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Epileptic Fit for purpose

Medical Keyring
Aug 10, 2017
3 min read

More than 500,000 people suffer from Epilepsy in the UK, meaning that practically 1 in every 100 people have the condition. Each year it is estimated that around 600 people die. from SUDEP, or Sudden Unexpected Death in EPilepsy. For those of us that have never witnessed an epileptic seizure, also known as an epileptic fit, it can be quite shocking and upsetting, and many people are left stunned and not knowing what to do to help.

I don't want to go into the detail of what happens during an epileptic seizure, as you probably already know if you're reading this. Either you are epileptic, or you are reading this because you know somebody that is Epileptic. The point of this Blog post is simply to inform you of a product that you should consider carrying, for Epilepsy above many other medical conditions.

Why do I say 'Epilepsy above many than other medical conditions'? Because a person suffering an epileptic fit is more likely to hurt themselves, be hurt by receiving the incorrect care during a seizure or to hurt other people during a seizure.

QR Medical ID Products offer a range of potentially life-saving medical ID for sufferers of Epilepsy. Each is discussed at the end of this Blog post. But first, I want to skip to the clever part...

Every QR Medical ID Product displays your personal QR code, which is yours for life without subscription. QR codes can be scanned using any smartphone using a free app - many smartphones have QR Scanners pre-installed as they are very popular with modern advertising strategies.

When the QR code is scanned, either by a Paramedic, First Aider or member of the public who is helping you, your medical details will be displayed which will help them to help you. Not only will your QR code enable your emergency contacts to be contacted quickly and easily, but other important medical details will be displayed, such as your NHS Number, Blood Group, Medication, Allergies etc. This is very useful for hospital staff of course, however an additional piece of information can be added which will be critical to non medically trained people, such as members of the public, who are more likely to be with you when you have a seizure. Here is that important information, that is not available on any other Medical Alert jewellery etc.

I AM HAVING AN EPILEPTIC SEIZURE Please read the following:

Stay calm.
Look around - am I in a dangerous place? If not, don't move me. Move objects like furniture away from me.
Try to note the time that my seizure started.
Stay with me. If I don't collapse but seem blank or confused, gently guide me away from any danger. Speak quietly and calmly to me.
Cushion my head with something soft if I have collapsed to the ground.
Don't hold me down.
Don't put anything in my mouth.
Check the time again. If a convulsive (shaking) seizure doesn't stop after 5 minutes, call for an ambulance (dial 999).
After the seizure has stopped, put me into the recovery position and check that my breathing is returning to normal. Gently check my mouth to see that nothing is blocking my airway, such as food or false teeth. If my breathing sounds difficult after the seizure has stopped, call 999 for an ambulance.
Stay with me until I am fully recovered.

If I have injured myself during the seizure, or if I have began to have another seizure without fully recovering from the last one, please call 999 for an ambulance.

I'm sure most of you reading this will agree that this information is critical to anybody suffering an epileptic seizure, and should be more commonly known. Sadly though, it isn't. Medical jewellery only informs people helping you of your medical condition and an emergency contact. By the time somebody has called an emergency contact, if they are able to read your Medical Identification whilst you are thrashing about mid-seizure, you may well have already hurt yourself (either by banging your head, or other part of your body), been hurt by the person trying to help you (by breaking your teeth as they innocently tried to save your tongue) or even caused injury to somebody else.

Whichever QR Medical ID Product you decide is best for you, you can rest assured that you will be more likely to receive the help you need if a dreaded seizure occurs. Here is a list of available products. You can visit our secure online store to place your order here.