St. Landry democrat., 1882-09-02
How Not to Drown.

At this season of the year deaths ov
drowning are painfully common. One
can scarcely look in newspaper with
out seeing a record of several, the re-
suit Of careleSsness, accident, or ignor-
ance and to the latter cause may be
probably ascribcd the greater number
1t is astonishing to see how little is
known of the buoyancy of the human
body. Until the lungs are filled with
water, it is easily supported In still
water piece of pine wood of sufficient
size to support the weight of pound
OF two, say piece loot square and
one inch thick, is enough when proper
ly used to keep ones head above water;
and when the head is safe, no fears
need be had for the rest of the body
OF course to float the head in this way
the body must be submerged, and this
is the first rule to be observed when in
the water. Keep under as much as
possible, only be careful to have the
breathing apparatus, mouth and nose,
in the air, and the mouth even may be
immersed for some time without incon-
venience.
The use to be made of the small piece
of wood above spoken of is merely to
aid in keeping the head above water.
Resting one finger on it is quite as serv-
ceable as to grasp it with the hand, and
much more 50 than to use both hands.
1t should be remembered that anything
weighs more out of than in water, hands
and feet being no exceptions. This
piece of pine would prove of little use
should one attempt to sit on it, while it
is all that is necessary to prevent one
from drowning if properly used. With
the head supported by using one hand
or one finger, the other hand and the
feet may be used as propellers, and
even one who cannot swim at all can
make considerable progress in this way.
An ordinary chair is sufficient to sustain
two or three persons when properly
used. but will prove of little service to
one who endeavors to make q raft OF it.
A knowledge of the fact that water
is buoyant, and little self-possession
or presence of mind will often
serve as we'll or better than a
knowledge of swimming. and this
knowledge should be given to every
child. Try it with one, and see how
readily he will learn to support himself
and propel himself over water by means
of small piece Of board, 1t is natural
for persons in water to endeavor to get
themselves entirely out of it. and in
cases where boats are overturned we
find their passengers endeavoring to
climb upon them for safety. forgetting,
if they ever knew, that a boat is compe-
tent to support more people in the
water than it will carry when upright.
There is usually little warning before
boat capszes, and every one should
endaavor to keep hold of something-a
rope, perhaps-by which their connec-
ton with the boat may be maintained,
and as soon as possible seize the boat
ITSELF not to climb on it unless the boat
is large, or the number of passengers
small, but to support themselves until
help comes, be it longer or shorter
time.
All boats, large or small should carry
considerable floating material in the way
of seats, loose flooring, etc. that may
prove of service in cases of emergency.
Many lives are lost in consequence of
the panic that usually ensues when an
accident happens on the water. All
who cannot swim, and sometimes those
who can. try to seize the first thing
within their reach, which often happens
to be a person as frightened and help
less as themselves. and the result too
often is the drowning of many who
might with a little thoughtfuIness not
only have saved themselves, but have
been of assistance to others. II you
ever find yourself suddenly precipitateC
into the water, the probability is that
you will 60 under but if you will keep
your mouth shut and feet and hands
under, you will be sure to come up head
first, and if you are not too badly scared
the chances are that you will find some
thing to seize. With self-control and
the knowledge we are trying to give
you, there are ninety-nine chances in
every hundred against your drowning.