Seizure At Hinsdale Central Prompts Suggestion

HINSDALE, IL – A student leader at Hinsdale Central High School recently witnessed a classmate suffering from an epileptic seizure.

Shreemann Patel, Central's student liaison to the school board, recounted the incident at Thursday night's board meeting.

The seizure occurred during a musical rehearsal, Patel said. Teachers responded quickly and called 911, which he said was the right move.

"There was some uncertainty about what to do from a first aid standpoint, understandable given how stressful and rare these situations can be," Patel told the board.

Patel said that because he was certified in first aid, he intervened and was able to help guide the appropriate first aid response.

"Thankfully, everything turned out OK," he said.

Afterward, Patel said he learned that employees aren't required to become certified in first aid. He suggested the school consider such a requirement.

"From what I've learned, these skills can really make a difference not just for seizures, but for a wide range of situations possible in schools," Patel said.