizure Types by the International League Against Epilepsy,” Epilepsia 58, no. 4 (2017): 522–530, https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13670.
