The take on that would mean there is no actual danger or threat in the Pokemon world Im "creating". This is a time setting that predates the big stadiums etc. Pokegear's and Pokedex's aren't around. The professor is actually creating his guide to assist with the creation of the Pokedex. The move, Recover, is only taught to Pokemon whom have been with their trainer for a while and have been able to learn such "attacks". Besides, it wouldn't make for such a good story if he just recovered and ran away.