If a patient experiences a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or repeated seizures, what is required?

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A seizure that lasts more than five minutes or happens in clusters without the person regaining consciousness is a medical emergency that needs urgent help. Prolonged or repeated seizures can lead to serious problems like brain injury or breathing difficulties, so waiting is not safe.

What to do: immediately call emergency services (dial 999) so trained responders can be with you as soon as possible. While you wait, make the area safe to prevent injury—move harmful objects away, cushion the head, and do not hold the person down or put anything in their mouth. Do not try to stop the seizure. When the seizure ends, turn the person onto their side in the recovery position, check that they are breathing, and monitor until help arrives. If you know they have specific needs (like rescue medication), have information ready for the responders.

Other options delay essential care and could allow the situation to worsen, so calling for urgent help is the correct course.