Key Takeaways – Recovery Position in First Aid
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Recovery position keeps the airway clear and prevents choking in an unresponsive but breathing casualty.
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Use after DRS ABCD steps confirm breathing, especially post-CPR or defibrillator use.
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Prevents suffocation from the tongue or stomach contents when lying on the back.
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Adult and child recovery position: place on the left side, support neck, and maintain open airway.
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Infant recovery position: cradle with head tilted down to clear airways and prevent aspiration.
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Do not use if casualty is in cardiac arrest, not breathing, breathing irregularly, or has suspected spinal injury.
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Follow correct steps: roll the body (not twist the spine), ensure mouth is lowest point, and tilt head back.
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Switch sides after 30 minutes if injuries allow, to reduce pressure and improve comfort.
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Monitor and reassess breathing continuously until medical help arrives.
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CPR First Aid courses in Australia teach recovery position techniques alongside CPR and other emergency skills.
A recovery position could potentially save your life; did you know that? If you ever have trouble breathing or feel you might pass out, you should take this position. The recovery position keeps the airway clear and prevents throat occlusion from the tongue. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the significance of the recovery position and how to do it right.
What is the Recovery Position in First Aid?
The recovery position should be used for an unresponsive and unconscious person. Despite this loss of consciousness, the casualty is breathing and has no other life-threatening illnesses. Thus, to be clear, an unconscious breathing casualty should be placed in the recovery position.
The purpose of the recovery position is to keep someone’s airway open and transparent. It also ensures the casualty won’t choke on any liquids or vomit.
When Do You Use Recovery Position?
What is the primary purpose of the recovery position? Once you have followed DRS ABCD – that includes chest compressions and the usage of a defibrillator – and established the casualty is breathing, you need to place them into the recovery position. It is essential as it is the best position for an unconscious, breathing casualty.
An unconscious casualty lying on their back can quickly suffocate on their tongue or stomach contents.
Recovery Position for a Child (1-18 years) or Adult (18+ years)
- Follow DRS ABCD and ensure the casualty is unconscious by seeing if they react to stimuli. They also need to be breathing effectively.
- It is recommended that the recovery position be started by placing the casualty on their left side to ensure their airway remains open.
- Place both of the casualty’s arms pointing away from you (the closest arm will be across the casualty’s chest).
- Raise the casualty’s knee closest to you and bend it at a right angle.
- Place one hand under the raised knee and the other arm behind the casualty’s shoulders, and remember to support the neck as best as possible.
- Make sure you hold the casualty’s hip to control the roll and not let the casualty fall onto their front.
- Gently turn the casualty onto their side facing away from you and bend up the raised knee further to the front of the casualty to ensure they don’t roll onto their front.
- Please ensure the casualty’s mouth is at its lowest point so the stomach can drain.
- Lift the casualty’s head back and tilt the chin forward in an open airway position. Adjust the hand under the cheek as necessary.
- Continue monitoring DRS ABCD until an ambulance arrives – never leave an unconscious casualty unattended.
- If injuries allow, turn the casualty to the other side after 30 minutes.
REMEMBER – WHEN MOVING THE PERSON ONTO THEIR SIDE, MAKE SURE THEIR NECK AND BACK DO NOT MOVE. MAKE SURE YOU ARE ROLLING THE BODY, NOT TWISTING THE SPINE.
Recovery Position for an Infant (Under 1-Year-Old)
For children less than a year old, a modified baby recovery position must be adopted:
- Cradle the infant in your arms, with their head tilted downwards on their side to prevent them from suffocating on their tongue or inhaling stomach contents.
- Monitor and record vital signs, such as level of response and breathing, until medical help arrives.
- A 1-handed recovery position can be used by placing your fingers supporting the baby’s neck and jaw.
- The baby should face the ground so that vomiting or regurgitation will not obstruct their airways.
- This position also frees your other hand to make phone calls (i.e., (triple zero) 000 / 112), open doors, do back blows for choking, etc.
- If you need to walk around with the infant, be careful not to trip. Dropping or falling onto the child can easily cause injury.
When Should the Recovery Position Not Be Used?
It would be best if you did not utilize the recovery position on a person who has had a cardiac arrest, is not breathing, or is breathing irregularly. It is also not recommended to move a casualty if you suspect they have a neck injury or spinal injury. While exceptions exist, it is best not to push them until emergency services arrive to assist and move them to the nearest healthcare facility. With injuries aside, responders should lay casualties flat on their backs and start CPR.
What are the steps in a recovery position?
According to PositiveChoices, the following steps are for recovery position.
- Kneel at the person’s side.
- Stretch their arms and legs out.
- Fold the arm closest to you across the chest of the person you are addressing.
- Position the opposite arm perpendicular to the body.
- The nearest leg should be bent at the knee.
- While holding the individual’s head and neck, take the bent knee closest to you and roll the individual away from you.
Adjust the upper leg so that the knee and hip form a straight angle. Ensure that the individual is stable and cannot roll. - Ensure the airways are transparent and open by tilting the head back.
What First Aid Courses Can You Study in CPR First Aid Australia?
– If you need a general First Aid qualification, we recommend the HLTAID011 Provide first aid. This also includes CPR qualification. The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) suggests updating this qualification every 3 years.
– If you want to update your CPR qualification, we recommend HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) suggests updating this qualification annually.
– If you need a first aid qualification to work in the childcare industry and require Anaphylaxis and Asthma training ONLY, then you should consider HLTAID012. Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting.
– If you are working with children, you may also be required to obtain first aid training qualifications in Asthma and Anaphylaxis to procure relevant first aid skills for these conditions. You need to check with the employer before enrolling so that the client gets the proper training for their circumstance.
Please note that you must first confirm with your employer what qualifications you want to take before you book.
In Australia, workplaces must follow occupational health and safety regulations. These regulations specify, among other things, that businesses and care organizations must have personnel with current, recognised workplace-approved CPR and first aid training.
Click here to view a complete list of CPR First Aid courses currently available on RTO’s scope of registration.
Click here to find CPR and first aid courses near you.
ABOUT CPR FIRST AID
RTO No. 21903: CPR First Aid was founded in 2007. We specialize in providing first aid training in CPR, asthma, and anaphylaxis for various workplaces, including childcare, schools, and other industries in NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and QLD. We are a Registered Training Organization with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (No 21903). Our courses and Units are VET-accredited for workplaces in Australia
Conclusion
Learning about the recovery position is essential because it could potentially save a life. The recovery position keeps the airway clear and prevents throat occlusion from the tongue. It is also necessary to know its purpose, the steps to perform it, and when and when not to use it. There are many other important positions, such as the HELP position, another helpful position used for waiting for help when floating in water. You might consider further applying for CPR basic First Aid training in Australia to understand the recovery position application and other positions. Learn relevant first-aid skills and what to do in a medical emergency.