Page 48 - EMS CPR Manual V1

RECOVERY AND HANDOVER
The Recovery Position
The recovery position is used to maintain the opening of the airway, allowing for drainage and reducing the risk of obstruction. The recovery position is used for unconscious casualty’s who are breathing and have no other life threatening emergencies.
A casualty is considered to be unconscious if they do not effectively respond to simple commands such as “can you hear me”, “open your eyes” or “squeeze my hand”.
Most casualty’s are placed into the lateral recovery position, lying on their right hand side.
The exception to this rule is that women in advanced stages of pregnancy should be placed onto their left hand sides, unless an injury prevents you from doing so. This action is to avoid compressing the inferior vena cava, which will cut off the blood supply from the woman’s lower extremities.
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RECOVERY AND HANDOVER