I'm epileptic
and have a fear of having a seizure in public (I haven't had a fit for 2 years). Your Dad sounds like a top chap, but not everyone knows what to do if someone starts shaking like a shitting dog. Part of my fear comes from someone doing the wrong thing. There are a lot of myths - like people will swallow their tongue, they need restraining etc. Bollocks.

What people should do is:

Move any dangerous objects from nearby.
Talk to the person whilst they are fitting to reassure them.
Try and put something soft under their head.
Time the length of the seizure. If it's over 5 minutes call an ambulance.
If the fit stops but then starts again (regardless of how long it's been happening) call an ambulance.
Put the person in the recovery position as soon as they stop fitting.
Tell them afterwards what has happened - a seizure can be very disorientating and messes up short term memory.
Laugh at them if they've lost bladder or bowel control (optional).

Do not:

Stick your fingers in the person's mouth.
Try and restrain them.
( Fucking hell Jeff I am not a robot, Tue 14 Feb 2012, 6:35, 2 replies)

I worked with someone who tried to clear the tongue out of the airway of someone having a fit
(lying on their back no less) with his fingers. He had to have tetanus shots. I laughed.
The number of times this young lady went into status...
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Tue 14 Feb 2012, 8:34, closed)

After reading this, I now hope someone has has a fit right in front of me soon
So I can act all knowledgable and smarmily authoratative. and maybe help

They'd better hurry up too, as I'll probably forget all this sage advice before too long
(The Magic Number is neither magic nor a number, Tue 14 Feb 2012, 12:14, closed)