A few days ago my morning started off great. I hadn't spilled anything on myself, the car was
running, and I was on time as I headed into work. But that changed when I got to the train
station.

I didn't notice people standing around at first. Mostly because I’m the least observant
person I know. That day there were several men and women standing around gaping at
something on the floor. As I paid my fare and walked through the subway turnstile, curiosity got
the better of me. I turned around to find there was a woman on the floor in the midst of a
convulsive seizure.

No compressions, please...I grumbled something and paid my fare again to go back out the turnstile so I could help.  The man who had called 911 seemed to be under the impression that the woman was having a heart attack. Argh, at least he wasn’t doing compressions. I found an ID bracelet which showed detailed instructions on who to call if the woman had a seizure. Then I asked that someone move the purse that was wrapped around her arm.

Since the man who called 911 was still on the line I was able to tell him, and therefore the dispatcher, that the woman was in fact having a seizure. She stopped for a minute or so and then began to seize again as the medics arrived.

Would you know what to do?

At that point I exited stage left. Paid my fare yet again and reminded the man who called 911 that he had done a good thing. He was still standing there looking at his phone.  As I continued my commute that morning, it occurred to me how many people don't know what to do when someone has a seizure. The experience reminded me how important it is to communicate what a seizure can look like and what to do to help.

Use the 4 C’s

I found a site that details first aid instructions (http://www.epilepsyoutreach.org/first-aid-for-seizures.html), for both convulsive and non-convulsive seizures. The site talks about the 4 C's of seizure first aid: Calm, Clear, Comfort, Call. I love the simplicity of this message. Go to
www.epilepsyoutreach.org and take a look. Show it to someone else. Spread the word. Maybe next time someone is having a seizure the person calling 911 won't think they are having a heart attack. Here's hoping.

Jessica Keenan Smith, founder of Living Well With Epilepsy, is an author, blogger, and an
expert in niche marketing. Jessica has lived with epilepsy for more than 25 years and Living
Well has become resource to the more than 50 million people worldwide affected by epilepsy.
Jessica’s writing can also be found on Feministing.com, SheWrites.com, Exhalezine.com and
GoodDaysBadDays.net among other news outlets. She is an active member of the Society of
Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and her work includes essays, articles, blog
posts and picture books. In addition, she speaks on living with epilepsy, making the most of
social media, and other topics.