Proper Technique and Importance of Recovery Position

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Why Do We Place Someone In a Recovery Position?
3. When to Place Someone in the Recovery Position
4. Is the Recovery Position Left or Right?
5. Steps to Place Someone in the Recovery Position
6. EMT and the Recovery Position
7. Children And Their Recovery Position
8. Final thoughts

Introduction

The recovery position is a technique used in first aid/CPR used to keep the airway open and prevent choking under situations where people are unconscious. According to a study, placing a person in the recovery position can improve the chances of survival by 18.5%.  It is a life-saving measure that can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications for someone who is unconscious but breathing. The primary goal of the position is to maintain a clear airway and prevent aspiration, which is the inhalation of vomit or other fluids into the lungs.

Why Do We Place Someone In a Recovery Position?

When a person is injured, we place them in a recovery position to prevent further complications. Other reasons why placing someone in recovery position in case of injury is crucial are:

• Keeps Airway Clear: The tongue can fall back and block the throat of a person who is unconscious, thus, making it difficult for them to breathe. The recovery position helps keep the airway open by positioning the person in a way that prevents the tongue from causing an obstruction.
• Reduces Choking Risk: Placing an unconscious person who might vomit in this position allows the vomit to drain out of the mouth, preventing inhalation and reducing the risk of choking.
• Prevents Aspiration: Vomit or other fluids inhaled into the lungs can lead to aspiration, which can cause severe respiratory problems or infections. The recovery position minimizes this risk by facilitating fluid drainage.

When to Place Someone in the Recovery Position

Recovery position is a vital tool for safety until medical help arrives. A patient should be placed in a recovery position when they are unconscious. This position helps to keep the airway clear and prevents choking on vomit or fluids. It is also essential for stabilizing the patient until emergency services can take over.

Seizures

A person may be disoriented and unconscious after a seizure. Placing them in the recovery position can help ensure their airway remains open and clear, preventing choking if they vomit during or after the seizure. It’s important to wait until the seizure has stopped before moving the person into the recovery position. During the seizure, it’s best to protect the person’s head and keep them from injuring themselves by removing any nearby objects.

Traumatic Injuries

In cases of traumatic injuries, such as head injuries or severe accidents, the position can be crucial. It helps maintain an open airway and reduces the risk of aspiration, especially if the injured person is bleeding from the mouth or vomiting. However, care must be taken to avoid further injury, especially if there is a suspected spinal injury. In such cases, it’s important to immobilize the spine and seek immediate medical assistance while ensuring the airway remains open.

Intoxication or Drug Overdose

What body position should be used for a person at risk for vomiting? Intoxication from alcohol or a drug overdose can lead to unconsciousness and an increased risk of vomiting. Placing the person in the recovery position helps prevent choking and ensures their airway remains clear. This is particularly important because people who are intoxicated or have overdosed may have a depressed gag reflex, making them more susceptible to aspiration.

Cardiac Arrest

After a person is resuscitated from cardiac arrest and starts breathing again, placing them in the recovery position helps keep their airway clear of obstructions. This is a crucial step in post-resuscitation care, as it helps ensure that the person remains stable until they can receive further medical treatment. The person when placed comfortably has a lesser risk of further complications. 

In all these situations, this position is a simple yet effective measure to ensure that the airway remains clear and the person is safe while waiting for emergency medical assistance. Proper training and knowledge of when and how to use the recovery position can make a significant difference in the outcome of an emergency situation.

Is the Recovery Position Left or Right?

The left recumbent position is the ideal position based on anatomical and physiological benefits. The right recumbent position is considered only in certain special cases. Placing someone on their left side can help to reduce the risk of aspiration and improve circulation. The most important factor is that you should make sure the airway remains open.

Left Lateral Recumbent Position

The preferred side for placing an unconscious person in the recovery position is the left recumbent position. This side is preferred  based on many anatomical and physiological benefits that help ensure the safety and well-being of the person.

The reasons why the left side recovery position is preferred include:

• Stomach Drainage: Anatomically, the human stomach is positioned to favor drainage on the left side. Risk of aspiration is reduced when the person is placed on the left side as it ensures that vomit or fluids can drain out of the mouth more easily
• Heart Safety: When a person is placed on their left side, there is reduced pressure on the heart. This is important for people who suffer from heart conditions or are at risk of cardiac complications. The left side position helps improve venous return to the heart, preventing any additional strain.
• Aspiration Risk: Positioning a person on their left side lowers the risk of inhaling vomit or other fluids, making it the safest option for unconscious individuals at risk of vomiting. This reduces the chance of developing aspiration pneumonia, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
• Gastrointestinal Benefits: The left-side positioning also helps with the natural function of the gastrointestinal system. It promotes the movement of food and fluids through the digestive tract, which can prevent complications.

Right Recumbent Position

We have just seen why the left side is the recovery position. While the left recumbent position is generally preferred, there are situations where we have to place a patient in the right recumbent position.However, the right side doesn’t provide the same anatomical and physiological benefits as the left. . Here are some reasons why most healthcare providers prefer the right side:

• Alternative Option: In some cases, if it is not possible to place the person on their left side due to specific injuries or obstacles, the right recumbent position can be used as an alternative. It is better to place someone on their right side than not to place them in a recovery position at all.
• Comfort and Accessibility: If the person has an injury on their left side, or if the environment makes it easier to place them on their right side, the right recumbent position can be used. It still helps keep the airway open and clear, although it does not provide the same level of protection against aspiration as the left side.
• Training and Guidelines: First aid training often emphasizes the left recumbent position due to its benefits. However, responders are also trained to be adaptable and to use the best possible option in a given situation, which might sometimes mean using the right recumbent position.

Steps to Place Someone in the Recovery Position

Now that we know why the recovery position is on the left side, let us see how to place someone in the position. Placing an injured person in the recovery position, will give safety and comfort while waiting for medical help. To place someone in the recovery position, follow the given steps:

1. Kneel Beside the Person: You should lay the person flat on their back and kneel beside them to start the process.
2. Bend the Opposite Knee: Take the leg farthest from you and bend it at the knee, bringing the foot flat on the ground.
3. Support Head and Neck: Use one hand to support the person’s head and neck. With your other hand, grasp their far shoulder.
4. Roll Them Gently: Gently roll the person onto their side towards you, supporting their head and neck as you do so.
5. Adjust the Top Leg: Bend the top leg at the knee to stabilize the person’s position and prevent them from rolling onto their back or stomach.
6. Tilt-Head Back: Gently tilt the person’s head back to ensure their airway remains open. This position helps keep the airway clear and prevents choking.

Read More: The Main Objectives and Goals of First Aid Training 

EMT and the Recovery Position

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are trained to use the recovery position as a standard procedure in various emergency situations. The left lateral recumbent position, also known as the EMT lateral recumbent position, is widely used by first responders for its effectiveness and safety. Here are some key points about EMTs and the recovery position:

• EMT Lateral Recumbent Position: This is the standard procedure for placing an unconscious person in the recovery position. EMTs are trained to use the left-side position due to its anatomical and safety benefits.
• Training and Usage: EMTs undergo extensive training to ensure they can properly place individuals in the recovery position. This training includes understanding when to use the recovery position and how to execute it safely.

Read More: A Call to Action: The Importance of CPR Certification for Healthcare Professionals

Children And Their Recovery Position

The next question we will tackle is, “Where should a child be placed when being moved to the recovery position?”. Children should be handled gently and before placing them in this position you should make sure their neck and spine have proper support. Place the child gently in the recovery position on their left side. Follow the same steps as outlined for adults, but be extra cautious to ensure the child is stable and comfortable. Children should be handled gently to avoid causing any harm or discomfort. Support their neck and spine to ensure they remain safe and comfortable.

Key Points to Remember

Before placing someone in the recovery position, it’s essential to follow certain critical steps to ensure their safety. These steps help to maintain the person’s airway and overall stability until medical help arrives. By now we know, “What side is the recovery position?”, so let us see a few points to note before being placed in the recovery position:

• Check Breathing: Make sure the person is breathing before placing in recovery position and CPR should be performed if the person is not breathing.
• Monitor Continuously: Keep a close eye on the person after placing them in the recovery position. Watch for any changes in their condition and be prepared to take further action if necessary.
• Seek Help: Always call for emergency medical assistance when dealing with an unconscious person. The recovery position is a temporary measure to ensure their safety until professional help arrives.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to put someone into the recovery position is very useful. It is one of the most effective techniques which can save an unconscious person from danger. The left side recovery position is preferred due to its anatomical and safety benefits, including reduced pressure on the heart and better drainage of fluids. Take CPR and first-aid training classes to learn the correct techniques for learning life-saving measures. Knowing the importance of the recovery position and the correct actions to perform it can help you act better in an emergency and save a life.