First Aid - When Disaster Strikes - page 92

Figure 5-3. Checking for pulse at the carotid artery.
9. If the victim has a pulse and is breathing. Continue monitoring ABCs and give first aid for other
injuries or illness.
10. If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing. Continue with rescue breathing, giving one breath
every 5 seconds and checking for a pulse once each minute (every 12 breaths). Continue until the
patient recovers, you are relieved by EMS, or until too exhausted to continue.
11. The recovery position. Ifan unconscious victim is breathing and has a pulse and nospinal injury,
the safest position is the recovery position. Unconscious victims have little or no control over
their muscles and can easily choke on their tongue, vomit, or other fluids. Roll the victim onto his
or her side and toward the front, bending and propping one arm and one leg to prevent the person
from lying face down. Keep the head tilted down and to the side, allowing fluids to drain, and
open the jaw to inspect the mouth to be sure that the tongue is lying flat and not against the back
of the throat. Loosen tight clothing.