Recovery position

= a side-lying position with emphasis on keeping the airway open

When especially should you use the recovery position?

• the patient is unresponsive, breathes normally and does not show signs of trauma
• you place the patient in the recovery position if:
  • you have to leave him/her alone (e.g. you are going for the EMS or you have to provide the first aid to other patients)
  • the patient is at the risk of aspirating vomits or blood into lungs - in this case, the recovery position enables fluids to flow out through the patient's mouth and thus minimises the risk of aspiration

How to place the patient in the recovery position?

• turn the patient on his/her side and fix them in this position (it requires the right positioning of the patient's upper limbs)
• kneel beside the unresponsive patient
• make sure that both legs are straight
• place the arm nearest to you out at right angles to the body with the hand palm uppermost
• bring the far arm across the chest
• hold the back of the hand against the patient's cheek
• with your other hand, grasp the far leg just above the knee and pull it up and keep the foot on the ground
• pull on the far leg and arm to roll the patient towards you onto their side
• adjust the upper leg so that both hip and knee are bent at right angles
• lean the head on the back of the hand
• tilt the patient's head back!!!
• after having placed the patient in the recovery position, check for the breathing

If, after having placed the patient in the recovery position, you have any doubt whether he/she breathes, you have to adjust the position or turn the patient face up, reopen the airway and recheck them for breathing, if needed start CPR with the chest compressions.

What are the risks and pitfalls of the recovery position?

• it can give a false impression that the patient is safe (a false impression that the patient looks stabilised) - it is crucial to tilt the patient's head correctly and check breathing regularly
• the position is not appropriate in the case of spinal injury or fractures of long bones and pelvis

You will learn about other techniques for manipulation with the patient in Unit 5.