Glossary
Epilepsy
A condition that causes repeated seizures. People with epilepsy have a higher drowning risk, especially in bathtubs.
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes repeated seizures. A seizure in or near water can cause a person to lose consciousness or control, so people with epilepsy face a higher risk of drowning. The CDC (opens in a new tab) says drowning is the most common cause of unintentional injury death for people with seizure disorders, and that the bathtub is the most common place they drown. A meta-analysis found the drowning risk for people with epilepsy was 15 to 19 times higher than in the general population (Bell et al., 2008 (opens in a new tab)).
Many people with epilepsy still swim and enjoy the water with extra precautions. The CDC (opens in a new tab) advises:
- one-on-one supervision around water;
- considering showers instead of baths;
- the buddy system, which it says is especially helpful for people with seizure disorders;
- choosing places with lifeguards when possible.
If a seizure happens in water, call 911; the CDC (opens in a new tab) lists a seizure in water as one of the times to call. Talk with your doctor about seizure control and which water activities are safe for you. See water safety with epilepsy or seizures and the buddy system.
What you can do today: tell the people you swim with what to do if you have a seizure in the water.