Guide · First aid

The recovery position

Use the recovery position for someone who is unresponsive but breathing normally. It keeps the airway open and lets vomit or fluid drain out of the mouth. Call your local emergency number (112 in Europe and many other countries, 911 in North America) before or straight after you position them.

Before you start

• Check they really are breathing normally. If they are not, start CPR instead.
• Take off their glasses and remove bulky objects from their pockets.
• Kneel at their side.

How to do it

1. Lay them on their back with their legs straight.
2. Place the arm nearest you out at a right angle to the body, elbow bent, palm facing up.
3. Bring the far arm across the chest and hold the back of that hand against the cheek nearest you. Keep holding it there.
4. With your other hand, lift the far knee so the leg is bent and the foot flat on the ground.
5. Pull on the bent knee to roll them towards you onto their side. Their hand stays under their cheek, supporting the head.
6. Adjust the top leg so the hip and knee are both at right angles. This stops them rolling onto their front.
7. Tilt the head back gently and lift the chin so the airway stays open. Make sure the mouth points slightly downwards.

While you wait

• Check their breathing every minute or so. If it stops or becomes abnormal, roll them onto their back and start CPR.
• Keep them warm with a coat or blanket, and put something under them if the ground is cold or wet.
• If they stay in this position for more than 30 minutes, gently roll them onto the other side to protect the arm underneath.

Special situations

• Possible neck or back injury: if they are breathing and the airway is clear, you can leave them on their back with the head held still. If they vomit or the airway is at risk, roll them onto their side keeping the head, neck and body in line, ideally with helpers.
• Pregnant women: put them on their left side to take weight off the large blood vessels.
• Babies under one: hold them in your arms with the head tilted slightly downwards, so the tongue can't block the throat and fluid can drain.

This guide does not replace a first-aid course. A few hours of hands-on practice will make you far more confident when it matters.

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