Empowering High School Students through Seizure First Aid Training: Dual Benefits for Bystanders and Individuals Experiencing Seizures
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
The research topic for this capstone project is seizure first aid education to high school students.
The capstone project involved delivering an informative presentation to high school students focused on increasing awareness and understanding of seizures. The presentation discussed what seizures are, common symptomology, and the appropriate first aid steps to take when observing a seizure.
The goal of the capstone project is to educate high school students about seizures by increasing their understanding of what seizures are, how to recognize signs and symptoms, and how to provide safe and effective first aid treatment as bystanders. Another goal is to increase students’ confidence in responding to a seizure emergency.
This topic is deeply important to me as I have a seizure disorder, which was diagnosed while I was in high school. My close friends and teachers were unaware of what to do if I were to have a prolonged seizure.
This research topic shows relevance to the PA field and practice as it addresses a gap present in first aid knowledge among a large population, specifically high school students. Medical professionals are the primary disseminators of first aid education, playing a crucial role in improving public emergency response and saving lives.
There is a large gap in the lack of knowledge of what seizures are and what to do when seizures occur. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated that schools execute CPR training.1 Including many American schools, Taiwan, Canada, and European countries have added mandatory CPR training into their education. Seizure first aid training is not a part of this required curriculum.
Research Question:
What are the benefits of seizure first aid education for the person experiencing the seizure as well as the bystander?
Publication Date
5-15-2026
Citation Information
Swayne, Maylin, "Empowering High School Students through Seizure First Aid Training: Dual Benefits for Bystanders and Individuals Experiencing Seizures" (2026). Student Works Physician Assistant. 68.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/68
