Page 171 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

FIRST AID 169

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE

Recovery position (adults and aligned, and will prevent him or her from choking on the
children over 1 year) tongue or on vomit. It will also keep the airway open and
If the person is unconscious but still breathing, place him or clear. The technique is the same for children over 1 as for
her in the recovery position, as shown below. This position adults. (If the victim is found lying on his or her side or
will keep the body stable, with the head and spine front, you can adapt these steps as necessary.)

Kneel beside the victim. Remove any Lay the back of the
spectacles, and any bulky objects, hand against the face
1 such as cell phones or keys, from his
or her pockets.

If the victim is on his
or her back, place the
2 arm nearer to you at right
angles to the body, with the
elbow bent and the palm upward.
Bring the farther hand across the
chest and hold this hand against
the cheek. Grasp the thigh
Grasp the lower thigh,
farther from you and pull
just behind the knee
it so that the victim
rolls toward you onto
his or her side.

Once the victim is lying on his or her
side, adjust the upper leg so that the
3 hip and knee are bent at right
angles. The knee will then support
the body. Tilt the head back slightly
to keep the airway open, and adjust
Let the knee the hand under the cheek so that the
and foot rest
on the ground head is supported in this position.

Recovery position (babies)
● For an unconscious but breathing baby over 1 year,
open the airway, then follow the steps described above
Hold the
to place him or her in the recovery position. baby’s head
● For an unconscious but breathing baby under 1 year, lower than Support the
the body lower body
open the airway and cradle him or her in your arms with securely
the head downward. This position will keep the baby’s
airway open and allow fluids to drain from the mouth.