Why do you place the patient in Recovery position?

The recovery position is a lateral position used for an unconscious person that is breathing to prevent choking from the tongue falling backwards.

* The patient is lying on their side, with their head tilted back.

* Their bottom arm is under their head, with their hand supporting the head.

* Their top arm is folded over their chest, with their hand holding their opposite shoulder.

* The top leg is bent and rests over the bottom leg.

To place a patient in recovery position:

1. Kneel beside the person.

2. Place the arm that is nearest to you across their chest, with the back of that hand against the cheek nearest to you.

3. Grasp the far arm and pull it across the person’s chest. Hold the hand against their other cheek.

4. Keeping the person’s head tilted back, use your free hand to press the ear that is facing upwards onto the surface they are lying on.

5. Roll the whole body toward you, making sure to keep the head tilted well back.

6. If the person vomits, turn their head to one side to allow it to drain away from the airway.