BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
The Unconscious state
IF the casualty is unconscious and BREATHING, we need to place them into the recovery position.
The unconscious person cannot protect themselves from dangers. They also lose the cough, gag and swallow reflex so they cannot clear and protect their own airway. The airway of an unconscious person may be vulnerable to blockage from regurgitation, foreign materials or from their own tongue relaxing and falling back blocking the airway. With a head tilt and jaw thrust, we can open the airway, however to keep a casualty safe from the regurgitation of stomach contents threatening their airway, we must place them into the recovery position (on their side).
All unconscious casualties who are breathing and lying on their back must be placed into the recovery position (on to their side) to protect and maintain a clear and open airway.
AIRWAY
The Adult airway is opened by applying jaw thrust and tilting the head back. Children over 1 year of age and up to 8 years of age require a head tilt also but in the case of the very young this may be partial head tilt. Infants (under 12months) have their head kept in a neutral position to ensure the airway is maintained in an open position. Tilting the head may cause further obstruction to the airway.
With Adults and Children we apply a head tilt The infant (under 12 months) needs a neutral postition