What is the recovery position used for?

The recovery position is specifically designed for maintaining an open airway in an unconscious person who is still breathing. When someone is unconscious, their ability to protect their own airway diminishes, increasing the risk of aspiration or obstruction. Placing the individual in the recovery position helps to prevent the tongue from falling back and blocking the airway, and it allows any fluids to drain out of the mouth, reducing the risk of choking.

In contrast, while immobilizing the spine is critical in certain trauma situations, the recovery position does not serve that purpose. It is not intended for conscious patients seeking comfort; rather, its primary goal is to ensure the safety of someone who is unresponsive yet still has a pulse and is breathing. Lastly, the recovery position is not related to performing abdominal thrusts, which are a method for clearing an obstructed airway in a conscious person. Thus, the recovery position's primary function is focused on airway management for those who are unconscious.