11/13/24, 7\:27 PM Guide | Recovery position

Recovery position

Table of contents

Introduction

The recovery position is designed to reduce the risk of aspiration in the unconscious but breathing casualty. It allows for
postural drainage of any liquid inside the mouth and reduces the risk of the tongue occluding the airway. The recovery position
is a component of the larger basic life support (BLS) algorithm and as such many of the initial steps are similar.
Whilst there is little evidence of either bene
guidelines from the Resus Council UK.
1,2
This OSCE guide aims to provide an overview of how to place a patient in the recovery position.

Check for danger

To ensure the area around the casualty is safe, check for things that could injure you or the casualty.
Continue to check the scene for safety as there may be dangers which only become apparent as you get closer to the casualty.

Check for a response

Kneel next to the casualty and establish if they are conscious by gently shake their shoulders whilst asking loudly “ A r e y o u
a l r i g h t ?”
.
If they respond you should try to establish if they need medical attention.
If they do not respond you need to shout for help and establish if they are breathing. Seeking assistance is absolutely
essential, as you will not be able to e

Open airway & check breathing

Position the patient on their back.
Perform a head-tilt chin-lift manoeuvre by placing one hand on the casualty’s forehead and the other on the chin to tilt their
head back.
Check for breathing by placing your ear next to the casualty’s mouth. Listen for breathing, look for the chest rising and feel for
breath on your cheek for 10 seconds. It is important you are checking for normal breathing, often casualties can make rasping
sounds before their heart stops known as agonal breathing. If agonal breathing is present you should commence CPR (see our
basic life support guide).

Place in the recovery position

1. Before placing the casualty in the recovery position, it is important to ensure there is nothing on the ground that could hurt
them. You should also check there is nothing in their pockets that could hurt them when they are rolled onto their side. If the
patient is wearing glasses, these should also be removed.
2. With the patient on their back, place the arm nearest to you in a right angle at the shoulder joint (90º abduction) and the
elbow joint (90º
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3. Lift the casualty’s hand that is furthest away from you and place the dorsum of the hand against the casualty’s cheek on the
side closest to you to cushion their head.
4. Grasp the underside of the casualty’s knee furthest away from you and lift it up.
5. Whilst holding the casualty’s hand that is against their cheek, use your other hand underneath their knee to gently roll them
towards you.
6. Once they are on their side, ensure the knee and hip joints of the leg you used to roll them are
. This ensures the
casualty does not roll back onto their back.
With the patient on their back, place the arm nearest to you in a right angle at the shoulder and the elbow joint

Ensure the position is safe

Once the casualty is in the recovery position it is vitally important to check their breathing again. Perform the same head-tilt
chin-lift manoeuvre as you did previously and check they are breathing normally for 10 seconds, making sure to look, listen and
feel for breathing.
You should then call an ambulance and explain the casualty’s condition and your location.
Continue to check for breathing every minute using the same technique. If the casualty stops breathing at any point, roll them
onto their back and commence CPR.
To prevent pressure sores, you should roll the casualty onto their other side every 15 minutes. Do this by rolling them onto their
back gently and performing the same steps as above from the other side of the casualty.

References

1. Handley Anthony J.Should we still be teaching the recovery position? Resuscitation. Available from\: [LINK].
2. Resuscitation Council (UK). Resuscitation Guidelines 2015. Authors\: Carl Gwinnutt, Robin Davies, Jasmeet Soar. Accessed May
10th 2020. Available from\: [LINK].
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