When someone is having a tonic clonic or grand mal seizure, you can help by following these steps:
1. Keep Calm. Let the seizure take its course. Do not try to stop the seizure or revive the person. Begin timing the seizure.
2. Protect From Further Injury if Possible. Move hard or sharp objects away, but do not interfere with the person's movements. Place something soft and small such as a sweater under the head, loosen tight clothing, especially at the neck.
3. Do Not Force Anything in the Person's Mouth. This could cause teeth and jaw damage. The person will not swallow their tongue during a seizure.
4. Roll the Person on their Side as soon as possible, to allow saliva or other fluids to drain away, helping to clear the airway. DO NOT BE FRIGHTENED if a person having a seizure appears to stop breathing momentarily.
5. On Rare Occasions, if a seizure goes on longer than 5 Minutes, or Repeats without full recovery, call for medical help.
6. Afterward, talk gently to the person, be comforting and reassuring and stay with them until they become re-oriented.
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