What to do in Cases of Drowning

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 4, 24 January 1907, Page 33

What to do in Cases of Drowning

This is the season of special danger- by sea-side and river-bank, and the following simple rules for, the prevention of accidents, and for the rescuing of drowning persons are worthy of attention :—

First— Do not go out in any pleasure- boat of small or large dimensions without -being assured ' that there are life-saving buoys or cushions aboard sufficient to float all on board in case of air upset or collision, or festooned with life-saving' ropes.

Second— With a party, be sure you are all properly ■ and satisfactorily seated before you leave the shore— particularly so with girls on board. Let no one .attempt to exchange seats in . midstream, or to put a foot on the edge or gunwale of the boat to change seats, or to rock the boat for fun. This, by rollicking young people, has. upturned man>y a boat and lost very many lives every year. Where the waters become rough from a sudtfen squall or passing steamers, never rise in the boat, but settle down as close to the bottom as possible, and keep cool until the rocking danger passes. If over- < turned a woman's skirts, if held out by her extended arms, while she uses her feet as if climbing stairs, will often hold her up while a boat may pull out from the shore and save her. A non-swimimer, by drawing his arms up to his sides and pushing down with widely stretched hands, while stair climbing or " treading water with his feet, may hold himself up several minutes, often when a single minute means his life ; or throwing out the arms, dog fashion, forward, overhand and putting in, as if reaching for something —that may bring him help or may at least keep him afloat till help comes. Third— ln rescuing drowning .persons, st*ize -them by the hair or the collar, back of the neck. Do not - let them throw their arms around your neck -or ~ arms. If unmanageable, do not ' strike them, but let them drop under a moment until .quiet, then tow them into the shore.

If unconscious do not wait a moment for a doctor or an amlbulance, but begin at once. -First, igefc the tongue out and hold it by a handkerchief or towel - to let the water out ; get a buoy, box or barrel under the stomach, or hold the victim over your knee, head down, and jolt the water out; then turn" over side to side four or, five times, then on the back, and with, a pump movement keep" the arm's- going from pit / of stomach overhead to a straight out and back fourteen or sixteen times a minute until signs of returning life are shown. A bellows movement pressure on the stomach at the same time is a great aid if you have help

Of course, you will at' first loosen collar and all Wnding clothing. Let someone at once remove shoes and stockings, and at" the same time rub the lower limbs with an upward movement from foot to knee occasionally slapping the soles of the feet with the open hand.

Spaa-its of ammonia to the nostrils, -or a feather tickling in the throat, often helps to quicken, but rarely anything more than the above mechanical means is needed. Use- no spirits internally .until after breathing and circulation are restored ; then a moderate use of stimulants or hot tea and a warm blanket or bed „ is of the first importance.