Recovery position (2)

[Digby]

When would you NOT use the recovery position?

a. If neck or spinal injuries are suspected?
b. If you think the casualty might vomit?
c. If there is more than one casualty?
d. If the casualty is snoring?
e. If you think they may be drunk?




Choose your answer then scroll down to see what other people say. This forum is no substitute for professional first aid training - so get yourself off and get trained!

[timmygowalkies]

a. If neck or spinal injuries are suspected.

Putting a casualty into the recovery position when they may vomit is a good idea, as when done correctly the vomit will flow away because of the position of the head.
If there is more than one casualty then treat the most serious first, if they need the recovery position then use it, there is no reason not to.
If the casualty is snoring it may mean they are asleep. Depending on their injury you may need to wake them up but if not, there's no reason not to put them into the recovery position.
If they are drunk there is a high chance of vomiting, put them in the recovery position.

Tim

[Ollie]

I thought one of the main reasons for putting someone in the recovery position was to stop them choking if they did vomit?

[timmygowalkies]

Yes, it is.

I've had a re-think. Wouldn't you use the recovery position on all of them just for the neck or spinal injuries you would use the log roll method if it was possible? If not then i wouldn't move them.

[David]

I would just like to point out a minor but siginificant (yes I know what I just wrote!) point when using the recovery position, or any first aid. Considering the 'drunk' and 'casualty woken up' situations, not everyone will respond positively to first aid. Consider that a collapsed drunk wakes up possibly after a fight (not all first aid happens on mountains y'know) to find someone manhandling them. Are they going to relax, confident they are in safe hands, or try to defend themself against some stranger trying to roll them onto their side? Always make sure you have the consent of the person you are aiding, or you could get them and yourself hurt more. If someone is unconcious be doubly careful if they start to wake up.

[Shaggysheep]

this is why when you are taught first aid you are told to talk to the casualty at all times. Explain what you are doing all the time. This reasures the casualty if they do come round also we are told that humans can still hear although they are unconcious

[insane_climber]

ok i will givemy opinion as a first aider and a st john vaulenteer,

i would put all of them in the recovery position except the spinal unles they were starting to vomit and there wernt enough to log roll.

if you become unconchous all the mscles in you body ralx as your stomach will empty its self into the pharinx,the only way to clear it and keep a patent airway is to place them in the recovery position. the jaw thrust on a unconchuus suspected spinal partien will only hold the airway open, it will not stop vomit from entering