Artificial Respiration

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 39, 16 February 1938, Page 3

Artificial Respiration

ADVICE BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. It stimulates the whole body, induces deepbreathing and in general is beneficial to health. It is thoroughly enjoyable in itself. During midsummer no better way of spending the hot hours of the day can be advised than by devoting them to bathing and to learning the art of swimming. Not only as a form of physical exercise and a means to maintain healthy growth and vitality of the human body is swimming invaluable, but as a means of saving life. It should be the aim of persons therefore to learn to swim and if opportunity occurs to belong to a life-saving club. Artificial Respiration. The importance of knowing how to give artificial respiration cannot be over emphasised. Often when a person apparently drowned is taken from the water, breathing has stopped. But let this fact serve only to spur one even to quicker action. Send or call for a doctor at once. Then start to work. Remember that what is done in the first seven minutes is what counts most. Place the person on his abdomen with one of his hands extended straight above his head. Put his other hand under his forehead and turn his head slightly to one side. Remove any foreign material from his mouth. Get someone if possible, to rub his arms and legs and do what you can to keep his body warm. Straddle his body between your knees, lean forward and place your hands on the small of his back towards the sides of his body. Let the little finger of each of your hands rest on the lower rib. Press downwards. This, compresses the lung upwards. Now release your pressure. This allows the lung to expand and the air to rush- in. Repeat this operation at the rate of fifteen times a minute. Don’t stop, don’t give up. If you tire g«t someone to relieve you. Keep in mind that many persons apparently no longer alive have been brought back to consciousness after they have been worked over for several hours. Do not remove the patient from the spot until he is breathing normally. Then warm him np with blankets and hot water bags. Do not give any fluid by the mouth to an unconscious patient. When he is conscious he may be given hot strong coffee. Remember: Even if you know how to swim don't be foolhardy and take unusual risks. (1) Do not swim immediately after a hearty meal. . (2) Do not swim when overheated. (3) Do not let yourself get chilled in water that is too cold. (4j Do not stay in the water to the

point of feeling fatigued. (5) Do not swim in dangerous places. (6) Do not dive into waters of unknown depths. (7) Do not fail to keep children under close supervision whilo they are in the water.