(17216) *The Recovery Position 2024 – child video

The Unconscious Casualty

When a person is unconscious, their muscles relax and the body's natural reflexes such as coughing and gagging may not function properly; if the casualty is lying on their back, there are a number of hazards that can block the airway, including:

The tongue - when the tongue relaxes it can fall back toward the throat and block the airway.

Fluids  - such as vomit and blood.

Regurgitation - when the muscle at the top of the stomach relaxes a slow, silent passive flow of stomach contents can enter the airway which is then inhaled into the lungs.

Placing an unconscious casualty in the recovery position protects the airway from these hazards. It will:

• Maintain a clear airway
• Facilitate drainage
• Reduce the risks of inhaling foreign material

When to use the recovery position

The recovery position should be used when someone is unresponsive or has a decreased level of responsiveness and:

• Has no evidence of serious physical injury
• Is breathing normally
• Does NOT need CPR

If the casualty has a traumatic injury, they should be left in the position found, ideally flat with the airway open. Keep them still and continually monitor Airway and Breathing.

You should only use the recovery position if their airway is at risk, for example when:

• There are fluids such as vomit or blood in the airway
• You are unable to maintain an open airway
• You have to leave them to get help

Always turn the casualty onto their left side if possible. This is particularly important for an unconscious casualty who is heavily pregnant as it prevents the baby from compressing one of the main blood vessels in the mother's abdomen.

Regularly turn the unconscious child or infant over onto their opposite side to prevent pressure injuries whilst in the recovery position (i.e. every 30 minutes).