Why is recovery position important

St John Ambulance Australia. Resuscitation revised February In: eTG complete. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; Jul. Recovery position. A quick guide to first aid. In: Dyson, S, editor. Australian first aid.

Canberra: St John Ambulance Australia; Skip to content. Kneel beside the person. Place their nearer arm across their chest. Bend their nearer leg up at the knee; the other leg should be straight. While supporting their head and neck, roll the person away from you.

When they are on their side, keep their top leg bent at the knee, with the knee touching the ground. Author: myDr. Brain Health Images April 10, ,. Thyroid gland and thyroid hormones Health Images April 5, ,. Thyroid nodules Health Images December 11, ,. Chronic kidney disease Health Images March 22, ,. Kidneys and how they work Health Images March 20, ,. Previous article Angina: treating symptoms and emergency treatment.

The recovery position in first aid training is the way that you pose a person to keep their airway open and prevent vomit or other fluid from choking them when they are unconscious. Note that if someone has experienced a cardiac arrest, is unconscious and not breathing, or breathing abnormally, you do not use the recovery position. In this case, lay them flat on their back and begin CPR. If the person is still breathing with a strong heartbeat, use the recovery position instead if CPR.

You should use the recovery position if someone is unconscious but still breathing normally and there are no other life-threatening conditions. For example, if someone passed out from being intoxicated, putting them in the recovery position is a good idea. Whether the person passes out from drinking alcohol or using drugs, using the recovery position until emergency services arrive is the best way to proceed.

Because if they continue to lie on their back, they could vomit and choke. As long as the person is not suffering from any life-threatening injury and does not need CPR, the recovery position is the best way to maintain a clear airway until emergency services arrive. You already know that someone who needs CPR should not be put into the recovery position. A major issue that needs to be addressed, though, is other situations where using the recovery position could cause further harm.

Instead, call emergency services and wait for them to arrive. This is the best possible thing you could do because moving them risks further injury. If you must open the airway of an unconscious person who has suffered these injuries, follow these steps:.

Though it may be difficult to know for sure, you should consider the possibility of a spinal injury if the person:. Cost Free. Putting someone in the recovery position If a person is unconscious, or non-responsive but breathing, they should be placed in the recovery position while waiting for help to arrive see How to help someone who has taken a drug.

To place someone in the recovery position: 1. Kneel beside the person. Straighten their arms and legs. Fold the arm closest to you over their chest. Place the other arm at a right angle to their body. Get the leg closest to you and bend the knee. Adjust the upper leg, so both the hip and knee are bent at right angles. Ensure the person is steady and cannot roll. Tilt the head back and make sure the airways are clear and open. Print friendly version Subscribe to get updates Share this.

I found this resource helpful. View related resources. How to help someone who has taken a drug Be prepared for the unpredictable nature of drugs: Learn what to look for and how to help in a drug-related emergency.