New-York tribune., 1901-06-11
FIRST AID TO THE DROWNING.
FEW PRACTICAL THINGS THAT EVERY
BATHER OUGHT TO KNOW


This is the season when First Aid TO the IN
| tured" should be the textbook of the intending
| vacationist and first of the first aids ought to
| come instructions in regard to resuscitatins the
| luckess bather who is unconscious seemingly
dead incidentally, it is a good idea to know what
TO do IL ones self is in danger of drowning
| In the latter case, il you have gone beyond your
| depth and cannot swim the first thing is to say
| and feel, Mouth up hands down. Turn instantly
| on the back, throwing the head backward so as to
| elevate the chin and keep the of your
mouth Keep the lungs full by taking deep breaths
/ and exhaling only when compelled 10 do So and
| then let the exhalation be as rapid as possible
keeping the hands under water will assist the
body to float, but to them in the air is fatal
| one who cannot swim should never go into the
water without briefiy running these rules in
| his mind
When trying to save another from drowning the
| swimmer should be careful to approach him from
| behind, otherwise he is likely, in his terror, to
| clutch his rescuer around the neck and perhaps
! drag both down to death II he is not frantic
! through fear he may be directed to clasp his
| hands behind your neck that you can swim with
him in front of you, which is much easier or he
may put his hands your shoulders, behind
! you, leaving you perfectly free.
If the person seems to be dead when brought
| TO shore, the first step is 10 send for doctor.
blankets, dry clothes and stirulants. Then, with
out waiting for their arrival. loosen the clothing
about the body, its stomach and lift, with
a jerking motion, several times. holding by the
waist, that the head hangs down This empties
the water from the lungs
Next the victim on his back with a rolled
blanket under his shoulders letting the head touch
the ground. and with handkerchief wrapped
around the finger, wipe the mouth and back of
the throat
II breathing has begun by this time apply
smelling salts to the if any are at hand or
tickle the nose with a feather straw, dash
cold water on the chest. slap the chest smartly
with the open hand. II these simple means fail
artificial respiration must be tried.
Placing the patient his back before directed,
draw the tongue forward, out of the mouth.
bystander hold it with a handkerchief or other
dry cloth II only the rescuer present the tongue
must be tied against the lower teeth. To do this
lay the centre Of dry strip Of cloth the tongue
which must be drawn well forward. it under
the chin. carry the ends around the neck and tie
half inch from the tip leaving 1t of equal length
lower lips. This sounds harsh. but the patient is
Sd H course, lnsenS9ie to pain and the tonsue must
vent restoration.
Kneel behind the patients head grasp him by
wrists and lraw his arms up and over his head
until his hands touch the ground behind his head.
back until they rest against the sides OF the chest
press the foTcarms firmly downward and inward
against the hest. for one second. Repeat these
two movements AT the rate Of sixteen times each
f a minute. until some effort IS made BY him to
breathe. Wait moment to see If he hreathes
deaEor TO time them by his efforts 10 breathe:
ASain resort, at this time 10 ammonia, dashes OF
cold water and slapping until respiration is estab
hshed At the same time place hot water bottles
or warm bricks along each side OF the body and
Artificial respiration should be continued for an
hour and a half. even though there should he
that period mas eve" ~''e'
As soon as the patient can swallow give him hot
tea or coffee whiskey In hot water. in tea spoon
ful doses. and If there Is persistent difficulty in
breathing apply large mustard plaster 70 the