Summer is here and it’s no secret that the hot weather and swimming go hand in hand. Most people like to have a dip when its hot, but water activities can hold an inherent risk for people with seizures.
Whether a strong swimmer or not, having a seizure in water can be fatal, even very shallow water. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, often giving little time to react, so prevention is the key. Just like other safety advice, water precautions vary from person to person, but it is good practice to not swim alone, for anyone.
Someone with poorly controlled seizures needs to have a plan in place as a safeguard if a seizure happens in or near water. Each situation will be different depending on the person and the seizure type, but some sound guidelines include:
- Always have a swimming companion who:
- is a strong swimmer who will be in the water with you or very close by,
- is aware you have epilepsy and knows what your seizures look like,
- knows what to do if a seizure happens.
- Note: people with severe or complex seizures may need two companions.
- Don’t swim out of your depth.
- If swimming laps, swim in an outside lane.
- Tell the lifeguard on duty you have epilepsy especially if seizures aren’t controlled.
- Wear a brightly coloured swimming cap to ensure quick and easy identification.
- A life jacket may be necessary for people with poorly controlled seizures.
- Avoid resting at the water’s edge when you aren’t swimming. You could easily slip in if a seizure happened.
- Avoid swimming if you are tired or feeling unwell, or at times a seizure is likely to occur. Be aware that during medication changes, the risk of seizures is increased.
- Avoid hyperventilating (deep fast breaths) or holding your breath for long periods of time. People often do this to swim underwater.
- If you have photosensitive seizures, try wearing tinted goggles or sunglasses to reduce glare, flickering or reflective light.
All people with epilepsy, particularly if seizures aren’t controlled, should first speak to their doctor about safety issues, including water safety.
What to do if a seizure occurs in the water:
- Support the person’s head so their face is out of the water.
- Tilt their head back to ensure a clear airway.
- If in a pool, remove the person from the water when the jerking stops. In the rare circumstance if the jerking does not stop, seek assistance from others if possible, and remove the person from the water at the shallowest end of the pool.
- If in the surf remove the person from the water immediately.
- Flotation devices may be useful when removing someone from the water.
- Seek assistance if you can.
Once out of the water:
- Call an ambulance, even if the person is breathing as they may have inhaled water.
- Place the person on their side.
- Check to see if they are breathing.
- If there is no sign of life, begin resuscitation. The 000 staff will guide you through this process.
When the ambulance arrives inform them of details such as:
- How long did the seizure last?
- What happened during the seizure?
- How aware was the person or did they regain consciousness?
- Did the person experience breathing difficulties?
- Do you think they inhaled water?
- Are there any injuries?
More information
Download this information in our Fact Sheet: Swimming with Epilepsy
Theraquatics for water safety devices
