This incident described below took place more than forty years ago but the memory of it still feels fresh.
Although I have met several persons who had a history of epileptic seizures, I once saw such an event actually take place. It was in a factory workplace environment.
I didn't know the victim but he appeared to be a young man, in his early twenties I would say, who had collapsed to the floor and was writhing with the spasms.
Another employee who also happened to be a volunteer fireman in his local community had taken over the situation and did everything right. He had cleared the area of every chair, of every stool, of several tables and of various rather large items of hardware while standing as close to the victim as he could get while talking continuously to him, repeatedly calling him by his first name.
He absolutely did NOT try to put anything between the victim's teeth. If you have ever heard that "old wives' tale", forget it!! There is a much greater chance of causing injury that way than preventing it.
The seizures lasted for about twenty minutes by which time medical assistance had arrived.
When this fellow had first applied for employment, he did not disclose that he had an epileptic history. Because he had concealed that, he was given work assignments where a seizure could have placed him in physical danger and/or could have placed someone else in physical danger.
Imagine standing on a step ladder while holding something and having a seizure occur. A fall under that circumstance could easily be fatal.
It's an old adage, but: Honesty is the best policy.
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