Editing Recovery position (section)

{{Short description|First aid technique}}
{{Infobox interventions |
  Name        = Recovery position |
  Image       = Recovery position.svg|
  Caption     = All forms of the recovery position share basic principles. The mouth is downward so that fluid can drain from the patient's airway; the chin is well away from the throat to keep the [[epiglottis]] opened. Arms and legs are nested to stabilize the position of the patient |
  ICD10       = |
  ICD9        = |
  MeshID      = |
  OPS301      = |
  OtherCodes  = |
  HCPCSlevel2 = 
}}

In [[first aid]], the '''recovery position''' (also called '''semi-prone''') is one of a series of variations on a lateral recumbent or three-quarters [[Prone position|prone]] position of the body, often used for [[unconsciousness|unconscious]] but breathing casualties.

An unconscious person, a person who is assessed on the [[Glasgow Coma Scale|Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)]] at eight or below, in a [[supine position]] (on the back) may not be able to [[airway management|maintain an open airway]] as a conscious person would.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Merck Online Manuals: Critical Care Medicine|title=Airway Establishment and Control|url=http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec06/ch066/ch066b.html|author1=Bartle, C |author2=Levitan, R |date=January 2010}}</ref>  This can lead to an obstruction of the airway, restricting the flow of air and preventing gaseous exchange, which then causes [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]], which is life-threatening.  Thousands of fatalities occur every year in casualties where the cause of unconsciousness was not fatal, but where airway obstruction caused the patient to suffocate.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|title=First aid 'could save thousands'|date=2010-04-12|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8612194.stm}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=GMTV|title=Be the difference|url=http://www.gm.tv/lifestyle/health/save-a-life/47641-be-the-difference.html|date=2010-04-11|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417224103/http://www.gm.tv/lifestyle/health/save-a-life/47641-be-the-difference.html|archivedate=2010-04-17}}</ref> This is especially true for unconscious pregnant women; once turned on to their left side, pressure is relieved on the [[inferior vena cava]], and venous return is not restricted.  The cause of unconsciousness can be any reason from [[Physical trauma|trauma]] to [[Alcohol intoxication|intoxication from alcohol]].

It is not necessarily used by health care professionals in an institutional setting, as they may have access to more [[advanced airway management|advanced airway management techniques]], such as [[tracheal intubation]].