🚑 Recovery Position First Aid: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the Recovery Position: A Life-Saving Skill
The recovery position is one of the most crucial first aid techniques every person should know. When someone is unconscious but breathing, placing them in the recovery position can literally save their life by preventing choking and maintaining an open airway.
At RupIELTS Institute, we believe in empowering our community with essential life skills. While we're known for our IELTS preparation and testing services in Surrey, BC and Edmonton, AB, we also recognize the importance of first aid knowledge for everyone.
⚠️ When to Use the Recovery Position
Use the recovery position when:
- The person is unconscious
- The person is breathing normally
- You do NOT suspect a spinal injury
DO NOT use the recovery position if:
- The person is not breathing (start CPR immediately)
- You suspect spinal or neck injury
- The person is choking and conscious
Why is the Recovery Position Important?
When a person is unconscious, they lose control of their muscles, including those that keep the airway open. The recovery position serves several critical purposes:
- Keeps the Airway Open: The position uses gravity to keep the tongue from blocking the throat
- Prevents Choking: Any fluids (vomit, blood, saliva) can drain out of the mouth instead of being inhaled
- Maintains Breathing: The chest can expand freely for proper breathing
- Stable Position: Prevents the person from rolling onto their back
- Allows Monitoring: You can easily check breathing and consciousness while waiting for help
Step-by-Step: How to Place Someone in the Recovery Position
Follow these steps carefully to safely position an unconscious but breathing person:
Step 1: Ensure Safety and Call for Help
Before touching the person, make sure the area is safe. Call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or have someone else call.
- Check for danger (traffic, fire, electrical hazards)
- Wear gloves if available
- Shout for help
- Call emergency services
Step 2: Kneel Beside the Person
Position yourself at the person's side, at the level of their chest. Make sure the person is lying on their back on a firm, flat surface.
- Remove glasses if they're wearing any
- Remove any bulky items from pockets
- Straighten both legs
Step 3: Position the Near Arm
Take the arm nearest to you and place it at a right angle to their body, with the elbow bent and palm facing up.
- Move the arm gently
- Create an "L" shape with the arm
- This arm will help stabilize the position
Step 4: Position the Far Arm
Take their far arm (the one furthest from you) and bring it across their chest. Place the back of their hand against their near cheek and hold it there.
- Support their hand against their cheek
- This protects the head during rolling
- Keep holding the hand throughout the roll
Step 5: Bend the Far Leg
With your other hand, grasp the far leg just above the knee and pull it up so the foot is flat on the ground, with the knee bent.
- Keep the foot flat on the ground
- The bent leg will help you roll the person
- The near leg should remain straight
Step 6: Roll the Person Onto Their Side
Keeping their hand pressed against their cheek, pull on the far knee to roll the person toward you onto their side.
- Roll them gently but firmly
- Protect their head as they roll
- Roll them all the way onto their side
Step 7: Adjust the Position
Once on their side, make final adjustments to ensure the position is stable and the airway is open.
- Tilt the head back slightly to keep airway open
- Adjust the hand under the cheek to keep head supported
- Make sure the bent knee is at a right angle to prevent rolling
- Check that the chest can expand freely for breathing
Step 8: Monitor and Wait for Help
Stay with the person and continuously monitor their breathing until emergency services arrive.
- Check breathing every minute
- If they stop breathing, roll them onto their back and start CPR
- If they need to be in the position for more than 30 minutes, turn them to the other side
- Keep them warm with a blanket if available
How to Turn a Person from Face-Down (Prone) to Face-Up (Supine)
If you find someone lying face-down and unconscious, you need to turn them face-up first to check breathing and assess their condition. Here's how to do it safely:
⚠️ Important: Spinal Injury Precaution
If you suspect the person has a spinal injury (from a fall, vehicle accident, or diving incident), DO NOT move them unless absolutely necessary. Call emergency services immediately and wait for professional help.
Step-by-Step: Face-Down to Face-Up Turn
Step 1: Assess the Situation
Before moving the person, quickly assess:
- Is the area safe?
- Do they have any obvious injuries?
- Could there be a spinal injury?
- Are they breathing? (Listen near their back)
Step 2: Position Yourself
Kneel beside the person at the level of their chest or shoulders. You'll need room to roll them toward you.
- Choose the side with more space
- Make sure nothing will obstruct the roll
- Get another person to help if available
Step 3: Straighten the Arms
Gently move the person's arms to their sides, close to their body. If one arm is bent under them, carefully straighten it.
- Be gentle to avoid injury
- Move both arms alongside their body
- This prevents arms from getting trapped during the roll
Step 4: Support the Head and Neck
Place one hand on the far shoulder and your other hand on the far hip. If you have help, one person should support the head and neck while another controls the body.
- Critical: Keep the head, neck, and spine in alignment
- Support the head throughout the entire roll
- Move the body as one unit
Step 5: Roll Toward You (Log Roll Technique)
Using the "log roll" technique, roll the person toward you as one complete unit, keeping the spine straight.
- Pull gently but firmly on the far shoulder and hip
- Keep the head aligned with the spine
- Roll them smoothly in one motion
- The body should roll as a unit - no twisting
Step 6: Position on Back
Complete the roll until the person is lying on their back. Ensure their head is supported and positioned neutrally.
- Lay them flat on their back
- Ensure airway is not obstructed
- Check for breathing immediately
Step 7: Check Breathing and Proceed
Now that the person is face-up, immediately check if they are breathing:
- If breathing normally: Place in recovery position (as described above)
- If not breathing: Begin CPR immediately
- If breathing abnormally: Call 911 and monitor closely
🚨 Critical Reminder
If you suspect a spinal injury:
- Only move the person if their life is in immediate danger (fire, drowning, etc.)
- Get multiple people to help if possible
- Use the log roll technique to minimize spine movement
- Ideally, wait for trained emergency responders
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When performing the recovery position, avoid these common errors:
- ✗ Moving someone with suspected spinal injury: Only move if life is in immediate danger
- ✗ Not monitoring continuously: Keep checking breathing every minute
- ✗ Forgetting to tilt the head back: The airway must remain open
- ✗ Leaving them on their back: An unconscious person on their back can choke
- ✗ Using excessive force: Be gentle but firm when positioning
- ✗ Not calling for help first: Always call emergency services before moving the person
- ✗ Using recovery position when not breathing: If they're not breathing, start CPR, don't use recovery position
Special Situations and Considerations
👶 Infants and Children
The recovery position for infants and young children is modified:
- For infants under 1 year: cradle them in your arms in a head-down position
- For children: use the same technique but be more gentle
- Support the head carefully as children have proportionally larger heads
🤰 Pregnant Women
If the person is obviously pregnant:
- Position them on their LEFT side (not right) to avoid compressing major blood vessels
- Use the same recovery position technique
- This is especially important in late pregnancy
🦽 Suspected Spinal Injury
If you suspect spinal injury from falls, car accidents, or diving:
- DO NOT move them unless absolutely necessary
- Keep the head, neck, and spine aligned
- Have someone stabilize the head while waiting for help
- Only move if there's immediate danger (fire, drowning)
🥶 Cold Environments
In cold weather or environments:
- Place insulation (blanket, coat) under the person if possible
- Cover them with blankets to prevent hypothermia
- Still maintain proper recovery position
What to Do While Waiting for Emergency Services
Once the person is in the recovery position, here's what you should do until help arrives:
✓ Continuous Monitoring
- Check breathing every 60 seconds
- Look for chest rise and fall
- Listen for breathing sounds
- Feel for breath on your cheek
✓ Maintain Body Temperature
- Cover them with a blanket or jacket
- Remove any wet clothing if safe to do so
- Don't overheat them
✓ Keep Talking
- Talk to them calmly even if they're unconscious
- Tell them help is coming
- They may be able to hear you
✓ Document Information
- Note the time they became unconscious
- Remember any symptoms they showed
- Identify any medications or medical tags
- This information helps paramedics
✓ Be Ready to Act
- If they stop breathing, roll them onto their back and start CPR
- If they vomit, ensure it drains from their mouth
- If they start to wake up, keep them still and calm
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long can someone stay in the recovery position?
A: A person can remain in the recovery position safely for extended periods. However, if they need to stay in this position for more than 30 minutes, turn them to the opposite side to prevent pressure sores and ensure circulation.
Q: What if the person wakes up while in recovery position?
A: If they regain consciousness, keep them still and lying down. Don't let them get up suddenly. Reassure them, explain what happened, and wait for emergency services to arrive for proper assessment.
Q: Can I put someone in recovery position if they're breathing but face-down?
A: First, you need to carefully turn them face-up using the log roll technique (as described earlier) to properly assess breathing and condition, then place them in the recovery position on their side.
Q: Should I give them water or food?
A: NO. Never give an unconscious person anything to eat or drink. They cannot swallow properly and could choke. Wait for them to fully regain consciousness and for medical professionals to assess them.
Q: What's the difference between recovery position and CPR position?
A: Recovery position is for unconscious people who ARE breathing normally. CPR position (on their back) is for people who are NOT breathing or not breathing normally. Never use recovery position on someone who needs CPR.
Q: Can I leave them alone once they're in recovery position?
A: NO. Never leave an unconscious person alone. Stay with them, monitor their breathing continuously, and be ready to start CPR if they stop breathing.
📍 Visit Our Locations
RupIELTS Institute serves the community with locations in Surrey, BC and Edmonton, AB. Contact us for first aid training inquiries or any of our educational services.
🏢 Surrey, British Columbia
Address:
112 - 8232 120 Street
Surrey, BC V3W 3N4
Phone: 604-825-8882
Email: rupielts@outlook.com
Serving Surrey, Delta, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Langley, and surrounding areas
🏢 Edmonton, Alberta
Address:
15736 100 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T5P 0L1
Phone: 604-825-0177
Email: rupielts@outlook.com
Serving Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and surrounding areas
Conclusion: Be Prepared to Save a Life
The recovery position is a fundamental first aid skill that everyone should know. Whether you're at home, work, or in public, being able to properly position an unconscious but breathing person can prevent serious complications and save lives.
Key takeaways to remember:
- Always call emergency services first
- Only use recovery position if the person is unconscious but breathing
- Never move someone with a suspected spinal injury unless absolutely necessary
- When turning someone from face-down to face-up, use the log roll technique
- Monitor breathing continuously while waiting for help
- Be prepared to start CPR if they stop breathing
Remember, reading about first aid is valuable, but hands-on training is essential. We strongly encourage everyone to take a certified first aid and CPR course where you can practice these techniques with proper guidance.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional first aid training. Always call emergency services in a medical emergency. The techniques described should be learned through certified first aid courses with hands-on practice.
📢 Share This Life-Saving Information
Help others learn this vital skill by sharing this guide with your family and friends.
📚 Related Articles
CPR Basics: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to perform CPR correctly and save lives in cardiac emergencies.
Choking First Aid for Adults
Master the Heimlich maneuver and save someone from choking.
Basic First Aid Kit Essentials
What every home and car first aid kit should contain.
Learn More at RupIELTS Surrey
Visit our Surrey location for personalized guidance and expert training
