Epilepsy First Aid and Safety in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition in which a person has a tendency to experience recurrent, unprovoked seizures. In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, many people live active, independent lives with epilepsy. About 70% of people can achieve good seizure control with medication, but those who continue to have seizures face higher safety risks—especially when seizures occur without warning or affect awareness.

Local neurologists at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health regularly diagnose and manage epilepsy for residents throughout the Grand Rapids metro area.

Why Seizure Safety Matters

Poorly Controlled Seizures Increase Risk

When seizures are not well controlled, the risk of:

  • Falls and injuries
  • Drowning or water-related accidents
  • Motor vehicle crashes
  • Serious complications, including seizure emergencies and, rarely, death

is significantly higher.

Cold, icy winters in Grand Rapids can add extra risk for people with seizures, especially related to falls on snow and ice, driving in winter conditions, and being outdoors in low temperatures if a seizure occurs.

Good Seizure Control Is the First Line of Protection

The most important step in reducing seizure-related risk is achieving the best seizure control possible. This usually involves:

  • Taking anti-seizure medications exactly as prescribed
  • Attending regular follow-ups with your neurologist or primary care provider
  • Avoiding known seizure triggers (such as sleep deprivation, alcohol, or missed medications)

Local support is available through:

  • Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan
  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources

These organizations can help with education, self-management strategies, and referrals.

Understanding Seizure Risk

Different Types of Seizures, Different Risks

Your level of risk depends on:

  • The type of seizures you have (for example, tonic-clonic vs. focal seizures)
  • How often they occur
  • Whether you get any warning (aura)
  • Your lifestyle and activities

Poorly controlled tonic-clonic seizures (where the body stiffens and then jerks rhythmically) usually carry the highest safety risk, especially during:

  • Climbing (including winter hiking or rock climbing along the Grand River trails)
  • Working at heights (ladders, roofs, scaffolding)
  • Operating machinery or power tools
  • Swimming, boating, or fishing on Michigan lakes and rivers

While life can never be risk-free, you can reduce danger by:

  • Working closely with your doctor or neurologist in Grand Rapids
  • Reviewing your daily activities and identifying potential hazards
  • Creating a personal seizure management and safety plan

First Aid for Tonic-Clonic Seizures

If you are with someone in Grand Rapids who is having a tonic-clonic seizure:

Step 1: Stay Calm and Stay With the Person

  • Note the time the seizure starts if possible.
  • Remain with them until they are fully awake and able to communicate clearly.

Step 2: Keep Them Safe and Protect From Injury

Do:

  • Gently guide them away from hazards (traffic, stairs, sharp objects, hot stoves, icy sidewalks).
  • Place something soft under their head (folded jacket, towel, or cushion).
  • Loosen tight clothing around the neck.
  • Remove glasses if you can safely do so.

Do not:

  • Do not put anything in their mouth. They cannot swallow their tongue.
  • Do not hold them down or try to stop the movements.
  • Do not give food, drink, or medication until they are fully awake.

Step 3: Positioning and Recovery

  • Once the jerking stops, roll the person onto their side (recovery position).
  • If they have food, drink, or fluid in their mouth, roll them onto their side as soon as possible to help keep the airway clear.
  • Check their breathing. It may be noisy or irregular at first but should gradually normalize.
  • Reassure them calmly as they regain awareness. They may be confused, tired, or have a headache.

Call 911 if any of the emergency criteria (listed below) are met.

Seizures in a Wheelchair, Car Seat, or Stroller

If a person has a seizure while in a wheelchair, car seat, or stroller:

  1. Leave them seated with the seatbelt on, unless it is clearly causing harm.
  2. Lock the wheelchair brakes.
  3. If it’s a tilt wheelchair, tilt the seat slightly back and lock it in position.
  4. Support their head to prevent injury.
  5. Lean them slightly to one side to allow saliva or fluid to drain from the mouth.

After the seizure:

  • If they are having trouble breathing or are extremely drowsy, carefully help them out of the chair and place them in the recovery position on their side.
  • If breathing difficulties continue or you are unsure, call 911.

Be prepared to start CPR if they stop breathing or do not have a pulse. Remember that CPR techniques differ for adults, children, and infants; local CPR classes are available through organizations like the American Red Cross of West Michigan.

Seizures in Water: Lakes, Pools, and the Grand River

With West Michigan’s many lakes, rivers, and indoor pools, water safety is especially important for people with epilepsy.

If a Seizure Occurs in Water

In a pool, lake, or indoor aquatic center:

  1. Support the person’s head so their face stays above the water.
  2. Tilt their head back to keep the airway open.
  3. If in a pool, remove them from the water as soon as the jerking stops.
  4. If the jerking does not stop, seek help from others and remove them from the water at the shallowest point possible.
  5. If in open water (lake, river, or surf), remove them from the water immediately. Flotation devices (life jackets, rescue tubes) are very helpful.

Once Out of the Water

  • Call 911 immediately, even if the person is breathing, because they may have inhaled water.
  • Place them on their side in the recovery position.
  • If they are not breathing or not breathing normally, roll them onto their back and begin CPR while waiting for EMS.

When to Call 911 for a Seizure in Grand Rapids

Call 911 for an ambulance if:

  • The seizure lasts 5 minutes or longer, or longer than is typical for that person.
  • A second seizure happens soon after the first.
  • The person does not wake up or respond for more than 5 minutes after the jerking stops.
  • The person has breathing difficulties after the seizure.
  • This is the first known seizure.
  • The seizure occurs in water (pool, lake, river, bath, or shower).
  • The person is injured (head injury, severe fall, bleeding, pregnancy, or other medical concern).
  • You are unsure or feel something is not right.

Grand Rapids EMS teams are trained to respond to seizure emergencies and can transport the person to nearby hospitals such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids for further evaluation.

Epilepsy and Driving in Michigan

Seizures Can Affect Driving Safety

Anything that affects consciousness, awareness, or judgment can make driving unsafe. If you have a seizure or are diagnosed with epilepsy:

  • Your doctor is required to advise you that you cannot drive for a certain period.
  • How long you must stop driving depends on:
    • Whether you have epilepsy
    • The type and frequency of your seizures
    • How well controlled your seizures are

In Michigan, you must meet specific medical criteria to have your license issued or reinstated. If you do not meet those criteria, your license may not be renewed, or you may receive a conditional license.

  • It is your responsibility to inform the Michigan Secretary of State (the licensing authority) that you have had a seizure or been diagnosed with epilepsy.
  • Driving against medical advice is illegal and can be dangerous for you, your passengers, and others on the road.
  • If you have an accident during a recommended non-driving period and a seizure is found to be a factor, you may face legal consequences, including fines or jail time.

For up-to-date information, talk with your neurologist in Grand Rapids and review Michigan’s seizure and driving guidelines through the Michigan Secretary of State website.

Water Safety for People With Epilepsy

With the Grand River, Reeds Lake, and nearby Lake Michigan, many Grand Rapids residents enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming. If you have epilepsy:

Safer practices include:

  • Never swim alone. Always have someone with you who knows seizure first aid.
  • Wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket for all water activities, including boating, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
  • Avoid high-risk water sports such as:
    • Scuba diving
    • High-board diving
    • Solo open-water swimming
  • Prefer showers over baths. Showers generally pose less drowning risk.
  • If you must bathe:
    • Use a hand-held shower attachment.
    • Keep water shallow and avoid locking the bathroom door.
  • Try not to shower or bathe while home alone if your seizures are uncontrolled.
  • Install outward-opening or sliding bathroom doors where possible, so others can access you quickly in an emergency.
  • Keep bathroom doors unlocked.

Home Safety and Everyday Hazards

Most injuries for people with epilepsy happen at home. With Grand Rapids’ older housing stock in some neighborhoods and winter hazards outdoors, it’s important to make your environment as safe as possible.

Making Your Home Safer

Consider:

  • Flooring and furniture

    • Use carpets or rugs with non-slip backing.
    • Cover sharp corners on tables and countertops.
    • Avoid glass-topped tables and glass shower screens where possible.

  • Bathroom and kitchen

    • Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen.
    • Turn pot handles inward and avoid boiling liquids on front burners.
    • Use a microwave instead of a stove when possible.
    • Install barriers or guards around fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters—especially important in Michigan winters.

  • Stairs and heights

    • Ensure railings are sturdy and secure.
    • Use gates or barriers near steep stairs if you are prone to sudden falls.
    • Be cautious with balconies, lofts, and ladders.

  • Doors and access

    • Where possible, install bathroom and bedroom doors that open outward or can be easily removed.
    • Make sure a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member has a key and can check on you if needed.

If You Wander or Get Confused After Seizures

Some people may walk around or become disoriented during or after seizures. To reduce risk:

  • Keep exterior doors locked when you’re home alone to prevent wandering outside into traffic, snow, or cold weather.
  • Consider medical ID (bracelet, necklace, or phone-based ID) that clearly states you have epilepsy and lists emergency contacts.

Falls and Protective Equipment

If you are likely to fall during seizures:

  • “Fall-proof” your home by:
    • Removing tripping hazards (cords, clutter, loose rugs).
    • Using padded furniture edges.
  • Ask your neurologist whether a protective helmet is appropriate. Many helmets are designed to look like regular hats or caps.

Aim for a balance: keep safety precautions sensible and relevant without overly restricting your activities or enjoyment of life.

Seizure Emergencies and Prolonged Seizures

Most seizures last less than 2 minutes and end on their own. However, some people experience:

  • Prolonged seizures (lasting more than 5 minutes)
  • Cluster seizures (multiple seizures close together without full recovery in between)

These situations can become seizure emergencies, which may:

  • Increase the risk of brain injury
  • Be life-threatening if not treated quickly

Your neurologist in Grand Rapids (for example, at Spectrum Health or Metro Health) may prescribe rescue medications (such as certain benzodiazepines) that can be given at home or in the community to help stop a severe seizure. Family members, school staff, or caregivers should be trained on:

  • When to use rescue medication
  • How to give it correctly
  • When to call 911 afterward

SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is when a person with epilepsy dies suddenly and unexpectedly, and no clear cause of death is found. Many SUDEP cases:

  • Occur overnight
  • Are unwitnessed
  • May or may not show signs that a seizure occurred

The exact cause of SUDEP is not yet known. Research is ongoing, including at major academic centers in Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Possible factors include:

  • Changes in breathing during or after a seizure
  • Irregular heart rhythms
  • Problems with brain function after a seizure

Who Is at Higher Risk of SUDEP?

Risk is higher in people who:

  • Have frequent tonic-clonic seizures
  • Have poorly controlled seizures
  • Do not take their medications regularly

Overall, SUDEP is rare—about 1 in 1,000 adults with epilepsy each year (and about 1 in 4,500 children)—but it is important to understand and discuss with your doctor.

Reducing the Risk of Injury, SUDEP, and Complications

Steps you can take to reduce seizure-related risks, including SUDEP, injury, and emergencies:

1. Get the Best Possible Seizure Control

  • Take your medications exactly as prescribed.
  • If you are unhappy with side effects or feel your seizures are not well controlled, speak with your doctor—do not stop medication on your own.
  • Have regular reviews with your neurologist or primary care provider in Grand Rapids.

2. Practice Self-Management

  • Learn as much as you can about your type of epilepsy.
  • Track your seizures, triggers, and medication schedule.
  • Use reminders (phone apps, pill organizers) to avoid missed doses.

3. Avoid Triggers

Common triggers include:

  • Lack of sleep
  • High stress
  • Alcohol or recreational drugs
  • Missed medication doses
  • Flashing lights (for some people)

Try to:

  • Get enough sleep on a regular schedule.
  • Manage stress, using relaxation techniques, counseling, or support groups in the Grand Rapids area.
  • Limit or avoid alcohol, especially binge drinking.
  • Know when your seizures are most likely to occur (for example, early morning or late at night) and plan higher-risk activities at safer times.

4. Educate People Around You

  • Make sure family, friends, coworkers, teachers, and coaches know:
    • That you have epilepsy
    • What your seizures look like
    • What to do (and not do) during a seizure
    • When to call 911

Local epilepsy education and training are available through the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan and community health programs in Kent County.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you or someone you love has epilepsy in Grand Rapids, consider connecting with:

  • Neurologists and Epilepsy Clinics

    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) Neurology
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health and affiliated clinics

  • Public Health and Support

    • Kent County Health Department – information on chronic disease management and local services
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs – community health education and support

  • Epilepsy Support Organizations

    • Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan – education, support groups, advocacy, and resources for people living with epilepsy across the state
    • Local support groups and online communities for West Michigan residents

These organizations can help you create a personalized safety plan, learn seizure first aid, and connect with others living with epilepsy in the Grand Rapids area.

Key Points

  • Epilepsy is a common brain condition that causes a tendency to have recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
  • Seizure-related risks are higher when seizures are poorly controlled.
  • Good seizure control is the most important step in reducing the risk of injuries, emergencies, and SUDEP.
  • Different types of seizures and different lifestyles carry different risks, so safety plans should be individualized.
  • Knowing seizure first aid, recognizing when to call 911, and making your home and activities safer can help most people with epilepsy in Grand Rapids live full, active, and independent lives.