Why use the recovery position?
- It prevents the casualty's tongue from blocking their airway
- It promotes drainage of fluids, such as blood or vomit, from their mouth
- It keeps the casualty in a safe position if they have to be left alone
Action - step one
- Kneel beside casualty
- Remove any fragile objects, such as their glasses
- Place the arm nearest you at right angles to casualty's body, with palm facing upwards
Action - step two
- Bring casualty's far arm across their chest
- Hold back of casualty's hand against opposite cheek
- With your other hand, pull up the far leg just above the knee, keeping the foot on the ground
Action - step three
- Pull the knee towards you, rolling the casualty towards you and on to their side
- Keep the casualty's hand pressed against their cheek, as this helps to keep their airway open
- Tilt back their head and adjust the hand under the cheek, if necessary, to ensure head remains tilted
- Check for breathing
- Adjust upper leg so both hip and knee are bent at right angles
- Monitor the casualty's condition until help arrives
Recovery position for babies
If an infant is unconscious but breathing, hold them on their side, head tilted, as if you were giving them a cuddle, with their head lower than their tummy.
Modified recovery position
What is it for?
This position is for use with a casualty with a suspected spinal injury who's unconscious but breathing. The aim is to keep the head and neck aligned with the body at all times.
If you need to put a casualty in the modified recovery position, it's important you have other people to help.
Step one
Steady and support the casualty's head by putting your hands over their ears. Ask a helper to support and straighten the casualty's legs.
Step two
Position the casualty's arm nearest to you at right angles to their body. The helper grasps the casualty's opposite thigh and draws up his knee. The helper brings the casualty's other arm across their chest.
Step three
The helper pulls the casualty towards him until they're resting on their side. Keep the casualty's head in line with their spine.
Step four
The helper adjusts the casualty's top leg and tucks their arm under their cheek. The helper needs to hold the casualty's body in place while you steady the head and neck |
