How to Put an Injured Person in the Recovery Position During First Aid
If you are the only rescuer of an unconscious person and have to leave for whatever reason, put the person in the recovery position in case he or she vomits while you are away.
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Instructions
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Establish that the person is breathing, has a pulse, and is not bleeding severely (see "How to Conduct a Primary Survey of an Injured Person During First Aid").
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Make every effort to avoid leaving the injured person alone. If you must leave the scene - for example, to find others to assist you - carry out the following steps.
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Roll the person onto his or her side, being extremely careful not to move the head or neck or to twist the spine in any way.
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Straighten out the arm that is closer to the ground, as if the person were pointing directly upward.
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Place the injured person's head on this arm, with the mouth angled downward. This ensures that he or she won't choke on any vomit.
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Bend the knee of the leg that is further from the ground and place the knee against the ground. This helps to stabilize the person.
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Return to the scene as soon as possible.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for information on first aid classes near you.
Contact the Wilderness Medicine Institute or the National Outdoor Leadership School for information on wilderness medicine courses and books.
Always assume a spinal cord injury in any accident victim, and move the person only if absolutely necessary (see "How to Rule Out a Spinal Cord Injury During First Aid" and "How to Move a Person With a Spinal Injury During First Aid").
Some diseases, such as AIDS and hepatitis B, are transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. To minimize the risk of infection from oozing or spurting fluids, wear latex gloves and plastic goggles.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
