The recovery position is one of the simplest actions in first aid and also one of the most effective. Turning an unconscious but breathing person onto their side keeps their airway clear and lets fluid drain from their mouth instead of pooling in the throat. It has quietly prevented a huge number of deaths that would otherwise happen from something as ordinary as a person choking on their own vomit while unconscious.
When to Use the Recovery Position
Use the recovery position when a person is unconscious, breathing normally, and does not need CPR. If the person is not breathing normally, begin CPR instead. If you suspect a spinal injury, you can still use a modified recovery position such as the HAINES technique, since protecting the airway remains the priority even then.
Step by Step
- Kneel beside the patient and remove any bulky items from their pockets, along with their glasses if they are wearing any.
- Place the arm nearest to you at a right angle to their body, with the elbow bent and the palm facing upward.
- Bring the far arm across the chest and hold the back of their hand against the cheek nearest to you.
- With your other hand, grasp the far leg just above the knee and pull it up, keeping the foot flat on the ground.
- Keeping their hand pressed against their cheek, pull on the bent knee to roll the person toward you, onto their side.
- Adjust the upper leg so the hip and knee are bent at right angles, which stops the person rolling further forward.
- Tilt the head back gently to keep the airway open, and check that nothing is obstructing breathing.
Why Each Part of the Position Matters
The bent upper leg stops the body from rolling face down. The hand under the cheek keeps the head tilted at an angle that helps fluid drain out of the mouth rather than down the throat, and also stops the face from pressing flat into the ground. Together these details are what make this a stable position a person can be left in safely while you call for help or attend to something else.
Monitoring After You Have Turned Them
Once someone is in the recovery position, do not consider your job finished. Keep checking their breathing regularly until help arrives, since a person’s condition can change quickly. If breathing stops, you will need to roll them onto their back again to begin CPR immediately.
Recovery Position for Infants and Children
Very young infants are usually carried in a modified position, cradled on their side in your arms with the head slightly lower than the body to help with drainage, rather than placed on the floor in the full adult technique. Older children can generally be placed in a smaller scale version of the adult recovery position.
What Not to Do
Do not leave an unconscious person lying flat on their back unattended, even briefly, since a blocked airway can develop silently. Do not place a person who needs CPR into the recovery position first. And do not delay turning someone into the recovery position while you search for a textbook perfect technique. An imperfect recovery position that keeps the airway open is far better than a perfect one applied too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the recovery position?
It keeps an unconscious but breathing person’s airway open and allows fluid to drain from the mouth instead of blocking the throat.
Should you use the recovery position if someone is not breathing?
No. If a person is not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately instead of placing them in the recovery position.
Can you use the recovery position if you suspect a spinal injury?
Yes, using a modified technique where available, because protecting the airway remains more urgent than protecting the spine.
References and Last Reviewed
- American Heart Association, Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
- International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations
Jurisdiction: General first aid guidance, internationally applicable.
Last technically reviewed: September 2026
Reviewed by: EHS Guidelines Editorial Team
This article is educational and does not replace accredited first aid training or professional medical care. In a real emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Related Guides
- Airway Management: How to Open, Clear and Protect an Airway
- Drowning and Near Drowning: First Aid Management
- Chemical and Heat Burns to the Eye, Welder’s Flash and Snow Blindness
- DRABC Primary Survey: The Basic Life Support Flow Chart Explained
- First Aid for Wounds: A Wide-ranging Guide
- First Aid: Bleeding Type Treatment and Precaution
1 Trackback / Pingback