Online CPR Certification Blog

Emergencies happen without warning — a fainting spell at work, an accident at home, or someone collapsing in public. In many of these cases, the victim may be unconscious but still breathing. When this occurs, knowing what to do next can literally make the difference between life and death.

One of the most essential first aid techniques you can perform in such a situation is the recovery position — a safe, stable position that helps maintain an open airway and prevents choking or suffocation.

Even though it looks simple, it’s one of the most powerful lifesaving skills that every person — not just medical professionals — should know.

In this complete guide, we’ll break down what the recovery position is, when to use it, and a step-by-step process (with clear reasoning behind each movement) to help you perform it correctly and safely.

What Is the Recovery Position?

The recovery position is a specific body placement technique used to keep a person’s airway open and clear when they are unconscious but breathing on their own.

By turning the person onto their side, you allow fluids — such as saliva, vomit, or blood — to drain from the mouth, reducing the risk of airway blockage and aspiration (choking on one’s own fluids).

It also helps maintain airway alignment and keeps the tongue from falling back into the throat — a common cause of airway obstruction in unconscious individuals.

Why the Recovery Position Matters

The recovery position is crucial because it addresses one of the biggest threats to an unconscious person’s life — a blocked airway.

When someone loses consciousness, their muscles relax completely, including the muscles that control the tongue and throat. This relaxation can cause:

• The tongue to fall backward, blocking airflow.
• Saliva or vomit to enter the airway.
• Aspiration, which can lead to severe lung damage or death.

By simply rolling someone onto their side, gravity helps keep their airway clear. It’s a small act that can prevent suffocation and stabilize breathing until emergency help arrives.

When to Use the Recovery Position

The recovery position should be used when:
The person is unconscious, unresponsive, but breathing normally.
There are no suspected spinal, head, or neck injuries.
You need to wait for emergency services to arrive.

Typical examples include:

• Fainting or collapse.
• Overdose or alcohol intoxication.
• Post-seizure (after convulsions stop).
• Near-drowning (once breathing resumes).
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• After trauma, when breathing is normal but the person remains unconscious.

When NOT to Use the Recovery Position

There are situations where you should not place someone in the recovery position.

Do NOT use the recovery position if:

• The person is not breathing or only gasping → Start CPR immediately.
• You suspect a spinal injury (e.g., car crash, fall, head trauma). In that case, keep them still and monitor their airway carefully.
• The person is vomiting or bleeding heavily from the mouth — in this case, clear the airway first before deciding the best position.

Preparation: Scene Safety Comes First

Before approaching any victim, remember: Your safety comes first.

Follow these quick checks before you help:

• Check the surroundings — Look for hazards (traffic, fire, wires, water, etc.).
• Ensure it’s safe to approach the person.
• Check responsiveness — Gently tap their shoulder and shout, “Are you okay?”
• Check for breathing — Look, listen, and feel for no more than 10 seconds.

If the person is breathing normally but unresponsive, it’s time to place them in the recovery position.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Place Someone in the Recovery Position

Let’s go through the process clearly and confidently.

Step 1: Kneel Beside the Person

Position yourself next to the person’s chest, on the side where you’ll roll them.
Make sure there’s enough space for the person to turn fully onto their side.

Tip: Stay calm. Speak to the person as if they can hear you — it helps you remain focused and reassuring.

Step 2: Straighten Their Legs

Lay both legs out straight. This helps keep the person stable and prepares the body for rolling.

Step 3: Place the Arm Nearest to You at a Right Angle

Take the arm closest to you and place it at a right angle to the body (out to the side, elbow bent, palm facing up).

This arm acts as a support base to prevent the person from rolling onto their stomach.

Step 4: Bring the Far Arm Across the Chest

Take the other arm (farthest from you) and bring it across the person’s chest.
Then, place the back of their hand against their cheek (the cheek closest to you).

Hold it gently but firmly in place — this hand will cushion their head during the roll.

Step 5: Bend the Far Knee

Now, lift the knee farthest from you, so the foot is flat on the ground.
This leg will act as a lever to help roll the person toward you smoothly.

Step 6: Roll the Person Toward You

Hold their hand in place on their cheek, grip the raised knee with your other hand, and gently pull the knee toward you.

As you do this, the person will roll onto their side — use their bent leg and outstretched arm to control the movement.

Ensure their head stays supported by their hand.

Step 7: Adjust the Head and Neck

Tilt the person’s head slightly backward to open the airway.
Check that their mouth is angled downward to allow fluids to drain out naturally.

If needed, gently adjust their hand or chin to maintain a clear airway.

Step 8: Position the Leg for Stability

Make sure the upper leg is bent at a right angle — this helps stabilize the person and prevents them from rolling onto their stomach or back.

Step 9: Recheck Breathing

Once the person is in the recovery position, reassess their breathing.

• Look for chest movement.
• Listen for airflow.
• Feel for breath on your cheek.

Continue monitoring until help arrives. If breathing stops, roll the person onto their back and begin CPR immediately.

Step 10: Stay with the Person

Never leave an unconscious person alone.
Stay beside them, monitor their breathing, and reassure them (even if they’re unresponsive).

If they vomit, clear the airway quickly and readjust their position.

Visualizing the Recovery Position

Here’s a quick summary visualization:

Step	Action	Purpose
1	Kneel beside the person	Safe positioning
2	Straighten legs	Stability
3	Arm near you bent	Support base
4	Far hand to cheek	Head support
5	Bend far knee	Rolling leverage
6	Roll person toward you	Safe side position
7	Tilt head back	Open airway
8	Adjust leg	Stability
9	Check breathing	Ensure life signs
10	Stay and monitor	Prevent complications

Special Considerations

1. If the Person Is Pregnant

For a pregnant woman, place her on her left side to reduce pressure on major blood vessels (the vena cava). This helps maintain healthy blood flow to the heart and baby.

2. If There’s a Spinal Injury Concern

Avoid moving the person unless absolutely necessary (e.g., vomiting or danger nearby).
If you must roll them, use a log roll technique — keeping the head, neck, and spine aligned throughout the movement.

3. If the Person Is a Child or Infant

The recovery position can be adapted:

• For children (over 1 year): Follow the same steps as adults but be gentler.
• For infants (under 1 year): Hold them face-down on your forearm, with the head slightly lower than the body. Support the head and neck, and ensure the airway remains open.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Rolling too forcefully — may cause neck or shoulder injury.
• Forgetting to tilt the head — can lead to airway blockage.
• Leaving the person unattended.
• Ignoring breathing changes.
• Using the recovery position when CPR is required.

Every move should be controlled, gentle, and purposeful.

Why This Simple Skill Saves Lives

The recovery position is part of Basic Life Support (BLS) and recognized globally by organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and Red Cross.

Its main benefits include:
Keeping the airway open.
Preventing choking and aspiration.
Allowing natural breathing to continue.
Maintaining stability and comfort until professional help arrives.

In real emergencies, it buys crucial minutes — sometimes enough to save a life.

After Placing Someone in the Recovery Position

Once the person is safely positioned:

• Call emergency services (if not done already).
• Stay calm and monitor their condition.
• Keep them warm using a blanket or jacket.
• Do not give them anything to eat or drink.
• Be ready to start CPR if breathing stops.

If the person regains consciousness, encourage them to remain still and rest until professionals arrive.

The Role of Training and Practice

While reading about the recovery position helps, practical training makes a world of difference.
Attending a certified First Aid or CPR course allows you to practice the recovery position on mannequins and real people under expert supervision.

This builds confidence so that, in a real emergency, your response will be automatic, calm, and effective.

Myths and Misconceptions

Let’s clear up some common myths:

• “It’s only for CPR situations.”
  False. The recovery position is used only when the person is breathing, not during CPR.
• “Just sitting someone up is fine.”
  Incorrect. Sitting can cause the airway to close or lead to choking.
• “You might hurt their neck.”
  When done gently and correctly, the recovery position does not cause injury.
• “You need special equipment.”
  No tools are needed — just your hands and knowledge.

Real-Life Scenarios Where It Saves Lives

Scenario 1: Alcohol Overdose

A man passes out after heavy drinking. He’s breathing but unresponsive.
Placing him in the recovery position prevents vomit aspiration — a leading cause of death in alcohol overdose.

Scenario 2: Epileptic Seizure

After a seizure, a person may remain unconscious but breathing.
Rolling them to their side keeps their airway clear during the postictal phase (recovery period).

Scenario 3: Fainting at a Workplace

Someone faints and doesn’t wake up right away.
The recovery position helps maintain airflow while awaiting medical evaluation.

How the Recovery Position Fits into Emergency Response

The recovery position is part of the DRABC protocol used in first aid worldwide:

Step	Action	Purpose
D	Danger	Check for hazards
R	Response	Check responsiveness
A	Airway	Ensure airway is clear
B	Breathing	Check breathing
C	Circulation	Start CPR if needed

If the person is unresponsive but breathing, you stop after “B” — and proceed with the recovery position.

Legal and Ethical Notes

Under Good Samaritan Laws, you are protected when giving reasonable emergency aid in good faith.
As long as your actions are safe, appropriate, and not reckless, you’re acting within the law.

Always act with compassion and caution — your help can make all the difference.

Emotional Aftercare for Rescuers

Helping someone in crisis can be emotionally overwhelming. Afterward, take time to:

• Talk about the experience.
• Rest and recover.
• Seek counseling if you feel distressed.

Emotional well-being is just as important as physical preparedness.

Conclusion: A Simple Skill with Lifesaving Power

Placing someone in the recovery position may take less than a minute — but that one minute can save a life.

When a person is unconscious but breathing, your calm and correct action ensures their airway stays clear and their body remains stable.

Remember:

• Check safety first.
• Confirm breathing.
• Roll gently.
• Monitor continuously.

You don’t need to be a doctor or nurse — you just need to know what to do and act with confidence.

The recovery position embodies the spirit of first aid: simple actions, powerful impact.

Call to Action

Enroll in a First Aid and CPR certification course today to learn practical, hands-on lifesaving techniques.
Share this guide with friends, coworkers, and family — because preparedness starts with awareness.
Remember: One calm person can save another’s life. Be that person.