Self Proning In Pandemic Covid-19

Proning is an age old way of doing mechanical ventilation, which itself increases the ventilation perfusion ratio of the lung. So what actually happens when you lie on your stomach (prone) position.

1. The first thing that happens is the heart and mediastinum stops putting pressure on the lungs and it becomes easy to breathe .

2. Also, if you see the picture below the abdominal organs does not compress the lungs while lying prone, which leads to better ventilation.

3. Lying in prone position allows more effective usage of dorsal alveoli ( the place in the lung where gas exchange actually takes place ,hence better ventilation perfusion ratio.

4. Also , while lying supine gravity creates a hydrostatic pressure difference between the top and lower segment of the lungs, so if you lie prone this is also taken care of.

How to Do Proning Cycle

1. Prone - While lying on your stomach (pic1), keep one pillow under your chest, two pillows below your pelvis ; make sure its not under stomach as it will hamper the diaphragm movement. You can keep one pillow under your feet. To see you have placed the pillows correctly there should be a gap between your stomach and the floor.

2. Right side Lying-Lie on the right side of the body , you can place a pillow in between your legs and one under your neck .

3. Straight Recumbent Position- Take the support of the bed and place 2 pillows behind your back vertically and one horizontally keep your legs straight.

4. Left Side Lying- Lie on the left side of the body , you can place a pillow in between your legs and one under your neck .