When someone is unconscious but still breathing, their body can’t protect their airway on its own. That’s where the recovery position, a standardized way to position an unconscious person to keep their airway open and prevent choking. Also known as lateral recumbent position, it’s one of the most basic yet critical skills in first aid. It’s not about making them comfortable—it’s about keeping them alive until help arrives.
The recovery position works because gravity does the work for you. When someone is lying flat on their back and unconscious, their tongue can fall back and block their throat. Fluids like saliva or vomit can pool in their airway. Turning them onto their side with their head tilted slightly down lets those fluids drain out and keeps the tongue from obstructing breathing. This simple move reduces the risk of aspiration and suffocation. It’s used in cases like alcohol intoxication, seizures, overdoses, or sudden loss of consciousness—situations where the person isn’t responding but still has a pulse and is breathing.
There are different versions of the recovery position—some for pregnant people, others for suspected spinal injuries—but the standard version works for most adults. You don’t need special tools, training, or equipment. Just your hands and a clear understanding of the steps. It’s taught in basic first aid courses, but you don’t need a certificate to do it right. The key is speed and accuracy: get them on their side, bend the top leg for stability, tilt the head back slightly, and make sure their mouth is facing downward. If they’re vomiting, you’ll see it flow out instead of filling their lungs. That’s the difference between life and death.
What you won’t find in most first aid guides is how often this technique is overlooked. People panic. They try to sit someone up. They wait for an ambulance to arrive before doing anything. But in those first few minutes, timing matters more than perfection. Even a rough recovery position is better than nothing. Emergency responders see the results every day—patients who survived because someone knew how to turn them over, and others who didn’t because no one did.
Below, you’ll find real-world advice on how to handle unconscious patients, what to watch for after placing them in the recovery position, and how to avoid common mistakes. Some posts cover how to adapt the position for children or seniors. Others explain why it’s not always the right move—like when a spinal injury is suspected. You’ll also learn how to monitor breathing, recognize when to start CPR, and what to say to emergency dispatchers while you wait. These aren’t theory lessons. They’re the kind of practical, no-fluff guidance that helps you act fast when it counts.
Learn the critical steps to take when someone may be overdosing - from calling 999 to giving rescue breaths and using naloxone. This guide gives clear, life-saving actions anyone can follow while waiting for emergency help.
