LESSONS IN LIFE-SAVING

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 7 (Supplement)

LESSONS IN LIFE-SAVING

ARTICLE IV. Continuing our notes on life-saving commenced in last week's issue, we must now consider the case where the drowning person has sunk to the bottom and lias not appeared on the 6urfaec again. Bubbles may rise to the surface giving some indication of the position of the body. In still

water the bubbles rise perpendicularly; in running water they rise obliquely, so that the rescuer must look for his object higher up the etream than where the bubbles .appear. Remember also that in running water a body will be carried along, and must be looked for in a straight line in the direction in which the current is running. But the rescuer should waste no time before attempting to find the body. On reaching the drowning person who has sunk to the bottom, seize him by the head or shoulders, place the left foot on the gTound and the right

A Trainer Speaks on Rescue-Work

knee in the small of his back; then give a vigorous push and swim to the surface by the back stroke. ■ Reecuers must at all times be governed by circumstances, using their judgment ae to which method they will adopt in conveying the drowning person to shore, always taking care to avoid wasting their

strength, hopelessly against'an adverse tide or stream; rather float with it, gradually making for shore somewhat across the direction of the current until a boat or other aid may arrive. Methods of Rescue. There are five practical methods of carrying a person in the water; and those who arc ignorant of what to do in cases of emergency can, in the course of ten or twelve lessons, become thoroughly proficient and able to render valuable aid in saving life without risk or danger to themselves. General points concerning the methods are as follow: — When the drowning person is not struggling, turn him on his back,

place your hands one on each eide of his face, so tliat the palme of the hands cover his ears. Then lie on your back, hold him in front of you, and swim with the backstroke, taking care to keep his face above the water. (This was illustrated last week in diagram 1.) If the drowning person is heavily built and, in the frenzy of distress, seeme capable of overcoming the rescuer, it may be advisable to tread water just out of reach before attempting to secure a rescue grip until some exhaustion has lessened such energy. Care must be taken, howerer, that a sudden deep immersion of the one in danger does not make the rescue more difficult and dangerous for the rescuer.

The Arm Grip. In case of struggling, which renders the drowning person difficult to manage, turn him on his back as before and take a firm hold of his arms just above the elbows. Draw his arms upwards at right angles to his body and swim with the backstroke!. This hold will put the drowning person under the control of the rescuer and prevent him from turning round, clutching, or even struggling much. (This was illustrated in diagram 2.)

If tlie arme be difficult to grasp, slip your hands under the armpits of the drowning person and place them on his chest, and 'with your own arms raise his arms at right angles to his body; then lie on your back and swim with the backstroke. (Illustrated in diagram 3.) To render assistance to a swimmer attacked by cramp, or exhausted, as well as to those in danger of drowning who may be obedient and remain quiet, the person assisted must place his hands on the rescuer's shoulders elose to the neck, with his arms at full stretch, and lie on his back perfectly still, with the head held well back. The rescuer being uppermost, and having arms and legs free, swims with the breaststroke. This is by far the easiest method, and without undue exertion a person can be carried a much longer distance than by any other method. (Illustrated in diagram 4.)

For, Overarm Swimmers. Another method of rescuing a person when passive is to hold him with one arm placed over one of his shoulders, with your hand either Under the opposite armpit, or holding him by his clothes, thus leaving your other arm free with which to propel yourself. This method will be useful to overarm swimmers as well as to backstroke swimmers, for although the rescuer may be partially on his back, he will be able to use cither the overarm or the backstroke kick. In order that the rcecuer shall not be obliged to reverse his • stroke, he' should make use of his usual overarm for the purpose of holding the drowning person. (Diagram 5.)

Methods of Release. The following , are two of three methods recommended for effecting release from the clutch of a drowning person: — If the rescuer be heid by the wrists, he must straighten both arms, bring them down together and at his hip level simultaneously force them against the drowning person's thumbs as he brings his arms at angles to his own body, thus dislocating the thumbs of the drowning person if the clutch has not been broken previously. (Diagram 6.) If clutched round the neck, he must take a deep breath and lean well over the drowning person. At the same time ho should place one hand in the email part of his opponent's back, raise the other arm in line with the

shoulder, and, passing it over the drowning person's arm, pinch the nostrils close with the fingers; then with the palm of this hand on the chin pueh away downwards with all possible force. The holding of the nose will make the drowning person open his mouth for breathing, but since lie is under water choking will ensue, his grip will relax and the rescuer will gain complete control. (Diagram 7.) In botli these methods, the rescuer should, immediately after release, turn the patient to the "carry" position. Many a gallant life has been lost in the attempt to rescue a fellow creature through ignorance of these fcimple methods. All that is necessary is careful study and frequent practice in the water. If this be properly done, even a moderate 6wimmer can fearlessly go to the aid of the drowning.