What Is the Recovery Position and When Should You Use It?
When someone experiences a medical emergency but is still breathing, knowing what to do next could save their life. One of the simplest and most effective techniques in recovery position first aid is placing the person safely on their side to protect their airway until professional help arrives.
At Health Solutions of America, we’re passionate about giving people practical skills that make a real difference. In this post, we’ll explain what the recovery position is, when to use it, when not to use it, and the exact steps to perform it correctly , even without medical training.
What Is the Recovery Position?
The recovery position is a stable, side-lying posture that keeps a person’s airway clear and open. It is especially useful for someone who is unconscious but still breathing.
The recovery position helps to:
- Keep the airway open
- Allow fluids (vomit or blood) to drain from the mouth
- Prevent aspiration (inhaling fluids into the lungs)
- Support normal breathing until EMS arrives
It is one of the most important steps in basic first aid.
When Should You Use the Recovery Position?
You should place someone in the recovery position if:
- They are unconscious or unresponsive
- They are breathing normally
- They do not have suspected spinal, neck, or back injuries
Examples of when to use the recovery position include:
- Fainting
- Seizures (after convulsions stop)
- Overdose or intoxication
- Stroke (if breathing remains normal)
- After CPR, if the person regains consciousness but remains unresponsive
👉 Do not use the recovery position if the person is not breathing or has no pulse. In that case, begin CPR immediately.
When Not to Use the Recovery Position
Avoid moving someone into the recovery position if:
- They may have a spinal injury (such as from a car accident, fall, or head trauma)
- They are not breathing normally
- They have severe injuries on the side you would be rolling them onto
In these cases, keep the person still and maintain their airway while waiting for emergency responders.
Step-by-Step: How to Put Someone in the Recovery Position
Here’s how to safely place someone in the recovery position (when spinal injury is not suspected):
- Check responsiveness and breathing. Tap them gently and shout.
- If breathing normally but unresponsive, call 911 immediately.
- Kneel beside the person and straighten their legs.
- Place the arm closest to you at a right angle to their body, bent at the elbow.
- Take their other hand, place the back of it against their opposite cheek.
- Grasp the far knee, pull it up, and gently roll them toward you.
- Tilt the head back slightly to open the airway.
- Adjust the top leg so the hip and knee are bent at right angles for stability.
- Stay with them, monitor breathing, and be prepared to start CPR if breathing stops.
Why the Recovery Position Matters
The recovery position is one of the most important first aid techniques because it:
- Protects the airway, the top priority in an unconscious person
- Reduces the risk of choking on vomit, saliva, or blood
- Buys critical time until EMS arrives
- Can be performed by anyone, even without medical training
Be Ready for Emergencies: Learn CPR and First Aid
Placing someone in the recovery position is just one essential skill in basic first aid. When combined with CPR and AED training, it equips you to act confidently in life-threatening emergencies.
At Health Solutions of America, we provide convenient, affordable online courses in CPR, AED, and First Aid certification. You can learn at your own pace, from anywhere, and be fully prepared to respond when it matters most.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to enroll in a course and get certified in recovery position first aid, CPR, and more.