The first step is pretty basic but critical. If you are alone and have a seizure or are not able to talk for yourself, you want other people to know who you are, what to do and who to call. On your seizure plan, make sure to include the following information:

• Your information: name, home address, phone number
• Your Birthdate
• 1st emergency contact: Include full name, relationship to you, and how to contact them. This would be the first person you want contacted in an emergency situation; it’s often your ‘next of kin’ or a health care proxy who you have given permission to speak for you if you are not able to do so yourself. Write down all the ways to get in touch with this person.
• 2nd emergency contact: Include full name, relationship to you, and how to contact them. This would be the next person you want to be contacted if the first one is not available. Make sure it is someone who can either speak for you if you are not able to do so, or who can help you until your 1st emergency contact, next of kin, or health care proxy can be reached.
• Electronic Seizure Form: If you are creating this plan in your online epilepsy diary, your demographic and personal information will not be saved and stored on the website. It will print out if you would like or you can leave the personal information blank and fill it in by pen once the rest of the plan is completed online.

Continue to Knowing My Health Care Team

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Revised: Robert Fisher, MD and Patricia O. Shafer RN, MN

April, 2010