AT the Epilepsy Society we are pleased to announce we're partnering with St John Ambulance to make sure everyone knows how to help someone who is having an epileptic seizure.

Research by St John Ambulance has shown that just 29 per cent of people feel 'very confident' of using first aid skills in an emergency. And to coincide with World First Aid Day, it has encouraged people to learn new, simple lifesaving skills including how to support someone who is having a seizure.

The health and first aid organisation is adopting the Epilepsy Society’s simple seizure first aid messaging – Calm, Cushion, Call – as part of its national training and hopes that the three easy-to-remember words will give members of the public the confidence to help someone who is having a seizure.

First aid is always about two people, the person with the medical emergency and the person who is first on the scene. If a member of the public sees a person lying on the pavement, shaking, they may not know that the person is having a seizure, and they won’t know their medical history. But they will want to help and do the right thing for that person.

As long as they stay calm, cushion the person’s head to stop them injuring themselves, and dial 999, then the ambulance staff will be able to talk them through the next steps.

Last week, the Epilepsy Society held a special Calm, Cushion, Call first aid event in Parliament to teach MPs and peers how to help someone who is having a seizure.

To find out more about helping someone who is having a seizure, go to epilepsysociety.org.uk/ccc.

Nicola Swanborough, head of external affairs, the Epilepsy Society