Executing a seizure response protocol correctly — stay, call for help without leaving, time the event, document precisely.
At a glance
When: A student with a seizure protocol shows possible seizure signs.
Remember: Know the 911 triggers: 5+ minutes, no recovery of consciousness, injury, or a first-time seizure. Rescue meds only if you're trained and authorized.
What strong practice looks like — and why.
The scenario you saw
A student you support has a documented seizure protocol. During lunch, they begin showing signs consistent with a possible seizure — stiffening, blank stare, repetitive motion. What are your immediate steps?
Before you read on — what would you do here? Picture your move, then reveal how strong practice handles it.
You stay — never leave. Call for help without leaving their side: send another adult, use your phone, call out. Note the start time and what you observe. Don't restrain. Don't put anything in their mouth. Don't move them unless they're in immediate danger. Know the 911 triggers in the protocol: seizure lasting 5+ minutes, failure to regain consciousness after the seizure ends, injury, or a first-time event — those are emergencies and you call. If the student's protocol includes rescue medication (such as Diastat or Nayzilam), know ahead of time whether you are trained and authorized to administer it. After the convulsive phase ends, if it is safe to do so, gently turn the student onto their side — this protects their airway. Then document everything with exact times — your account is the medical record, and precision matters for treatment decisions.
Why this works
The first rule is the hardest under stress: you never leave — you call for help without leaving the student's side. From there it's protect and observe, not intervene: note the start time, don't restrain, don't put anything in their mouth, don't move them unless they're in danger. What turns a frightening moment into safe care is knowing the protocol's emergency triggers in advance and documenting exact times, because your account becomes the medical record clinicians rely on.
What to look for
Recall is where it sticks — a few quick scenarios.
Reading is useful, but recall is where it sticks. Three short scenarios, low-stakes, no scoring — about 3 minutes. You can stop any time.
Start the practice set →Short on time? Start with the first one.
Scope & safety
Know the protocol's 911 triggers ahead of time — a seizure lasting 5+ minutes, not regaining consciousness afterward, injury, or a first-time seizure are emergencies: call. Rescue medication (e.g., Diastat, Nayzilam) is only yours to give if you've been specifically trained and authorized; after the convulsive phase, if it's safe, turn the student on their side to protect the airway.
CDC school health resource covering health plan implementation, seizure response, and coordination with nursing staff.