How to position someone in the recovery position

The recovery position is intended for individuals who are unconscious but still breathing. For infants, the recovery position might vary slightly. After performing first aid and ensuring that the person hasn't suffered any spinal or neck injuries, place them in the recovery position. Following these simple steps could save a life.

Check breathing and consciousness levels. Before placing someone in the recovery position, take a moment to assess their condition. This is a crucial step. You need to check if the person is still breathing and whether they are conscious. Determine if they are in any immediate danger. Try speaking to them to see if they respond. You can assess their breathing by holding your cheek near their nose and mouth to feel for breath.

• If the person is breathing but unconscious or semi-conscious, you may place them in the recovery position.

Check if the person has a spinal injury. If you suspect someone has a spinal injury, do not attempt to change their position until medical professionals arrive. If the person is struggling to breathe and requires airway clearance, gently place your hand on either their right or left cheek and lift their chin upwards. Avoid moving the neck. A person might have a spinal injury if:

• They have suffered a head injury, been hit hard in the back of the head, fallen from a height of 1.5 to 3 meters, or have been unconscious before.
• They report intense pain in their neck or back.
• They are unable to move their back.
• They feel weak, numb, or paralyzed.
• They have a dislocated neck or back.
• They have no sensation in their limbs, bladder, or intestines.

Position the arms and legs correctly. Once you are certain it’s safe to place someone in the recovery position, kneel beside them to adjust their arms. First, position their arm near you so that their elbow points toward you. The palm should face upwards in front of their head.

• Next, place the other arm across their chest, with the back of their hand facing their cheek.
• After positioning their arms, assist in extending their knees so their legs lie flat on the floor.

Turn the person toward you. After positioning the arms and legs, gently roll the person towards you. Lift and pull their knee towards you, then carefully lower it. Remember that the hand positioned under their head must stay in place to protect their head. Perform this step gently and cautiously to prevent the head from hitting the ground.

• If the arm is positioned correctly, the person won’t change their position. Any change in position could restrict the chest and make breathing difficult.
• Another way to turn the person is to grip their hips with a belt, waistband, or pocket, and pull. You should place your other hand on their shoulder to maintain balance.

Clear the airway. After turning the person into a safe position for their head, proceed with clearing the airway. Gently help the person lift their chin and tilt their head back, then check if the airway is blocked.

• Continue monitoring their pulse and breathing while awaiting help.
• Cover the person with a blanket or jacket to keep them warm.

Position the infant in an inverted position on your hands. The recovery position for infants or children under 1 year old differs slightly. Start by gently placing the infant in your hands, slightly tilting them backward. The infant's head should be positioned lower than their body.

• Avoid tilting the body and head more than 5 degrees. This helps prevent vomiting or airway obstruction and supports drainage.

Support the head and neck. When holding the infant in your hands, use your other hand to support the head and neck. For example, if you're holding the infant in your left hand, place your right hand behind to support the head and neck.

Ensure the infant's nose and mouth are clear. While supporting the infant's head, be careful not to accidentally block their nose or mouth with your fingers. Pay attention to the placement of your fingers and check to ensure the infant can breathe.

Wait for assistance. After placing the infant in the recovery position, monitor their breathing and wait for the ambulance to arrive. If the infant suddenly stops breathing, you may need to perform CPR.

• One important thing to remember is that if you suspect the person needing help has a spinal or neck injury, do not attempt to move them.