If an adult is unresponsive and breathing normally, which position should you place them in?

Placing an unresponsive adult who is breathing normally in the recovery position is essential for ensuring their safety and protecting their airway. The recovery position, which typically involves rolling the person onto their side with their head tilted slightly back, helps to keep the airway clear, allowing any fluids, such as vomit, to drain out and preventing choking. It also reduces the risk of aspiration, which can occur if a person is left on their back and any fluids enter the lungs.

While the seated position may seem comfortable, it does not provide adequate airway protection in an unresponsive individual. The flat supine position can obstruct the airway and increase the risk of aspiration, particularly if the person becomes ill or anything obstructs their breathing. Placing someone in the prone position, or face down, is dangerous for an unresponsive individual as it also compromises airway access and can lead to suffocation.

The recovery position is specifically designed to maintain an open airway while ensuring the person remains safe until medical help arrives or they regain consciousness.