It has been a key part of first aid manuals for decades, but the recovery position should no longer be used on casualties after an accident, new research suggests.
The unconscious patient should be placed in the left lateral (recovery) position in order to keep the airway patent and to minimize the risk of aspiration of gastric contents.
To place someone in the recovery position:
- Kneel beside the person.
- Straighten their arms and legs.
- Fold the arm closest to you over their chest.
- Place the other arm at a right angle to their body.
- Get the leg closest to you and bend the knee.
Tilt their head gently back to be sure their airway is open. If an unconscious person is not breathing, it may be necessary to move them carefully onto their back, while protecting their neck, so that they can receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Call 911 before administering CPR.
The position is called the "HAINES modified recovery position." HAINES is an acronym for High Arm IN Endangered Spine. There is less neck movement (and less degree of lateral angulation) than when the lateral recovery position is used, and, therefore, HAINES use carries less risk of spinal-cord damage.
Patients should be transported to a hospital as quickly, but as passively, as possible. They should be placed on their left side in the recovery position to prevent aspiration of vomit. Similarly, you may ask, what do you do if a person is unresponsive but breathing? Unresponsive and not breathing.
Call or tell someone to call 911. Check the person's airway, breathing, and pulse frequently. If necessary, begin CPR. If the person is breathing and lying on their back, and you do not think there is a spinal injury, carefully roll the person toward you onto their side.
If you're well-trained and confident in your ability, check to see if there is a pulse and breathing. If there is no breathing or a pulse within 10 seconds, begin chest compressions. Start CPR with 30 chest compressions before giving two rescue breaths.
This would be your clue that CPR was not needed. CPR is intended only for someone whose heart and breathing has stopped. If the victim moves or pushes you away, you should stop CPR. What is the ratio of 2-person CPR?
This is especially true for unconscious pregnant women, once turned on to their left side, pressure is relieved on the inferior vena cava, and venous return is not restricted. The cause of unconsciousness can be any reason from trauma to intoxication from alcohol.
After every 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 a minute, give 2 breaths. Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.
If you do CPR incorrectly you can injure the victim. If you perform CPR in the way that you were taught in class, you will reduce the risk of problems. However, some problems, such as broken ribs in the victim, may happen even if you do CPR the right way.
NO adverse effects have been reported. Based on the available evidence, it appears that the fear of doing harm by giving chest compressions to some who has no signs of life, but has a beating heart, is unfounded. The guidelines now recommend that full CPR be given to all those requiring resuscitation.
Do not place a casualty in the recovery position if you suspect a spinal injury or major head injury. The procedure could have the potential to make these type of injuries worst. When encountering a blocked airway the casualty will still need to be moved, regardless of any type of injury.
Once you begin CPR, do not stop except in one of these situations:
- You see an obvious sign of life, such as breathing.
- An AED is available and ready to use.
- Another trained responder or EMS personnel take over.
- You are too exhausted to continue.
- The scene becomes unsafe.
According to Lundsgaard, medical personnel usually stop performing CPR when the patient shows signs of consciousness. “Normally, chest compressions are stopped once the patient shows signs of life or spontaneous breathing.
A 2019 study published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine supports the idea that resting your hands on your knees is the better position when it comes to recovery.
What to do if an adult is choking
- Determine the severity. Ask, “Are you choking?” before performing any first aid.
- Call 911. Ask someone to call 911 immediately.
- Begin back blows.
- Begin Heimlich maneuver or abdominal thrusts.
- Repeat 5-and-5.
- Begin CPR.
- Begin chest compressions.
- Give two rescue breaths.
The Recovery Position: 8 Simple Steps.
Move them onto their side and tilt their head back.Putting them in this position with their head back helps keep their airway open. It ensures their tongue falls forward and blood and vomit drain out. It is sometimes called the “recovery position”.
When a casualty is unconscious, their muscles become relaxed, including their swallowing muscles, and if the casualty is not placed on their side, they can choke on their own fluids. If an unconscious casualty is left on their back, their tongue may fall back and block the airway.
Lie down or sit down.To reduce the chance of fainting again, don't get up too quickly. Place your head between your knees if you sit down.
