The lateral safety position is essential for many first aid techniques and should be used whenever the person is unconscious, but continues to breathe and does not present life-threatening problems.
So, to put someone in this position:
- This technique should never be applied to people suspected of serious spinal injuries.
- Such as in the case of victims of traffic accidents or high-altitude falls.
- See what you should do in these cases.
After placing the person in this position, it is important to observe until the ambulance arrives, if during this time the victim stops breathing, he must quickly return to the stomach and start the cardiac massage, to maintain blood circulation and increase the chances of survival.
The lateral safety position should be used to ensure the safety of the victim until medical assistance arrives and can therefore only be performed on unconscious but breathing persons.
This simple technique ensures that the tongue does not fall on the throat, obstructing breathing, as well as preventing vomiting from being swallowed and sucked into the lungs, causing pneumonia or suffocation.