COVID-19: How To Do Self-Proning To Improve Oxygen Levels

Shreya Takodara for Homegrown

The increase in severity of the COVID-19 crisis in India has led to an extreme lack of resources, and a helpless situation for most medical facilities. Some patients are left to tend to themselves due to to shortage of medical staff –– many of which result in the death of the patient.

The monitoring of oxygen levels remains a priority for COVID-19 patients –– the need for immediate medical attention may arise at any point of time. A practice, however, that can be carried out to secure a safe oxygen level temporarily is that of proning.

What is proning?
The process of turning a patient with precise and safe motions from their back onto their abdomen, so that they are lying face down.

How can I practise proning?
- Place one pillow below the neck, two under your chest and two under your shins
- Follow these positions for maximum 30 minutes –– lay on your belly, then on your right side. Sit up straight with legs extended in front, lay on the left side and finally back on your belly.

- Avoid proning for an hour after meals.

How is it helpful?
While it is not a cure, the position helps improve oxygen levels and has a low risk. For critical patients, it buys time till adequate resources are arranged.

When shouldn’t one prone?
- Pregnancy
- Deep venous thrombosis (treated in less than 48 hours)
- Major cardiac conditions
- Unstable spine, femur, or pelvic fractures

The Indian Express says that according to medical experts, one should try proning if the oxygen levels dip below 94.