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Recreation
& Safety Issues
 hysical activity
promotes happiness, satisfaction, self-expression and social
interaction. It is a key component in maintaining healthy minds
and bodies. A seizure disorder does not interfere with the ability
to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities. In fact, research
has shown that people have fewer seizures if they lead an active
life.
For the person whose seizures are not well
controlled, the following guidelines will help to ensure that
recreational activities are safe and enjoyable.
- Bicycle Safety
- Water Safety and First Aid Procedures in
the Water
- Summer Camp
- Safety Around the Home
Bicycle
Safety
 ead injury is a
major risk for all bicyclists. For those without a seizure disorder,
a head injury suffered in a bicycling accident could cause epilepsy.
For cyclists with epilepsy, a head injury could aggravate a seizure
disorder. A helmet provides valuable protection for the person
with epilepsy, should a seizure occur while bicycling.
Helmets act as shock absorbers, spreading
and absorbing the impact energy when the head hits something.
Cyclists need to ensure a helmet fits properly, has a label indicating
approval by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and that
it has never absorbed an impact before. After a bicycling accident,
the helmet liner is damaged and the entire helmet must be replaced.
Water Safety
and First Aid Procedures in the Water
Swimming
 wimming can be
a safe and enjoyable activity for children and adults with epilepsy
when the following guidelines are followed.
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Check with your physician before swimming. |
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Don't swim if you feel unwell or tired. |
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Whenever possible, swim in a pool rather than
in a river, lake or
ocean. |
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Always swim with an experienced swimmer. |
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Inform lifeguards, camp counsellors or swimming
instructors
about your epilepsy. |
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Swim when the pool is not busy. |
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Ensure that medication has been taken as prescribed. |
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Don't dive unless you have been seizure free
for several years
and your physician has approved your diving. |
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Wear an easily identifiable bathing cap or CSA
approved
flotation device. |
Boating
Follow these precautions when enjoying boating
activities:
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Never go out on the water alone. |
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Always wear a CSA approved life vest. |
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Wear polarized sunglasses if seizures are triggered
by flashing
light, such as the reflection of sunlight on water (i.e. Zeiss Blue Lens). |
First Aid Procedures in the Water
If a seizure occurs while a person is in the
water, follow these procedures:
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1. |
While in the water |
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* -Turn the person face up. |
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* -Support the face out of the water. |
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*- Tilt head back to keep airway clear. |
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2. |
Get the person out of the water as soon as possible. |
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3. |
Once out of the water |
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* -Place person on their left side. |
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*- Check to see if person is breathing. |
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*- If the person is not breathing, begin resuscitation
promptly. |
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* -Call an ambulance immediately. This is essential. |
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4. |
After the emergency |
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*- Ensure person has a medical check-up. |
Summer Camp
 wo essential components
for a safe and enriching camping experience for the child or
young adult with epilepsy are: an informed camp staff and an
excellent communication network which involves the staff, the
child's parents, the physician and other campers.
The child whose seizures are well controlled
usually is able to benefit from regular camping activities, without
special limitations. However, there are certain guidelines, which
must be kept in mind:
Swimming should be carefully supervised. No
child with epilepsy should swim alone.
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Life vests should be worn when the child is participating
in
sailing, canoeing or other water sports. |
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If rappelling is a camp activity, the child should
be securely tied
on the safety rope and wear head protection. |
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If the child participates in horseback riding
programs, the
temperament of the horse and its typical response to the
unexpected should be taken into account. The child should
wear protective headgear. |
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If a child's seizures are triggered by a reaction
to flashing light,
polarized sunglasses should be worn when there is substantial
reflection of sunlight (e.g. on water, through trees when hiking
or riding, etc.). |
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Camp counsellors should be provided with the
following
information: |
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- type of seizures child experiences
- length of seizures
- amount of rest required after seizure
- first aid requirements
- conditions or events that trigger seizures
- medication taken
- side effects of medication (emotional and
or behavioural)
- how often medication's taken
- who administers medication while child's
at camp
- whether there is an aura or any other physical
conditions
- does child have an understanding of epilepsy
and its treatment
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When additional supervision of the child with
epilepsy is
necessary, it is important that it be as unobtrusive as possible.
In an overprotective environment, the child may feel 'singled
out' or different from other campers. |
A successful camping experience offers a child
with a seizure disorder a chance for new independence and social
development without compromising a safe environment.
Safety Around
the Home
 or the person whose
seizures are not well controlled, there are certain safeguards
around the home that can prevent serious injuries in the event
of a seizure.
Kitchen
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Microwave ovens are usually a safer alternative
to a traditional
range. |
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When using a stove: |
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- select a model with controls located at the
front
- use the back burners whenever possible
- use a stove guard which fits around the side
and front of the stove.
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Buy a kettle and iron with an automatic switch-off. |
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When loading a dishwasher, ensure that knives
and other sharp
ustensils are placed safely out of the way. |
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Avoid: |
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- breakable dinnerware
- electric egg beaters
- electric carving knives
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Bathroom
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Never lock the bathroom door. |
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Sit down when showering, and only shower when
someone
else is at home. |
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Avoid baths entirely. A sponge bath using the
sink is a safe
alternative. |
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Keep a rubber bathmat on the floor of the shower,
and pad the
edge of the tub with a folded towel. |
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To prevent burns, turn on the cold water first,
and avoid glass
shower doors. |
TV / Computer / Video Games
The following recommendations apply if seizures
are triggered by flashing or flickering lights:
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Ensure that the screen is in good working order. |
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To reduce contrast, always have a light on in
the room, situated
above and behind the viewer. |
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Watch television at a distance of at least 3
metres, at a 45-degree
angle. |
Other Home Safety Measures
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Bungalows and spilt-level houses are safer than
two-storey homes. |
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Look for ground level entry when purchasing or
renting a house. |
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When decorating, avoid glass and mirror tiles
as well as floor or
table lamps. Select furniture with rounded edges. Whenever
possible, place furniture against the wall. |
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Forced air heating is preferable to exposed heating
elements such
as radiators and baseboard heaters. |
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Staircases with several landings are recommended
to prevent long
falls. |
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