The recovery position for adults and children

An unconscious person is always at risk of the airway becoming blocked by the tongue. There is also the possibility of chocking on stomach contents because the value holding food down often relaxes, allowing food to come back up into the mouth. If there is damage to the mouth or internal injuries, a person may also be at risk of chocking on blood. To try to reduce these risks, most unconscious people are safest if placed in the recovery position while waiting for help to arrive. This position keeps the airway open and allows liquids to drain from the mouth.

ASSESSING A VICTIM. If somebody is unconscious (not responsive) but breathing, your priorities are: to ensure that she stays breathing by keeping the airway unblocked and regularly looking, listening, and feeling for breaths; to treat any life-threatening injuries such as serious bleeding; and to call for emergency help. For an unconscious person who you know to be breathing, do a quick check for life threatening injuries such as severe bleeding and treat if necessary, then move the victim into the recovery position.

HOW TO MOVE AN ADULT INTO THE RECOVERY POSITION

1. Kneel beside the victim. Remove glasses and any bulky objects from the pockets. Ensure the airway is open by lifting the chin and tilting the head. Make sure both legs are straight out from the victim's body, with the palm facing upward.
2. Bring the arm furthest away from you across the victim's chest and hold the back of the hand against the cheek nearest to you.
3. With your other hand,grasp the far leg just above the knee and pull it up, keeping the foot flat on the ground.
4. Keeping the victim's hand pressed against his or her cheek, pull on the far leg and roll the victim toward you and on to his or her side. Adjust the upper leg so that both the hip and knee are bent at right angles.
5. Tilt the head back so that the airway remains open. If necessary, adjust the hand under the cheek to make sure the victim's head remains tilted and the airway stays open. Call for emergency help if this has not already been done. Check the breathing regularly, and check the lower arm for any loss of color or warmth. If it turns white or blue, or if it gets cold, gently move it until the color or warmth returns.

THE RECOVERY POSITION OF CHILDREN AND BABIES

The priorities for an unconscious child are to ensure that the child stays breathing by keeping the airway clear, and regularly looking, listening and feeling for breaths; to treat any life-threatening injuries; and to call for emergency help. If an unconscious child is breathing, do a quick check for life-threatening injuries and treat if necessary, then turn the victim into the recovery position.

HOW TO MOVE A CHILD INTO THE RECOVERY POSITION

1. Kneel beside the child. Remove glasses and any bulky objects from the pockets. Ensure the airway is open by lifting the chin and tilting the head. Make sure both legs are straight, then place the arm nearest to you straight out from the child's body, with the elbow bent and the palm facing upward.             Warning: Never move a child if you suspect there is a spinal injury unless breathing is hindered or the child needs to be removed from danger.
2. Bring the arm furthest away from you across the child's chest and hold the back of the hand against the cheek nearest to you
3. With your other hand, grasp the child's far leg just above the knee and pull it up, keeping the foot flat on the ground.
4. Keeping the child's hand pressed against her cheek, pull on the far leg and roll the child toward you and on to her side. Adjust the upper leg so that both the hip and knee are bent at right angles.
5. Tilt the head back so that the airway remains open. If necessary, adjust the hand under the cheek to make sure the child's head remains tilted and the airway stays open. Call for emergency help if this has not already been done. Check the breathing regularly, and check the lower arm for any loss of color or warmth. If it turns white or blue, or if it becomes cold, gently move it until the color or warmth returns.

RECOVERY POSITION FOR BABIES

For a baby or a very young child who is unconscious, the easiest way to maintain an open airway is to cradel the infant  face down over your arm, while supporting the head and neck with your hand.

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Frederick Luneta is a 24-year old guy and he is a Computer Engineering student and a young part time blogger. Currently lives in the Philippines. He knows a lot about computer.