The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-09-14
How Not to Drown.

AT this season Of the, year deaths by
drowning are painfully common. One
can scarcely look in n 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 a"tonishng 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
or two, say piece foot square and
one inch thick, is enough when proper
" 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 foat the head in this wav
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.
ke-ting one finger on it isquite us serv-
tceabe as to grasp it with the hand, and
much more SO 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 Oil mat 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 propellcrs, and
even one who cannot swim at all can
make considerable progress in this wav.
AN ordinary char is sufficient to sustain
TWO or three persons when properly
used. bat will prove of little service to
one who endeavors to make q raft of il,
"a knowledge Of the fact that water
Is ouoyant, and a little scif-possession
OF presence of mind will often
serve as well or better than q
Khowiedge of swimming, and this
knoWledge should be given to everv
CHI q: Try it with one, and see how
readily he will learn to support himself
and propel himself over water by means
or small Piece of board, 1t is natural
Tor persons in water to ondeayor TO oet
themselves entirely out of it, and in
cases where boats are overturned we
nnd their passengers endeavorino to
c!mo upon them Tor safety, forgettino,
II Ihey eyer knew, that boat is connie
tehC 10 support moro people in the
yv water than it will carry when upright,
4nere Is usually a little warning before
ooat capsizcs, and every one should
ehueaVor to keep hold of Somethnp-a
rope Perhaps-bv which their connec-
uon with the boat may be maintained,
a
HSeI'' not to climb on it unless the boat !
Is large, or the, number of possenmorS
small but to support themselves Until
nelp comes, be it a longer or shorter
time. i0A' 'ol
All boats, large or small, should carry
coRsidcrab!e floating material in the way
vi seats, loose flooring, etc, that NAV
prove OF service in cases of emergency.
MANY nves are lost in consequence of
he panic that usually ensues when an
dccldent happens on the water. All
VINO cannot swim, and sometimes those
VINO can, try to seize the first thino
within their reach, which often happenS
10 10 pe person as frightened and help
Iess as.themselves, and the result too
o!cen Is the drowning of MANY who
NM With little thoughtfulness not
only nave saved themselves, but have
.peen or assistance TO others. If YOU
ever ma yourself suddenly precipitate6
INTO the water, the probability is that
you will go under but if YOU win keen
your mouth shut and feet and hands
under you will be sure to come rp head
nrst' and II you are not too badly scared
the chances are that you will find some
tning 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.
IN \. San. r.. q