Lateral safety position (PLS): what it is, how to do it and when to use it

The lateral safety position, or PLS, is an essential technique for many first aid cases, as it keeps the airway open and helps ensure that vomit or other contents present in the stomach are not regurgitated and enter the lungs, avoiding the risk of of suffocation.

This position, also called the recovery position, should be used whenever the person is unconscious, but continues to breathe and have a regular pulse, and does not present any problem that could put their life at risk.

The lateral safety position can be used in cases of convulsions, drowning or overdose, for example, but should not be used if the person has trauma or injuries to the spine, spinal cord, head or neck. In all cases, you should always call SAMU, at number 192.

Safety Side Position Step by Step

To place a person in the lateral safety position it is recommended:

1. Lay the person on their back, straightening the arms and legs;
2. Kneel beside person’s;
3. Remove objects that could hurt the victimsuch as glasses, watches or belts;
4. Extend the arm of the person closest to you and bend it, forming an angle of 90º. The person’s palm should face upwards;
5. Hold the hand of your other arm (which is further away from you) and cross it over your chestplacing it next to the person’s face;
6. Bend the knee of the person who is furthest away, so that the victim’s foot is in contact with the floor;
7. Place a hand on the person’s head and the other hand on the bent leg;
8. Rotate the person to the side of the arm that is resting on the floor;
9. Tilt your head slightly backto ensure that the airway remains open.

After placing the person in this position, it is important to observe until the ambulance arrives. If during this time the victim stops breathing, you should quickly place him back on his back and start cardiac massage, to keep the blood circulating and increase the chances of survival.

This technique should never be applied to people suspected of having serious spinal injuries, such as victims of car accidents or falls from a great height, as this can aggravate possible spinal injuries. See what you should do in these cases.

Which side to put the person on, right or left?

The lateral safety position in most cases can be done on either the right or left side. However, in cases of overdose or poisoning, the person should be turned to their left side until the ambulance arrives.

In the case of pregnant women, they should also turn to the left side, in order to prevent the baby’s weight from compressing the blood vessels in the abdomen.

In cases of drowning, it is recommended to turn the person to their right side.

When to use this position

The lateral safety position must be used to keep the victim safe until medical help arrives and, therefore, can only be used on people who are unconscious but breathing.

Using this simple technique, it is possible to ensure that the tongue does not fall into the throat, obstructing breathing, as well as preventing possible vomit from being swallowed and aspirated into the lung, causing pneumonia or suffocation.

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