You will learn:

a. to assess if a person is unconscious

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

c. to assess if a baby is unconscious

d. how to put a baby in the recovery position.

Learning objectives

Simon’s story

“I was in a queue waiting for tickets at the cinema when this bloke in front just keeled over.

I felt I should get involved… but I didn’t have a clue what to do.

Lucky for him, there was a girl in the queue who knew exactly how to help.

I remember thinking, I wish I knew about stuff like that...”

Introduction

a. to assess if a person is unconscious

You spot someone lying on the pavement in the street on your way home from the shops. What questions would you ask yourself?

> write a list

> check your list with the one

on the next slide.

What questions would you ask yourself?

> Is it safe for me to approach the person?

– Is the person just asleep or drunk or fallen over?

– Why has no one else stopped?

> Are they conscious?

– Can they hear my voice when I ask if they’re ok?

– Do they respond when I gently shake their shoulders?

> If not, assume they’re unconscious.

D is for Danger

R is for Response

a. to assess if a person is unconscious

Remember:

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

If the person doesn’t respond, shout for help.

Then open his or her airway so you can check if they are breathing…

A is for Airway

1. Place your hand on the casualty’s forehead and gently tilt the head backwards.

2. Place two fingers on the tip of the casualty’s chin and lift the chin.

When someone’s unconscious, the tongue goes floppy and can fall to the back

of the throat. This may prevent air getting through.

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

But when the head is tipped back, the tongue is pulled forward, allowing air through.

Simply opening the airway like this can save a life because it allows them to breathe.

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

What three senses could you use? Click to see.

How to check if someone’s breathing.

B is for Breathing

Look along the body to see if the chest is moving up and down.

Listen for breathing. Put your ear close to unconscious person’s mouth and nose.

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

Check for ten seconds

Feel for breath on your cheek.

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If the person is breathing normally, the next step is to put him or her in the recovery position and call 999…

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

Now the airway will stay open.

Her breathing sounds normal!

This video clip shows you how to put someone in the recovery position.

Now it’s your turn to try…

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

Watch the clip twice.

What is the recovery position?

> A way for someone to lie that keeps the airway open.

> The mouth is low, so any blood or vomit can drain out.

> The chest is clear of the ground, so it’s easier for the person to breathe.

> In this position the casualty is stable and can’t roll anywhere. This means their open airway is safe.

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Missing words:

airway low vomit lie clear easier drain stable

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

Putting someone in the recovery position keeps them safe. It helps a breathing person keep breathing.

Now the person’s airway is safe, it’s time to call 999 for an ambulance. Check that they are still breathing

every minute until help arrives.

b. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

Lizzie’s story

“I love babysitting for my sister. But I always worry about what I’d do if anything went wrong.

Would I cope?”

c. to assess and treat an unconscious baby

If you’re dealing with a baby, you have to be gentle… Remember:

1 D is for Danger First check for danger.

2 R is for ResponseThen check if the baby is conscious. Speak to him or her and tap the baby’s foot to see if you get a response. Never shake a baby to get a response.

If there is no crying or movement then assume he or she is unconscious.

c. to assess if a baby is unconscious

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To open the airway tilt the baby’s head back very gently.

Use 1 finger to lift the chin.

A is for Airway

4 B is for Breathing

Check whether the baby is breathing normally: look, listen and feel for breathing.

c. to assess if a baby is unconscious

Remember:

d. how to put a baby in the recovery position

If the baby is breathing normally,

use this recovery position…

Hold baby’s head downwards.

Support baby’s head with your other hand.

Take the baby with you to call 999 for an ambulance. Check the baby’s breathing every minute until help arrives.

If someone collapses…

> check for danger

> try to get a response

> open airway

> check for breathing

> if the casualty is breathing normally, put them in the recovery position

> call 999 for ambulance.

Plenary

You’ve completed this lesson on the recovery position.

Test your knowledge in our interactive quiz, or find out more with one of these activities…

Interactive quiz

Figure drawing

Put a friend in the recovery position. Sketch your friend.

“I was at a gig when this bloke in front just keeled over…”What happened next? Finish the story.

Find out more