recovery position

Indication: - victim unable to protect airway Procedure: - with victim in supine position, knee at victim's side - place victim's near arm with elbow at 90 degrees & hand at side of head - reach over victim & pull opposite arm across victim's chest, placing back of victim's hand against cheek - pull victim's far or opposite leg up so that the knee is at a 90 degree angle with the foot flat on the ground - pull that leg over the victim toward you maintaining the knee at 90 degrees until the medial aspect of the knee contacts the ground, & the victim is lying on their side (slightly prone) - check the position of the hand in contact with the cheek & lift the chin as needed to open the airway - lateral position, victim on his/her side, with spine straight - arms in a position to avoid: - compression of chest - compression of dependent arm Advantages: - keeps airway open - tongue does not block airway - fluid can drain from the mouth

References

ACLS - The Reference Texbook ACLS: Principles & Practice, Cummins RO et al (eds), American Heart Association, 2003 ISBN 0-87493-341-2