- Understand the 2 main different forms of epilepsy - major and minor - their causes e.g. shortness of breath, electrical play, certain positions, flickering lights (candles or reflections?) and symptoms e.g a sudden cry, lack of response, twitching, odd noises, dilated (wide open) pupils or convulsions, many of which could be misinterpreted as they are similar to things seen naturally in other subs at various stages of play
- Discuss with your partner their history and experiences of the condition
- Do you know that medication is not usually used in immediate treatment?
- Do you know how to protect someone having an incident?
- Do you know the necessary aftercare that is required?
- Do you know how to give First Aid, including CPR, if required?
- In about 50% of cases the sufferer will get some immediate warning of the onset of an incident, which may give them time to give warning and/or seek a safe position.
- An incident of Le Grand Mal - major epilepsy - can feature powerful convulsions. If the sub is in bondage muscle injury or even fractures could result.
- A sub or Dom/me who is standing may fall and in convulsions may injure themself.
- Have you discussed an appropriate safe system which tells you an incident may be imminent?
- i.e. unlike in asthma etc. a soft ball held in the hand to be dropped in emergency may be dropped or apparently thrown but it may be trapped in the hand in a convulsion
- What will you do if your partner becomes too distressed or unable to explain clearly what he/she needs?
- stop play, something is going wrong. Evaluate if the simple stopping and care will be enough or whether medical advice is needed
- Do you know at which point medical attention is necessary?
- Does your partner care enough to take a close interest in all of the preceding questions?
- Problems? Are you unsure? Call a Doctor- NOW!!!?