In what circumstances should an injured person be placed in the recovery position?

In the photo a rescuer is placing a casualty on her side, with a hand under her cheek - the recovery position. You place a casualty in this position when they are unconscious, are breathing and have no visible injuries - answer B.

The Road Traffic Act requires a person involved in an accident to give the necessary help to the victims. The recovery position has one purpose: in an unconscious person who is breathing, the tongue and stomach contents will not block the airway, because the head is tilted back and the mouth faces downwards. An unconscious person who is not breathing (answer A) needs resuscitation, not placing on their side - this is the most common mistake. A conscious, exhausted person (answer C) keeps their own airway open; it is enough to sit them down or lay them down comfortably and cover them. With visible injuries, especially a suspected spinal injury after an accident, turning the casualty onto their side may make the damage worse, so you turn them only when you have to leave them alone or when they are vomiting - if possible with the help of a second person, keeping the head stable. After placing them in the position, you check their breathing every minute and wait for the ambulance.

Legal basis: Art. 44 para. 2 point 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym); Art. 162 § 1 of the Criminal Code