EMS activation is recommended if a seizure lasts five minutes or longer.

• A. Two minutes
• B. Ten minutes
• C. Fifteen minutes
• D. Five minutes

Answer: (D)

Recognizing when a seizure becomes a medical emergency requiring EMS. Prolonged seizures carry a higher risk of ongoing abnormal brain activity, hypoxia, injury, and other complications, so getting professional help sooner rather than later is important. Five minutes is the standard point at which medical teams advise activating EMS because the chance of the seizure continuing or recurring without recovery increases with time. At that stage, responders can support the airway and breathing, monitor vital signs, administer anti-seizure medications if needed, and arrange urgent transport to a hospital. Shorter seizures may stop on their own with safety precautions, but once the duration reaches five minutes, medical involvement is recommended.