MISHAPS IN THE WATER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 6

MISHAPS IN THE WATER

WHEN LIFE IS IN DANGER METHODS OF RESUSCITATION. THE ACTIONS EXPLAINED. In order lo encourage public interest in iheir work, and to give a demonstration of life-saving methods, the Castleeliff Surf Section carried out the various drills at the beach on Sunday. In order to supplement the display th« following explanation is given, and by taking note of thc various instructions the methods of resuscitation should be more clearly understood by those not fully conveisant with the teachings of lhe Royal Life-saving Society. It should first of all be explained what actually happens when a person is drowning. Death, or apparent lifeless ness from drowning is due to suffoca lion, owing to a lack of pure air being supplied to the lungs. When the supply of fresh, pure air to the lungs ceases, the lungs are unable fully to carry out their work of purifying the blood in circulation in the body. Thus, impure blood is again circulated to all parts of the body, by means of the pumping action of the heart. This impure blood going to the brain renders it inactive and incapable of muscular control and in a short space of tinm the drowning person becomes insensible and the face and lips become dark. If no resuscitation is carried out at this stage the heart ultimately ceases to beat and death takes place. It will thus seem that, every moment is of \alue in effecting the rescue of a drowning person, in order that once the icscue has been made no time be lost in. applying the methods of artificial respiration t.o restore natural breathing before the heart ceases to function. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that immediate attention should be given to restoring breathing if same has ceased or become weak. The first portion of the drills demonstrated on Sunday showed the methods of releasing the clutches of a drowning person and thc methods by, which the patient is held when being towed to shore. These cannot be fully described, but in approaching a patient in deep water, cure should be taken to inspire confidence in the patient if he is still conscious. Various methods of lowing are taught, an are employed according to the state of the patient. Once having removed a patient from the water carry out the following routine without loss of tim«: 1. Place the body, stomach down on the nearest fiat piece of ground, the head being on one side and the arms forward. 2 Look to see that no obstructions such as seaweed, false teeth, etc., are lodged iu the mouth or throat. 3. Immediately commence resuscitation to promote breathing. 4. If other persons are available send for medical aid and blankets. After patural breathing has been restored the circulation may be assisted by briskly rubbing the inside of the limbs inwards towards lhe heart. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with the Performance of artificial respiration, nor must th* patient be moved m any or be given any restoratives by the mouth, until his natural breathing « completely restored and he is tully conscious. Artificial resuscitation should be continued until medical optnton is given as it has been successful after several hours’ operation. The following is the method ot parrying out resuscitation: 1. Place yourself on one side of the patient facing the head, in a full kneeling position, with knees and hips bent. ■' Place the hands on the small o the'patient’s back, the wrists nearly touching, the thumbs as near each other as possible, the fingers passing over the loins on either side, but not. Bending the body from the -knees, swing slowlv forward so that the weight of the body comes on the hands 4 Swing the body slowly backwards io its first position, thus removing tM weight from the hands. The forward movement should take two seconds and Lhe backward movement three seconds, lhe whole forward and backward movement being carried out twelve times a minute. Throughout all movements the urns should be kept straight and not bent at the elbows. During the forward movement the abdomen is pressed igainst the ground resulting in air being driven out of the lungs together with anv water. During the backward movement air enters the lungs owing to the pressure being removed. The above method applies equally well when treating a person suffering from electric shock.