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The first time you come across someone having a fit can be difficult or frightening, especially if the person is a family member or friend. Many people witnessing a fit for the first time dial 999 for an ambulance. By the time the paramedics arrive the fit will usually be over and the person will be recovering, although they may be a bit confused. It is not necessary to call an ambulance unless the fit lasts longer than five minutes, there are repeated fits or if the person has been injured during the fit.

If you are present when someone has a fit, move any dangerous objects away from them and place a soft object such as a cushion or rolled-up jumper under their head. If possible, once the shaking has stopped, protect the head and turn the person's head and body to one side. This turning helps to protect their breathing. Trained first aiders should use the recovery position.

Do not try to put your finger or anything else in their mouth or remove any false teeth and do not try to hold onto the arms or legs to prevent jerking as this may actually cause damage to the limbs or to yourself. Just wait until the fit stops. It is possible that the person may cry out and sometimes their face may take on a bluish tinge due to a lack of oxygen. This will be followed by deep breathing and the appearance of froth at the mouth, which is sometimes tinged with blood if the tongue has been bitten. Sometimes there is loss of bladder control, or rarely, bowel control, during generalised tonic clonic seizures.

If the fit has not stopped after five minutes, call an ambulance. You will also need to call an ambulance if one fit follows another without the person regaining consciousness. This is known as status epilepticus and is a serious condition that requires urgent medical attention and treatment with intravenous AEDs. If you have epilepsy, it is important that someone close to you knows what to do.