How should you care for a victim having a seizure while in the water?

Supporting the victim with their head above water during a seizure is crucial for ensuring their safety and preventing drowning. When a person has a seizure, their body may become stiff or start to jerk uncontrollably. In this state, they have a heightened risk of inhaling water or losing their ability to breathe properly. By keeping the victim’s head above water, you help maintain their airway, allowing them to breathe and minimizing the risk of water aspiration.

This approach also allows for quick access to medical assistance if needed, while providing the victim with buoyancy during the seizure. Lifeguards and trained professionals must ensure that the environment remains safe for the victim, as well as for themselves and any bystanders.

Other choices involve actions that could endanger the victim further or provide inadequate care during a critical moment. For instance, submerging the victim could lead to drowning and serious injury. Pulling them out of the water immediately may not be feasible or safe during a seizure, as it could cause more harm than good due to the movements of the seizure. Shaking the victim, even gently, is not appropriate and could potentially worsen their condition or cause injury.