Recovery Position — Core Skill — Learn | AidNow

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SKILL-128 min read

Recovery Position

Recovery position

Why this matters

An unconscious person lying on their back can choke on vomit or saliva. The recovery position reduces this risk while you wait for ambulance crews. It is not for someone who is not breathing — they need CPR.

Steps

Follow these in order when you need this skill.

Confirm it is appropriate
Use recovery position only when the person is breathing normally and has no suspected serious spine injury requiring you to keep them still. If not breathing normally, start CPR instead.
Kneel beside the person
Make sure their legs are straight. Place the arm nearest you at a right angle, palm up.
Position the far arm
Bring the far arm across the chest and hold the back of their hand against their cheek nearest you.
Lift the far leg
Grab the far knee and pull it up so the foot is flat on the ground.
Roll toward you
Pull the knee toward you to roll the person onto their side. Adjust the top leg so both hip and knee are bent at about 90 degrees for stability.
Open and protect the airway
Tilt the head back slightly to open the airway. Make sure the mouth is facing downward so fluids can drain. Stay with them and check breathing regularly.

Common mistakes

Things that can make the situation worse

Using recovery position when the person is not breathing — they need CPR.
Placing someone on their injured side when you know which side is hurt.
Leaving an unconscious person alone after placing them in recovery position.
Using recovery position when you suspect spinal injury and moving them is not urgent.

Practice

Practice placing a willing partner in the recovery position three times until the steps feel smooth. Each time, check that the mouth points downward and the airway stays open.

Key takeaways

Only for unconscious people who ARE breathing normally.
Keeps airway open and allows drainage.
Stay with the person and monitor breathing until help arrives.
Do not use if you suspect spinal injury unless staying in place is more dangerous.

Comprehension questions(2 — optional, no score)

Question 1

When should you use the recovery position?

Person is not breathing
Person is unconscious but breathing normally
Person has a broken arm
Person is fully awake and talking

See explanation

Answer: Person is unconscious but breathing normally. Recovery position is for unconscious people with normal breathing. Not breathing normally requires CPR.

Question 2

Why is the mouth positioned downward?

To keep them comfortable
So vomit or saliva can drain out
To help them wake up faster
To check their pulse

See explanation

Answer: So vomit or saliva can drain out. Gravity helps fluids drain away from the airway when the mouth faces downward.

Use this skill when…

This skill helps in these emergency situations.

Medical Emergency
They are not waking up

Related skills

More skills in Airway & choking.

Recovery Position

Why this matters

Steps

Confirm it is appropriate

Kneel beside the person

Position the far arm

Lift the far leg

Roll toward you

Open and protect the airway

Common mistakes

Practice

Key takeaways

Use this skill when…

They are not waking up

Related skills

Head Tilt / Chin Lift

Jaw Thrust

Recovery Position

Clearing Visible Airway Obstruction