When a child is in the recovery position their airway is kept open and any vomit can drain away without interfering with their breathing.
How to put a child in the recovery position
Dr Lynn Thomas, OStJ, BSc, MB.BS, MA, FRCPClinically reviewed: 28/04/2025
If a child is not responding to you but breathing normally, it’s safe to put them in the recovery position. Learn what to do.
What to do
- 1
If you find a child collapsed, you should first perform a primary survey. If this establishes that they are unresponsive but breathing, put them in the recovery position. Whilst doing this you should ask someone to get help.
- 2
Kneel by the child and straighten their legs.
If they are wearing glasses, or have any bulky items in their pockets, remove them.
Do not search their pockets for small items.
- 3
Place the arm that is nearest to you at a right angle to their body, with the elbow bent and their palm facing upwards.
- 4
Bring their other arm across their chest and place the back of their hand against the cheek nearest to you, and hold it there.
- 5
With your other hand, pull their far knee up so that their foot is flat on the floor.
- 6
Keeping the back of the child’s hand pressed against their cheek, pull on the far leg to roll the child towards you on to their side. You can then adjust the top leg so that it is bent at a right angle.
- 7
You then need to gently tilt the child’s head back and lift their chin to make sure their airway stays open. You can adjust the hand under their cheek to help keep the airway open.
- 8
Call 999 or 112 for emergency help if it hasn’t already been done. Monitor their level of response while waiting for help to arrive.
If they remain in the recovery position for 30 minutes, roll them into the recovery position on the other side.
