Essential Skill: The Recovery Position
Knowing how to place an unconscious but breathing person in the recovery position can save a life. It keeps their airway clear and prevents choking.
CRITICAL: What if they are Face Down?
If you find a casualty lying face down (prone) and they are unconscious, you must turn them onto their back to check their breathing and airway. Do not leave them face down.
Step 1: Protect the Head
Kneel beside the person. Take their arm that is closest to you and straighten it carefully above their head.
Why? This arm will act as a "pillow" for their head when you roll them, protecting their neck.
Step 2: The Grip
Reach across the person. Place one hand on their far shoulder and your other hand on their far hip.
Step 3: The Roll
Gently roll the person towards you as a single unit (like a log). Avoid twisting their back.
Step 4: Rest & Check
Roll them until they are resting on their back. Their head should have rolled onto the arm you straightened earlier. Now, immediately check for breathing.
Step-by-Step: Placing in Recovery Position
Once the person is on their back and you have confirmed they are breathing, follow these steps.
1. The "Hello" Arm
Kneel beside them. Take the arm closest to you and place it at a right angle to their body (like they are waving hello).
2. Hand to Cheek
Bring the *other* arm across their chest. Place the back of their hand against their cheek nearest to you, and hold it there.
3. Knee Up
With your other hand, grab the far leg just above the knee and pull it up, keeping the foot flat on the ground.
4. The Roll
Keep their hand pressed to their cheek. Pull on the bent leg to roll them towards you onto their side.
Final Step: Open Airway
Tilt their head back gently to ensure the airway remains open. Adjust the upper leg so the hip and knee are at right angles (to prevent them rolling onto their face).
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