In an instant, a seizure can be deadly. About 1 in 1,000 people die a year due to uncontrollable seizures. A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that can cause changes in your behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness. Seizures have levels of intensity that are expressed in different manners with some being completely undetectable. Seizures are a serious and life-threatening issue, but if the correct steps are administered upon occurrence, lives can be saved. 

“A few years ago, I had a student put her head down in my class. As I tapped to wake her up, she was unresponsive. I later found out she had a silent seizure once we called 911” said biology teacher Robin McCarter.

There are many types of seizures that can occur, such as tonic-clonic seizures and absence seizures. About 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point during their lifetime and is most commonly diagnosed before the age of 20 or after  65 years. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occur when one experiences unconsciousness, convulsions, and/or muscle rigidity. An absence seizure is a brief loss of consciousness, while a myoclonic seizure includes jerking movements, with the most common type being epilepsy. This condition is diagnosed when someone has two or more seizures or a tendency to have recurrent seizures. Major athletes such as NFL Football Player Jason Snelling, and Major League Baseball Player Greg Walker have even spoken about their experiences with epilepsy. Seizures are such a common occurrence that they can happen to anyone, even to students at Seminole.

“I was finishing up the PSAT and I started to feel lightheaded and then I just passed out. I woke up with paramedics around me and I was all freaked out and it was strange,”  said junior Ethan Gorospe. “My recovery was quick and easy since no damage was done. Overall, we don’t know what caused the seizure but I had a lot of electrical signals occurring at the time which usually causes seizures.”

While seizures can be scary for many, it is important to remember the following when encountering someone having a seizure: Clear the surroundings of everything such as sharp edges, other people and hard objects for safety. Do NOT restrict or hold down the person having a seizure but rather turn them on their side to assist in breathing. If possible, time the length of the seizure and its recurrence to inform medical officials when they arrive. .

“If someone is having a seizure, make sure they are on the ground to prevent any injury,” said Gorospe.

If you are ever unsure or are witnessing a seizure, call 111, a hotline for medical assistance and health information.