Recovery position

The above video provides instructions on how to put someone into the recovery position.

A diagram of the recovery position

The recovery position refers to a position of the body in which an unconscious but breathing person can be placed into as part of first aid treatment in order to prevent death by the suffocation of vomit after a drug overdose. All forms of the recovery position share basic principles. The mouth is downward so that fluid can drain from the person's airway; the chin is well up to keep the epiglottis opened. Arms and legs are locked to stabilize the position of the person.

Many combinations of drugs, especially depressants such as alcohol and GHB, can result in dangerous or even fatal levels of respiratory depression. These substances potentiate the effects caused by one another and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. There is an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If nausea or vomiting occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.

Technique

One can follow the steps below to move an unconscious person into the recovery position.^[1]

Kneel on the floor at the person's side with them lying on their back
Place the arm closest to you at a right angle to their body with their hand upwards and towards their head
Tuck the other hand under the side of their head so that the back of the hand is touching their cheek
Bend the knee farthest from you to a right angle
Gently roll the person onto their side by pulling on their bent knee
In this position, the top arm should be supporting the head with the bottom arm acting to stop you from rolling the person too far
Next, open the person's airway by gently tilting their head back and lifting the chin
Check that nothing is blocking their airway and stay with the person to monitor their condition, making sure that they continue breathing and do not go into life-threatening respiratory depression

References

↑ First aid - Recovery position, 2017

Responsible drug use index

[1] First aid - Recovery position, 2017

[1]


Health	Comedowns • Anxiety and panic attacks • Serotonin syndrome • Dehydration • Seizures • Overheating • Health consequences of drug use • Prenatal drug exposure • Sedation risks (Respiratory depression • Sedation injuries • Aspiration of vomit) • Stimulant psychosis • Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

Dosage	Dosage classification • Choosing dosages • Dosage measurement (Eyeballing, Milligram scales) • Volumetric liquid dosing • Allergy testing • Routes of administration • Drug overdose • Compulsive redosing • Dosage form

Harm reduction	Reagent testing kits • Dangerous combinations • Festival and rave safety • International Day of Drug Checking • Safer injection guide • Sharing injection materials • Cotton fever • Recovery position • Naloxone • Mushroom hunting • Substance adulteration • Substance legality • Behavioral toxicity

Hallucinogens	Responsible use § hallucinogens • Set and setting (Setting • Mindset • Physical state) • Trip sitters • Anchors • Bad trips • Aborting trips

Specific drugs	Research chemicals • Synthetic cannabinoids • Cannabis • Stimulants • Benzodiazepines • Thienodiazepines • Opioids • Alcohol • Barbiturates • GHB, GBL, & 1,4-Butanediol • Hallucinogens • Deliriants • Dissociatives • Psychedelics

Addiction	Addiction • Addiction treatment • Tapering • Cold turkey • Drug withdrawal • Delirium tremens • Kindling • Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) • Physical dependence • Psychological dependence • Tolerance • Drug rehabilitation • Cravings • Anti-craving drugs • Drug replacement therapy • Relapse • Smoking cessation

Resources	Laboratory testing, botanical testing, purity testing kits, reagent testing kits • Safe injection sites (also known as drug consumption facilities) • Needle distribution programs • Naloxone programs • Methadone clinics • Crack pipe kits

Recovery position

Technique

References

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