Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

How to Turn Somone into the Recovery Position

Keeping the Airway Open and the Casualty Safe

Feb 10, 2009 Pam Griffin

The recovery position is an essential first aid skill which can be used to maintain a casualty's airway and keep them in a safe position if you have to go to fetch help.

Once you have established that a casualty is breathing but unconsious (you can do this by carrying out your first aid ABCs) you should consider turning them over into the recovery position, which is a safe position which they are unlikely to roll out of, and will help to keep their airway open.

Recovery Position for Babies

With any children under the age of one year old the easiest way to keep them safe from harm and keep their airway open is to pick them up so they are lying with their chest on your arm with their head tilted downwards.

This position allows the baby to breathe comfortably while preventing him from choking on his tongue and making sure that if he is sick, the vomit will drain out of the mouth and not be inhaled.

Recovery Position for Children and Adults

For anyone over the age of one year old the standard recovery position can be used, as long as there are no other life threatening conditions that should be dealt with first, for example, serious bleeding.

Gently turn the casualty onto his side - it doesn't matter which side. The easiest way to do this is to pull the knee of the far side leg up and use it as a lever to pull them over.
Lift the chin forward to open the airway and adjust his hand under his cheek to support the head.
Check the casualty can't roll forwards or backwards by pulling one knee up to support the body.
Check that he is still breathing.
If the injuries allow, turn him over to the other side after 30 minutes.
Cover him with a coat or blanket to keep them warm.

If you suspect there might be a spinal injury, don't try to move the casualty. Instead, place your hands on either side of his face and gently lift the jaw with your fingertips to open the airway. Take care not to tilt or move the casualty's neck.

To maintain the airway and protect the spine you will have to keep holding the jaw, so if you think you will have to leave the casualty to fetch help, do this first!

Once the Casualty is in the Recovery Position

Call 999 or 112 for an ambulance.

You are safe to leave your casualty in the recovery position while you go for help, but make sure you check that he are still breathing when you return. If your casualty is a baby you can take it with you to the phone.

Monitor and record the casualty's levels of response and breathing until the ambulance arrives.

The copyright of the article How to Turn Somone into the Recovery Position in General Medicine is owned by Pam Griffin. Permission to republish How to Turn Somone into the Recovery Position in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The recovery position will maintain an airway