Many people will have heard of the recovery position and it is one of the first things you are taught as part of a first Aid course. There is a strong chance you may never need to put someone into the recovery position, but it is certainly worth noting, especially if you are playing in private, may not have help available to you or need to leave someone to go and get help.

It is considered the safest position to place someone into if they have fallen unconscious AND ARE STILL BREATHING. {If the casualty is not breathing or has lost circulation (heart stopped) forget about this and start artificial respiration (AR) or Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). I am not going to cover these areas during this workshop, though details can be found on any of the link sites I have used}

This is a position whereby the casualty is on their side with their head lower than their stomach. The airway is naturally stable; as are they, and should they vomit it will drain out of their mouth.

To roll someone who is into the Recovery Position:

1) Remove their glasses, and any keys or other sharp objects from their pockets.

2) Take the arm closest to you. Straighten it out, and tuck the hand palm-uppermost under their closest buttock. Ensure that their arm is still straight.

3) With your hand, which is closer to their head, take hold of their other hand and bring it over to touch the cheek, which is closest to you. This will support their head.

4) With your other hand, pull their far leg up so that the foot is by the closer knee. This will be your lever, and the straight leg will be the pivot.

5) Gently but firmly, pull the raised knee towards you. They will roll over towards you; support their head with your hand as they do so that it doesn't flop.

6) Tilt their head slightly back to re-open the airway, and turn the mouth down towards the ground to facilitate draining of vomit.

7) Take the arm, which is under their body, and gently pull the elbow along the ground and directly away from the body so that the arm comes out. Don't force it if you can't move it.

8) Pull the uppermost knee up towards you so that the leg acts as a prop for them.

9) Re-check ABC.