Every week, St John Ambulance’s James Atkin brings you his simple, but life saving, first aid tips – this week: the recovery position.

If a casualty is unconscious but breathing normally, you will need to put them into the recovery position while you are waiting for emergency help to arrive. Follows these steps to place an adult, or a child over the age of one, in the recovery position:

Kneel beside the casualty and remove their glasses and any bulky items from their pockets. Make sure that both of their legs are straight, then place the arm that is nearest to you at right angles to their body with the elbow bent and the palm facing upward.

Bring the arm that is furthest from you across the casualty’s chest and hold the back of their hand against the cheek nearest to you. With your other hand, grasp the far leg just above the knee and pull it up, keeping the foot flat on the ground.

Keep the casualty’s hand pressed against their cheek and pull on the far leg to roll the casualty towards you and on to their side.

Adjust the upper leg so that both the hip and the knee are bent at right angles. Tilt the casualty’s head back and tilt the chin so that the airway remains open. If necessary, adjust the hand under his cheek to keep the airway open.

If it has not already been done, call 999/112 for emergency help and monitor vital signs while waiting for help to arrive.

If the casualty is to be left in the recovery position for more than 30 minutes, roll them on to their back and into the recovery position on the opposite side (unless other injuries prevent you from doing this).

If the casualty is a baby under the age of one, cradle the infant in your arms with their head tilted downwards. This position prevents them from choking on their tongue or from inhaling vomit.

Want to know more? Find out about first aid courses near you by calling 0121 237 3879, emailing west-mids-training@sja.org.uk or visiting our website www.sja.org.uk. If you are interested in volunteering, you’ll find the latest vacancies on our website or by calling our regional headquarters on 0121 236 6660. They can also advise on your nearest Badger and Cadet units.