Seizures

How you can help:

  • Try to cushion the fall
  • Help the person to a lying position, preferably on his or her side to keep the airway open.
  • Remove objects from the area which might cause injury
  • Never force anything into the mouth
  • Do not restrain movement
  • Do not encourage premature activity
  • Do not try to make the person swallow liquids during the seizure or immediately afterward
  • When a seizure has ended, the person may feel disoriented and embarrassed. Try to ensure that they have privacy to collect themselves
  • If a seizure lasts longer than 10 minutes or if another seizure begins immediately following the first seizure, call for emergency medical assistance

 

In the event of an apparent medical emergency affecting one or more students:

  • If using a campus phone: call University Police at 4300
  • If using a cell phone: Call S&T Police at 573-341-4300 

State: "I have a student needing medical assistance" and other details as needed such as your location and other facts as requested; stay on the line until released by the dispatcher. Also indicate whether the student is conscious.

Note: An ambulance will be dispatched unless the student is alert and specifically refuses.

 

Statement on Faculty Responsibility in Student Health Emergencies in the Classroom

  1. There is NO expectation that faculty or graduate assistants have any specialized medical knowledge or skill or that they be equipped to deal with medical emergencies in the classroom or lab beyond the most rudimentary "common sense" provisions.
  2. Information provided by DSS to faculty such as the notice of having a student with seizure disorder in one's class is for informational purposes only and does not presume knowledge alluded to in "1", above.