Putting children in the recovery position lowers their risk of hospital admission –
the Archives of Disease in Childhood study found.
The recovery position is also referred to as the “safe airway position”.
The aim of the recovery position is to protect the airway and allow free drainage of vomit and bodily fluid.
The following describes the stages of the recovery position:
- POSITION ARM AND STRAIGHTEN LEGS
- Kneel beside the casualty
- Remove spectacles and any bulky objects from the pockets
- Straighten their legs
- Place the arm nearest to you at right angles to the child’s body, with the elbow bent and the palm facing upwards
- POSITION FAR ARM, HAND, AND KNEE
- Bring the arm farthest from you across the casualty’s chest
- Hold the back of her hand against the cheek nearest to you
- Using your other hand, grasp the far leg just above the knee and pull it up until the foot is flat on the floor
- ROLL THE CASULTY TOWARDS YOU
- Keeping the casualty’s hand pressed against her cheek, pull on the far leg and roll her towards you and onto his side
- Adjust the casualty’s upper leg so that both the hip and the knee are bent at right angles
- Tilt his head back to ensure that the airway remains open
- DIAL 999 FOR AN AMBULANCE, IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO
- Monitor & record vital signs : level of response, pulse, and breathing
- Keep their temperature regulated
- Talk to the casualty and reassure him