Recovery position

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The recovery position is used for a casualty who is unconscious but breathing, or for an unconscious person who has foreign material in their airway, or to help clear the airway of water after suspected drowning.

It’s important to get help as quickly as possible for someone who’s unconscious. If another person is available, ask them to phone 000 for an ambulance. If you are alone with the casualty, turn them into the recovery position before phoning for an ambulance.

The recovery position described below is for children over the age of one and adults. Babies should be laid face down over your forearm with their head supported by your hand.

  • Kneel beside the person.
  • Put their arm that’s farthest from you out at right angles to their body.
  • Place their nearer arm across their chest.
  • Bend their nearer leg up at the knee; the other leg should be straight.
  • While supporting their head and neck, roll the person away from you.
  • When they are on their side, keep their top leg bent at the knee, with the knee touching the ground.

person in recovery position

Then tilt the head slightly backwards and downwards to let anything that’s in the airway (such as vomit) drain out, and clear the airway with your fingers.