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Recovery position

Recovery Position

An unconscious individual is always at risk of the airway becoming blocked either by their tongue, stomach contents or even blood.

Therefore, to try and reduce these risks the most safest place to place these individuals is in the recovery position. This position keeps the airway open and allows fluids drain from the mouth.

The following steps are required to place someone into recovery position:

• Kneel beside the individual
• Remove glasses or any bulky objects from their pockets
• Make sure their airway is open by lifting the chin and tilting the head back
• Ensure that both of the individual's legs are straight
• Then place the arm that is nearest to you at a right angle with the their body
• Make sure their elbow is bent and palm is facing upwards
• Bring the arm furthest away from you across the chest and hold the back of the hand against the cheek nearest you
• With your other hand, grab the far away leg above the knee and pull it up but keep the foot flat on the ground
• Ensuring that the individual's hand is pressed against their cheek, pull the far away leg and roll them towards you onto their side
• Adjust the upper leg so that the hip and leg are both bent at right angles
• Tilt their head back so that the airway is still open
• After this call for emergency help if this has not already been done
• Ensure that you check breathing regularly
• Check the lower arm of the individual for any loss of colour or warmth
• If the hand gets cold or turns white or blue then gently move it until it becomes warm again