Stay. Safe. Side. Saidia.
Four words that can save a life. The same four words our children already know from the story, and the four words we believe every school in Kenya should teach.
Stay
Do not leave the person alone. Note the time the seizure starts. Stay calm, speak gently, and keep other people back so the person has space and dignity.
Safe
Move away anything hard or sharp. Cushion the head with something soft. Loosen anything tight around the neck. Do not restrain the person or hold them down.
Side
Once the shaking stops, gently turn the person onto their side so the airway stays clear and any saliva can drain. Stay with them until they are fully awake.
Saidia
Get medical help if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, if another follows immediately, if the person is injured, pregnant, or does not wake up afterwards.
- Never put anything in the mouth. A person cannot swallow their tongue.
- Never hold the person down or try to stop the movements.
- Never give food, water or medicine until they are fully awake.
- Never crowd around, take photographs or laugh. Dignity matters.
- The seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
- One seizure follows another without the person waking up.
- The person is injured, has trouble breathing, or does not wake up.
- It is the person's first ever seizure, or they are pregnant or in water.
Seizure first aid taught in every school in Kenya
A child has a seizure in class. Usually there is no plan, no trained teacher, no agreed response. The child gets sent home. Sometimes for good. Teach these four words young and there is nothing to unlearn later. We have shared this vision with Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah, with PS for Public Health Ms Mary Muthoni and with the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya, and we are working with counties to make it real.