A cyclist has shared the helmet cam footage of the terrifying moment he had an epileptic fit while out on his bike.
Tim Fry was riding with friends when he had a seizure without warning.
He said on his blog: “I cycle a fair bit and continue to do so. I film some of it with a sports camera for fun and playback. In the video shown here, I remember up until the seizure point and some five minutes later when I woke up in a very confused state.
“All my seizures have been the same, no real prior warning.
“Two other further seizures were during sport too, one on my bike in a sprint race when I ended up cycling into a wall causing bit of an injury! The other playing intensive indoor football.
“My father and sister have also had single seizures but have grown out of them early in their 20s so I’m hoping for the same.
“I’ve been seizure free for over a year now. I’ve realised that my seizures definitely happen for a reason. I keep an eye on sleep, stress, diet and exercise.
“Exercise is really important but I keep a close eye on heart rate, fatigue and body heat to minimise any chance of anything happening. I think everyone in life has a seizure threshold - it’s just mine is much lower than others'.
“I hope the video gives a realistic first person viewpoint of what happens during a seizure and that it will help to make people more aware of the condition.
“No one fits into one category for epilepsy. It’s just my experiences and views on it. I know others have a much harder time and I’m grateful that I have it fairly easy, Finding a good medical consultant has been a massive help.”
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4 comments
Interesting stuff. I had one last year (my first & only so far) on the way home from work in the middle of town. I've got a no recollection of it, just a scar on my eye and some chipped teeth as souvenirs.
First, good to know awareness is being spread.
Equally concerning is the flashing mode of bike lights, for two reasons. It appears on the roads many cyclists alike mount these points directly at oncoming traffic eyes. Second the strobe flashing effect can similarly induce an epileptic fit.
Are there guidelines that such flashlights have to fall within to reduce risk of causing others such seizures?
That's a good point - bike lights shouldn't be set to flash more than 4 times a second (I think there's some law about it) as it's 3-60Hz flashing that can trigger a seizure in some people with epilepsy. Flashing lights can also have an effect on people who don't have epilepsy, causing disorientation or uncomfortableness. Apparently, covering one eye with your hand can help: http://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/photosensitive-epilepsy
I'm glad that happened in a safe area for him. That must be disconcerting when you don't get any warning about an oncoming seizure and if they happen rarely then there's not much you can do to reduce the risks.
That's an interesting use of a helmet/chest cam though.
P.S. Seixure? Do we have any editors on this site?