Calling an Ambulance

Seeing someone have a tonic-clonic seizure can be very frightening and instinctively many people call an ambulance. If you know the person with epilepsy and know how long their seizures normally last, only call an ambulance if this seizure lasts longer than usual.

Five minutes is often given as a bench-mark for when an ambulance should be called, but common sense is needed. If a person’s seizures always last seven minutes, then calling an ambulance if the seizure lasts more than this would be more sensible.

Tonic-clonic status epilepticus is a medical emergency. This is where one seizure lasts for 30 minutes or more, or where one seizure has followed another without recovery in between. Untreated status epilepticus can lead to brain damage and ultimately, death.

In deciding when to call an ambulance, bear in mind how long it would normally take to reach you. In a very rural area it may be many minutes, whereas in an urban area it may be much less.

An ambulance will also be needed if the person is experiencing breathing difficulties or has become injured during a seizure.

Last updated 2 May 2007