Home » Blog » General » Decoding Epilepsy: Saving Lives with CPR

Decoding Epilepsy: Saving Lives with CPR

Last Updated on: March 6, 2024

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that happens because of the recurrent seizures that originate in the brain. Seizures, or the sudden electrical bursts inside the patient’s brain, can make them lose control of their body.

The patient becomes unaware of what is happening around them. Seizures can be scary and dangerous, but there are ways to help a person having a seizure. One of them is CPR. It can save a person’s life if they have a seizure that stops their breathing or heart.

Learn the most updated and advanced CPR from CPR Online Certification (COC). Our online CPR certification will prepare you to handle epilepsy patients in case they require CPR. Enroll with us today!

What is Epilepsy and its cause?

Epilepsy is a common condition that affects about 1 out of 10 people in their lifetime. Epilepsy can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or background. Epilepsy is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone else.

Epilepsy is caused by changes in the brain that make it more likely to have seizures. These changes can be due to many factors, such as genetics, brain injury, infection, stroke, tumor, or other diseases. The cause of epilepsy is sometimes unidentified or unknown.

How can you help an epileptic person with CPR?

If you see someone having a seizure, the most important thing is to stay calm and keep the person safe and comfortable until the seizure ends by itself. Here are some general steps to help someone who is having any type of seizure:

  • Remain with the individual until the seizure concludes and they regain full consciousness.
  • Help them sit down in a safe place. If they are at risk of falling, lay them down on the floor and support their head with something soft.
  • Remove any sharp or hard objects from around the person to prevent injury.
  • Loosen any tight clothing around their neck that may make it hard to breathe.
  • Place the person on their side to facilitate breathing.
  • Avoid restraining or restricting their movements.
  • Refrain from inserting anything into the person’s mouth. They cannot swallow their tongue and they may bite or choke on anything you put in their mouth.
  • Do not give them water, food, or medicine until they are fully alert.
  • Time the seizure. Look at your watch and note how long the seizure lasts.
  • It is important to recognize when to call 911 for emergency assistance.

Sometimes, a seizure can stop a person’s breathing or heart. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate action. This is when you need to do CPR. To do CPR, you need to follow these steps:

  • Check if the person is breathing by looking at their chest for movement and feeling for air coming out of their mouth or nose. If they are not breathing or only gasping, start CPR right away.
  • Place one hand on top of the other in the center of the person’s chest. Start chest compressions by pushing hard and fast at least 2 inches deep and 100-120 times per minute.
  • Give rescue breaths by tilting the person’s head back slightly and lifting their chin. Pinch the person’s nose closed. Create an airtight seal by covering their mouth with your own. Blow into their mouth for about 1 second and make their chest rise. Give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 chest compressions.
  • Continue CPR until the person starts breathing, moves, or help arrives.

 

Take the recognized CPR certification course from CPR Online Certification

CPR Online Certification is a leading provider of CPR training and education for individuals, groups, and organizations. CPR Online Certification offers online CPR certification courses that are convenient, flexible, and affordable. They are easy to pursue and can be learned on any device, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can start and stop the course anytime you want, and resume where you left off. You can complete the course in as little as one hour or take as long as you need.

 

When you enroll in CPR Online Certification’s online CPR certification course, you will get access to:

  • High-quality videos and interactive animations that show you how to do CPR step by step
  • Online quizzes and exams
  • A printable certificate of completion that you can download immediately after passing the course.
  • A wallet-sized card that you can carry with you as proof of your certification.
  • A two-year access to the course materials for review and refreshment.

 

Conclusion

Epilepsy is a condition that causes seizures. Seizures can be scary and dangerous, but there are ways to help a person who is having a seizure. One of them is CPR, which can save a person’s life if they have a seizure that stops their breathing or heart.

Don’t wait any longer. Enroll in CPR Online Certification’s online CPR certification course today and become a lifesaver!

Recent Posts