In or near water

If a person with epilepsy is found unconscious in or near water and is not breathing, treat them as you would any other person who has drowned:

• Danger: check danger to self and others
• Response: check response by shouting “are you okay?”
• Send: Send for help, call Triple Zero (000)
• Airway: Clear and maintain airway
• Breathing: Look, listen and feel for breathing
• CPR: start cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Defibrillator: if possible, use a defibrillator by following the prompts

In water

If a seizure occurs in water:

• Support the person’s head so their face is out of the water
• Tilt their head back to ensure a clear airway
• If in a pool, keep the person away from the sides of the pool to avoid injury from hitting against the pool edges during the seizure
• If in a pool, remove the person from the water as quickly as possible when the jerking stops. Note: In rare cases, where the jerking does not stop, seek assistance from others if possible, and remove the person from the water at the shallowest end of the pool
• If in open water, such as in inland waterways or at the beach, remove the person from the water immediately
• Flotation devices may be useful when removing someone from the water
• Seek assistance if possible

Out of the water

Once the person is out of the water:

• Call an ambulance immediately even if the person is breathing as they may have inhaled water
• Place the person on their side
• Check to see if they are breathing
• If there is no sign of life, begin resuscitation

When the ambulance arrives, give them details such as:

• Time seizure commenced
• Length of seizure
• Nature of seizure, including intensity and particular actions, reactions or behaviours
• Number of seizures
• Level of awareness, consciousness  the person had during the seizure, e.g. fully alert, confused, drowsy, unconscious
• Level of breathing difficulties
• Possible water inhalation or ingestion
• Any secondary injuries

Anyone who has had a seizure in water may have ingested large amounts of fluid. Even if breathing starts again and the person seems to have recovered, they may have inhaled water into the lungs. It is therefore important that they get emergency medical assistance and undergo a medical check-up.

If a seizure happens out of the water, the person should not continue swimming or water sports that day, even if they appear to be fully recovered.