Action for Vomit (Adult)
Action for Vomit (Child)
You should be prepared in case an unconscious casualty begins to vomit. The recovery position ensures this vomit will come out of the person, and not go back down into the lungs. However, if you are performing CPR, the person will not be in the recovery position and is in danger of suffocating on their vomit.
Perform these actions quickly:
- Place one of your hands on the casualty's shoulder.
- Place your other hand on the casualty's hip.
- Roll the casualty away from you, catching the head with the hand which was on their shoulder, and using your knees to stop them rolling back.
- Be careful not to push them too far over, or as they are a dead weight, the person will tip over completely.
- Using the casualty's hand, clean the mouth.
- Slowly roll the casualty back towards you, being careful of the head.
You should no longer perform
mouth to mouth. Instead, it is more hygienic to perform
mouth to nose.
Citation: Handley, A.J. (2006). Life Support: Basic Skills to Save Lives. Broom: Royal Life Saving Society (UK).
