Clear, Personalized Guidance for Managing Seizures Safely at Home, School, and Work

A Seizure Action Plan (SAP) is an essential tool for anyone living with epilepsy. It provides clear, step‑by‑step instructions for caregivers, teachers, family members, and emergency personnel on what to do before, during, and after a seizure.

At Georgia Epilepsy & Neurology Institute, we create individualized seizure action plans for children and adults to ensure safety, reduce anxiety, and support confident care in any setting.

Why a Seizure Action Plan Matters

A well‑designed SAP helps:

  • Prevent injuries
  • Guide caregivers through urgent situations
  • Reduce unnecessary ER visits
  • Improve communication between families, schools, and medical teams
  • Ensure consistent care across home, school, and community environments

Every patient with epilepsy — especially children, individuals with frequent seizures, or those with rescue medications — should have a written plan.

What’s Included in Your Seizure Action Plan

Each plan is customized and may include:

1

Patient Information

  • Name, date of birth
  • Emergency contacts
  • Medical conditions
  • Allergies
2

Seizure Description

  • Types of seizures
  • Typical duration
  • Usual triggers
  • What the seizure looks like
3

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Caregivers

  • How to keep the person safe
  • When to time the seizure
  • When to administer rescue medication
  • When to call 911
  • What NOT to do
4

Rescue Medication Instructions

  • Medication name and dose
  • When to give it
  • How to administer it
  • When to repeat a dose (if applicable)
5

Emergency Criteria

Clear guidance on when to seek emergency medical care.

6

Post‑Seizure Care

  • Monitoring
  • Recovery expectations
  • When to notify the neurology team
7

Provider Information

  • Treating neurologist
  • Clinic contact information
  • After‑hours instructions

What to Do During a Seizure

Stay Calm & Keep the Person Safe

  • Gently guide them away from danger
  • Ease them to the ground if needed
  • Place something soft under the head
  • Loosen tight clothing

Do NOT:

  • Do not restrain
  • Do not put anything in the mouth
  • Do not give food, drink, or medication during the seizure

Time the Seizure
Duration is critical for determining when to use rescue medication or call 911.

When to Use Rescue Medication

Your personalized plan will specify when to administer rescue medication, such as:

  • Seizure lasting longer than X minutes
  • Cluster seizures occurring close together
  • Atypical or unusually intense events

We provide clear, written instructions for each patient.

When to Call 911

Call emergency services if:

  • A seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
  • Multiple seizures occur without recovery
  • Breathing difficulty or cyanosis occurs
  • Injury happens during the seizure
  • The person does not return to baseline
  • It is the first seizure

These criteria are included in every SAP.

After‑Hours & Emergency Care

For urgent concerns outside business hours, call our main office and follow the instructions to reach the on‑call provider.

Important:

Medication refills are not handled after hours. Refills must be requested during business hours or through your pharmacy or patient portal.

Seizure Action Plans for Schools & Daycare

We provide school‑ready SAPs that meet the requirements of:

  • Public and private schools
  • Daycare centers
  • Special education programs
  • Nursing staff and school administrators

These plans include clear instructions for teachers, bus drivers, and support staff.

How to Get Your Personalized Seizure Action Plan

We create SAPs during clinic visits and update them as needed. To request a new or updated plan:

  • Call our office
  • Request through the patient portal
  • Ask during your next appointment

We recommend updating the plan every 12 months or sooner if medications or seizure patterns change.

Our Commitment to Safety

A seizure action plan empowers families, caregivers, and patients with confidence and clarity. Our goal is to ensure that every person with epilepsy has a plan that is:

  • Easy to understand
  • Clinically accurate
  • Personalized
  • Ready for home, school, and community use

We are here to support you every step of the way.