DROWNING ACCIDENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 151, 24 December 1934, Page 9

DROWNING ACCIDENTS

ADVICE T6 BATHERS

- ii— SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS

No fower than 127 persons were accidentally drowned in New Zealand in 1933,- says a statement supplied by, the Department of Health. During the last five years 512 deaths have occurred from this cause. About half of all individuals who drown are under twetity-fivo years of age, but # most deaths from this cause occttr "B°ng thoso between the ages of 15 and £> years of age. Large numbers of deatfts from drqwning occur in individuals who are between the ages of 45 and 05 years. In the younger group the deaths are probably due to inexperience and lack of stamina. In the older age group they are probably due in many instances to overestiination or endurance and stamina. Nearly eighty per cent, of those who drown are males, indicating that the hazards are undertaken by members of this sex more often than by women.

RESUSCITATION. N The following, is a-short outline of the prone pressure of resuscitation. It is simple, effective, and easy to learn. The victim should be placed •tomacn. down, one arm stretched above the other, -with' the face resting on tha arms. . The following measures should be started at once and should ,be «on» tinued rhythmically until natural breathing is established. 1. Don't waste time., Immediately; after removal from the water, try to clear fluid from the patient's.lungs ny, frii-ning htm face and head downwards, so that it may run out of his mouth, and nose. 2. Kneel, and straddle the patient! below the hips, placing hands on small of the back with fingers over the lowest rib, tips of lingers just out of sight. 3. With arms straight, while count* ing one, two, swing forward bearing weight on body firmly but.not violent* ly. 4. Swing backwards while counting one, straightening up and thus reliev« ing the pressure. This allows airs t» bo drawn into the lungs. '5. Rest in this position for trr<t counts. 6. Repeat these movements rhythmically forward and backwards, without interruption about twelve to fifteen * n.inutc, uutil natural breathing is restored. 7. 'Meanwhile, if assistance is at hand, a physician should bo sent for, patient's tight clothing should be loosened at neck, chest, or waist, and patient should be kept warm. Tbe patient should not be moved from this spot until he is breathing: normally '-and then should bo carried in a lying position to a place where he can be kept warm and receive expert medical attention. PRECAUTIONS. Certain precautions that should be taken by all swimmers are:— (1) Do not go cathiug until at least; an hour and a half after meals; (2), do not dive into unknown waters;1 (3) do not overtax vout strength— '• r work up gradually to a long swim. by strengthening the muscles first;' (4) do not do too many ««stunts' * unless you etc expert. Do uot rock the boat. Water is not man's natural element—respect it. Do not' get into such difficulty that someone will have to risk life to save yours; (5) adequate supervision of bathing beaches and water sports generally, prevents fatalities. Tn this issue the Railway Department advertises train nrramjement* in connection with Race Meetings at Palrnerston North (Awapuni) and Clareville. Frequent service* «nd cheap fares for picnia parties to seaside resorts on Manawaltt line, also to Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt are featured,