APPARENTLY DROWNED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 277, 17 November 1908, Page 2

APPARENTLY DROWNED

NEW METHOD- OF RESUSCITATION

Mr. William llcury, chief secretary of the Royal Life-saving Society, write.s as follows to the "Sportsman" on the new method of restoring the apparently drowned:—Owing to the ilioliday season, the warm weather, and the pleasure or boating and bathing, a great many accidents have occurred around our coasts and in the inland waters. 1 venture to suggest that a great proportion of these accidents might have been prevented had the art. of swimming and life-saving been more generally practised. A little training not only helps one to enjoy a bathe, but also provides greater security against accident. Many people when on holiday frequently indulge in bathing; tihjey seem to consider that their holiday is not complete without it—this is the bather who runs the. greatest risk. If one were to enquire one would lind that the majority of those drowned during July, August, and September were people seeking pleasure. Such folk can, perhaps, swim a little, so thev vcutuvc out of their depth, to lind tfhtit they quickly get exhausted, as their muscles

have not the needed practice to withstand the extra exertion put upon them. Finding that they are gofting tired, they become terrified, try to scream for help, and, in doing so, expel the air from tike iungs and swallow water. Insensibility soon occurs, and they disappear, never, perhaps, to rise again inless brought to the surface by a rescuer. The general belief that u drowning person must rise three times before uc linally sinks is a fallacy. Whether he

rises at all or how often ho does so entirely depends upon the accidental mettlilod of his struggling. He may happen. to struggle in such a way that his actions may keep him bobbing up to the surface, or, on the other hand, his struggles may take him quickly towards the bottom. As these accidents mostly occur close in shone, and the person is soon brought to land, a few words of advice as to treatment may be of interest to many who, although unable to swim, may yet be of service in saving I a life by applying promptly and ellicicntly the correct method of restoring animation by the introduction of fresh ail to the lunffs. as directed in the liand-

book of the Koy-al Life-saving Society. The new method of restoring the ajjparently dead, either from drowning, suffocation, or electrical shock, devised by iProfessor of Edinburgh University, is extremely simple and ea.-y to learn; it is conducted as follows: 1. Immediately a person is lifted o.it of the water lose no tinrc in attempting artiiieial respiration, as every instant of delay is serious. 2. If breathing has teased place the

patient face downwards and turn the face either to the right or left, so that the mouth and nose do not touch liu'ground. 3. Place yourself at the side of the patient. in a kneeling position, facing his head with your hands Hat in tile small of his back., the thumbs nearly touching ami tire lingers spread out on each side of the body over the lowest ribs, 4. Lean forward over tlvc patient and steadily produce a firm downward pressure, which must not be violent. Then

release all pressure bv swinging backward without lifting the hands from the body. Repeat tliis pressure and relaxation of pressure every four or live seconds without any marked pause between the movements, until natural respiration is resumed. Note. —When the downward pressure is applied the foul air in the lungs is pressed out, and immediately pressure is released fresh air takes its place. In this way an exchange of air is clVc;-lcd in the lungs liv artiiieial means similar to the wav in which we breathe naturally.

(i. "Wlii'ii natural breathing is established cease the prosstiiro and nn-pres-sure movements, turn tin; patient faee upwards and ininivdutely promote warmth hy friction over the surface of I lie hotly. As soon as possible remove the patieni hi the nearest house.and put him to hod. ar,d apply healed llannel-. water hollies, etc.. to various parts of llle hodv. See that the room is well ventilated and prevent persons crowding round. Jn all send for medical assistance as sunn ;;s possible.!

If these simple instructions are observed many of those who seem dead when lifted out of the water may Inrevived, and if tliese few words of advice are noted they may lye of assistance to those present at an accident, and 'enable Ihent to rrivt- timely help. In conclusion, may I 1 express the hope thai the art of swimming, the h>'st method in rendering aid to the drowning and struggling person in the water, how to free oneself if clutehcd. and how ! io restore the apparent I v drowned, should he taught in every 'school. \\V have the system of instruction: all. therefore, that is needed is a general desire on the part, of l.he scholastic authorities to impart, tii; l knowledge, and so diminish tile annual loss of be- I '.ween 2000 ami 3000 lives liv drown'iiL' I in this country.