Recovery Position for First Aid: Simple, Safe How-To | Mississauga & Hamilton

Use the recovery position to keep an unconscious, breathing person’s airway open so fluids can drain while you wait for help. Want hands-on practice? See local courses in Mississauga & Hamilton below.

When to use the recovery position

The person is unresponsive but breathing normally.
No obvious spinal injury. (If suspected, move only if you cannot maintain an open airway otherwise.)
Risk of vomiting or fluid in the mouth—gravity helps keep the airway clear.

Simple, safe steps (takes seconds)

Check safety. Ensure the area is safe for you and the person.
Check response & breathing. Tap and shout. If unresponsive but breathing normally, continue. If not breathing or only gasping, call emergency services and start CPR.
Open the airway. Tilt the head back slightly and lift the chin.
Near arm. Place the arm closest to you at a right angle to the body, elbow bent, palm up.
Far hand to cheek. Bring the far arm across the chest; place the back of their hand against the cheek nearest you and hold it there.
Far knee. Bend the far leg so the foot is flat on the ground.
Roll. Pull the bent knee toward you to roll the person onto their side, keeping the hand against the cheek.
Clear & maintain the airway. Tilt the head back, lift the chin, angle the mouth downward so fluids drain.
Stabilize. Position the upper leg at a right angle at the hip and knee.
Monitor. Check breathing continuously until help arrives. If breathing stops, roll onto the back and begin CPR.

Pregnant person: place on the left side if possible. Infants: side-lying with head in neutral, supported to prevent rolling.

Common mistakes to avoid

Skipping the breathing check—use recovery position only if breathing is normal.
Forgetting head tilt–chin lift to keep the airway open.
Leaving the mouth level or facing up—turn it slightly down for drainage.
Failing to re-check—keep reassessing breathing and responsiveness.

Build confidence with local, certified training

Practice the recovery position and other lifesaving skills with blended learning and hands-on coaching:

First Aid & CPR (Mississauga) — Blended First Aid & CPR (Hamilton) — Blended CPR/AED Training — Register Now Marine First Aid — Mississauga Marine First Aid — Hamilton About Aspire First Aid Guide Training (FAGT)

Courses are WSIB-recognized and delivered by experienced instructors. Hands-on practice makes emergency skills stick Recommended

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Strengthen your skills with aspire first aid training, explore aspire first aid, or book a first aid and cpr course. Looking for aspire first aid guide training - first aid cpr mississauga? Learn more about fagt. We also support aspire first aid guide training crop, offer cpr training mississauga, and comprehensive cpr and first aid training.