The Washington times., 1901-08-25
COLONEL JONES' ADVICE.
Don't Go Overheard, But In Case You
Do Follow Rules.

AS the waters are warming for summer
bathing and the summer visitors are gath
ering at the pleasure resorts on all our
rivers, lakes and coast watering places
for recreation and sport, will you not
kindly call public attention to a few i'm
portant points in reference to bathing,
boating, and swimming, which may awak-
en- caution and save many lives. and the
consequent misery to many homes.
First-Impress upon parents the neces-
sary duty of having their children taught
to swim. and to all young persons the
great Importance of knowing how to
swim. At every important place on the
water of this State our volunteer life
savers can be found to give them lessons
that may ultimately save their lives in
some unlocked for disaster-the ability to
even hold ones self up for few minutes
until help may come every year saves
many lives.
Second-Go out in no 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 an upset or collision.
Third-With party be sure you are all
properly and satisfactorily seated before
you leave the shore-particularly SO with
change seats mid-stream or to put a foot
on the edge or gunwale of the boat to
change seats. This, by roliicking girls,
has upturned many a boat and lost very
many ives every year in the waters Of
this State. Where the waters become
rough from a sudden 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 is
past If overturned a woman's skirts If
held out by her extended arms, while she
uses her feet as if climbing a stairs, will
often hold her up. while a boat may pull
out from the shore and save her A nom
swimmer, by drawing his arms up to his
sides and pushing down with widely eX
tended hands while stair climbing or
treading water with his feet, may hold
himself several minutes, often when a sim
gle minute means life or throwing out
the arms, dog fashion, forward, overland
and pulling in, as if reaching for some-
thing-that may bring him in reach of
help. One of our best swimmers upon the
Hudson got his first and best lesson by be-
ing capsized in midstream and compelled
suddenly to strike out thus for himself.
Fourth-ln rescuing drowning persons
seize them by the collar, back of the neck.
Do not let them throw their arms around
your neck or arms. If unmana geable, do
not strike them, but let them drop under
a moment until quiet; then tow them into
the shore. If unconscious, don't wait a
moment for a doctor or an ambulance,
but begin at once. First get the tongue
out. and hold it by a handkerchief or
stocking to let the water out. Get buoy.
box, or barrel under the stomach, or hold
him over your knee, head down, and jolt
the water out of him. Then turn him
over side to side four or five turns; then
txaa- hal
keep his arms a-going from pit to stom-
ach overhead to a straISnJ out and back
fourteen to sixteen times a minute IN
til signs OF returning life are shown. A
bellows movement on the stomach at the
same time is a great aid OF course you
will at first loose the collar and all bind
ing clothing. Let some one at once re-
move shoes and stockings. and at the
same time rub the lower limbs with an
upward movement from foot to knee, &C.
casionally slapping the soles of the feet
with the open hand. Working on these
lines, our volunteer life-savers have been
successful after two hours OF incessant
manipulation, but generally succeed in
side of thirty minutes. Spirits of ammonia
to the nostrils, or a feather tickling in the
throat often helps to quicken. but We
rarely need anything more than the above
mechanical means. Use no spirits inter
nally until after breathing and circulation
are restored, then moderate use of slim
ulants or hot teas and warm blanket
or bed is of the first Importance
The United States Volunteer Life-sav-
ing Corps of this State has distributed
several thousands of its illustrated
Rescue and Resuscitation Cards
through its life-saving members, and per
mail will furnish them to anyone on re-
ceipt of the cost of postage and mailing
tube, cents. But ii any of your readers
will cut out this article from your paper
and study its instructions. and carry it
with them. they will be able to meet any
emergencies that may occur upon the
waters.
Thanking you in advance for any aid
you may be able to give In extending
the usefulness of our volunteer life-saving
corps, L remain, for the board, very truly
yours. ]. WESLEY JONES.
President and General Superintendent
of the u. S. V. l.. S. c., for the sew
eral States.-R.ooklyn Times.