Teaching Friends And Babysitters Epilepsy First Aid

Handing your child to a babysitter, friend or relative is part of everyday family life. When a child has epilepsy, that handover can feel loaded with worry. The solution is preparation. Give the people you trust clear information, the right skills and the confidence to act. This guide shows you how to brief carers and how training turns anxiety into a calm, reliable routine.

Why first aid knowledge matters

Seizures can happen without warning. Most are not life threatening, but the first minutes matter. A confident carer can prevent injuries, reduce panic and collect useful details for clinicians. Without guidance even caring adults may make avoidable mistakes, such as restraining a child, inserting objects into the mouth or moving them too soon after a fall.

Build a simple sitter pack

Create a one page pack and keep it with the emergency kit.

• A photo and a short description of typical seizures your child has.
  
• Triggers to avoid, such as missed medication, sleep loss or illness.
  
• Your seizure action plan with step by step instructions.
  
• Where emergency medication is stored and who has consent to give it.
  
• Emergency contacts for parents, a neighbour and your GP.
  
• Notes about recovery, comfort items and what is normal for your child after a seizure.
  

Step by step: what to do during a seizure

• Stay calm and start timing immediately.
  
• Keep the child safe by moving hazards away and cushioning the head.
  
• Do not restrain and do not put anything in the mouth.
  
• If a tonic clonic seizure approaches five minutes, follow the emergency plan.
  
• After the seizure, place the child in the recovery position, reassure and allow rest.
  
• Write down what happened: start and end time, movements, colour, breathing, injuries and recovery time.
  

When to call for help

Call 999 if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, if seizures repeat without recovery, if breathing does not return to normal, if there is a serious injury or if this is a first ever seizure. If unsure, call. Paramedics prefer to be called early.

Rescue medication: training only

If your child has Buccal Midazolam or Rectal Diazepam prescribed, babysitters should only administer after hands on training and clear written consent. Keep medication in a labelled kit with the prescription, dose chart and the action plan. Check expiry dates each month and replace in good time.

Practise the routine

Confidence grows with practice. Do a dry run together before a first sit.

• Role play a scenario and time a mock event to five minutes.
  
• Walk through preparing rescue medication using a trainer device.
  
• Rehearse a short script for calling parents and for calling 999.
  
• Show where the action plan, first aid kit and medication live.
  

Boundaries and expectations

Be explicit about expectations. Agree when the sitter should contact you during the evening, what activities are okay, which screens to avoid if photosensitivity is a concern and what bedtime looks like. Clear boundaries remove guesswork and reduce stress for everyone.

Working with schools and clubs

If your child attends after school clubs or sports, align the sitter pack with the documents used by staff. Consistency helps everyone act the same way. Share the same action plan with coaches and club leaders, and confirm who can administer rescue medicine on site.

Consent and documentation

Ask your clinician for an individualised protocol that lists the exact circumstances for rescue medication, the dose, repeat dose rules and when to call for help. Keep a signed consent form in the kit. Update documents after clinic reviews, medication changes or weight based dose adjustments.

Work with National Epilepsy Training

You do not have to teach everything yourself. National Epilepsy Training can deliver:

• Epilepsy Awareness and First Aid for family, friends and childcare providers.
  
• Emergency Medication Training with competency assessment.
  
• Tailored family sessions that refine your seizure action plan and build a safe care network.
  

Courses can be delivered in person or online to suit your schedule and can include babysitters, relatives and school staff so everyone hears the same clear guidance.

Checklist for caregivers

• I know what the child’s seizures look like and what to do first.
  
• I know where the medication kit and action plan are kept.
  
• I can time events and know when to call 999.
  
• I will never restrain or put anything in the mouth.
  
• I understand post seizure care and when to call parents.
  
• I am trained and competent before giving any rescue medication.
  

Frequently asked questions

• Do sitters need to be medically qualified? No. They need clear instructions and competency based training for any medicine they may give.
  
• What if my sitter is nervous? Nerves are normal. A short practice, a clear checklist and a phone call script reduce anxiety fast.
  
• How often should we refresh training? Review the plan every six months, after any change in medication, or after a significant event.
  

Final thoughts

Teaching friends and babysitters epilepsy first aid is not about turning them into clinicians. It is about giving them simple, reliable actions and the confidence to use them. With a clear plan, a practised routine and appropriate training, parents can step out without dread and children can enjoy the ordinary freedoms every family deserves.