Don't Put Anything in a Seizing Person's Mouth
This myth has been around for generations, but it is impossible to swallow your own tongue (Epilepsy Society). Putting objects — a wallet, a spoon, your fingers — in a seizing person's mouth can break their teeth and injure their mouth and jaw, and you can injure your fingers. An object in the mouth also gets in the way of breathing: broken pieces, blood and saliva can be inhaled. The person may bite their tongue or cheek during a seizure, and an object does not prevent that. The most helpful thing you can do is protect their head, clear the area and time the seizure. Once it ends, check their breathing: if it is normal, roll them onto their side so saliva can drain; if they are not breathing normally, call an ambulance and start CPR. More: what to do during a seizure.
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