Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-19
DANGERS OF SKATING AND HOW
TO AVOID THEM.


A skater should use good Judgment
in venturing upon the ice. in the frs,
place. and be careful that it is suif
GENTLY strong to bear the weight and
should watch the increase of numbers
that he or she may retire before dan
ger ensues. When Swimming along.
if the skater should suddenly come
upon rotten ice he should not stop.
but should pass over it as rapidly as
possible. If one should fall upon the
ice where it is weak, no attempt should
be made to stand or walk on it. but
one should roll lengthwise toward the
firmer part. In doing this the weight
is distributed over a considerable sur
face and ice which would not support
fifty pounds in one spot will easily
hear in this manner person weighing
upwards of 200 pounds.
AS a matter of protection when
skating where there is apt to be dan
ger of falling through the ice. II
would be we'll to carry n stick or pole
which may prove of inestimable value
in an emergency. A stick is excellent
company when gliding over the ice
and it has proved on hundreds of oc.
casionS an efficient life preserver
Should the skater fall into n hole. the
pole Or stick may be extended across
il. and he will have something to hold
to until assistance arrives. If he has
no stick he may extend his arms ho,i
Zontally across the edge of the ice unit
extended.
-,
selves and then sunk and We're
drowned through their futile efforts to
Chamber up on the ice when otherwise
they would have been saved if little
judgment and patience We're exercised.
In getting upon the ice from the water.
don't struggle frantically to Chamber
up on the ice; select some spot where
the ice is strongest, and after taking a
firm hold. call for assistance. If there
be no one at hand to render aid. get
your body in a horizontal position. as
close to the surface as possible. and
impel yourself forward vigorously. In
this way you may be able to slide over
the edge and on to the ice where 1t is
stronger. and make your way, seal
fashion. to safety. This is the most
practical method known when one is
in extreme danger. and the results
have been most satisfactory.
To those who may wish to rescue
one from drowning who has fallen
through the ice. a wooden plank is
most servioeable. Even though the ice
be desperately thin. man with pres
ence of mind may be able to make a
great distance over it by the proper
use of n plank or board, and, if he
should fall into the water. the buoyant
plank would make an excellent life
preServer.
When severaI persons are willing to
assist in the rescue of drowning
skater. a human lifeline may be
formed by them by lying down and
catching hold of one another's feet
one behind the other and then sliding
backwards to the person in danger.
The one in peril may then take hold
of the feet extended to him and may
be drawn from the water to safety by
the others. This method has been en-
ployed most successfully on many oc-
caSions.
AS soon as a person is taken from
the water the wet clothing should be
removed at once and if suffering from
the cold. spoonful of brandy in hot
water should be administered. Rub
thoroughly dry. exciting circulation OF
the blood. and then put him in bed.
Prostitute frequently results from
sudden and involuntary bath in the
winter plunge through the ice as
we'll as from exposure to severe cold.
The vitality of the part affected is re-
duced to very low point. loses its
natural color. and becomes blue or
purple. For its treatment, reaction
should be brought about gradually by
friction. Place the afflicted person in =
room without a fire and avoid heat.
Rub the part, or parts, with snow or
other cold application, and administer
brandy and water in small quantities. .
If a person be insensible from the
cold he must be kept away from the
heat. Remove the clothing and rub
thoroughly with snow or cloths wrunG
cut in cold water. Continue the fric-
ton especially to the extremities until
signs OF recovery appear. Artihclal