Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1905-06-09
ACCIDENTS IN THE WATER
When the Lungs Are Filled with Wa
ter There Is Small Hope OF
Reconstruction

niicant and appalling. Every day We
hear Of them. says the New York Herald
Some occur to bathers. others TO boating
parties. and still others to such as acct
dentally fall overheard. Even the good
swimmer may be seized with cramp al
any moment and sink before help ar
rives. may die In a faint or from shock
or quickly choke for want OF air. Bare
ly two minutes Is sufficient to settle the
question OF life or death when body Is
submerged. Fence everything must
bend to the question OF quick rescue
When the lungs become loaded with wa
ter by the gulping efforts Of the strug-
gler there Is usually small hope of resus-
citation.
1t is estimated, however. that fully 12.s
per cent. OF drowned persons die the mo-
ment they become immersed from other
causes than simple suffocation. In such
cases death may result from mechanic
al injuries. conclusion. shock. faintness,
apoplexy or cold. For these evide emily nc
ready help is OF any avail. Contrary &c
the general belief. also, only % per cent
of the remaining S7.5 per cent. actually
die directly Of asphyxia pure and simple
The remaining causes are usually COM
plicated and modified by one or other OF
the conditions named
A correspondent OF the Herald recently
gave some excellent alvice TO the pros
pective drowning man by urging the ne
cessity Of GOODNESS in the face of death
But the truth is. no one can be trusted to
act calmly when gasping for air The
best swimmer loses control OF himself
under such circumstances. When he be-
gins TO struggle he Is lost
1t is quite true that the submerged hui
man body is but trifie heavier than wa
ter and that the smallest amount OF
buoying power is necessary to make II
float. With the mouth closed and the
breath held. the slightest wave OF the
hand or kick OF the feet may be all that
is necessary TO bring the chin above the
water, but in order to accomplish this
the victim must maintain his presence
OF mind. be calm in his calculations and
have faith in the outcome of his efforts.
Ordinarily all this is impossible on its
face, which makes every difference in
the world between the man in the water
and the man who writes directions on
dry land. The real assurance against the
I
ready help in the emergency-the life
preserver on shipboard and the life saver
on shore. II is estimated by various au-
thorities that the actual weight OF an
adult body in water varies from four to
ten pounds. The English life saving belt
for the navy is calculated to support %
pounds and the American belt "a. These
are supposed to buoy not only the wear
CT, but another who may need his help.
With such apparatus the victim can be
safe for hours. In England many of the
excursion boats are furnished with set
tees having alright appliances under
the seats which can be used I'm some
sense by large numbers as miniature
noating RATS. But what can be said for
our General Slocums and Grand Repub-
lies, whose life preservers are not only
found to be rotten. but on testing have
been shown actually TO sink OF their own
weight?
When an insensible victim is taken
from the water much will depend on tho
skill and judgment OF the rescuers. Nc
time is TO be lost in the efforts at resus-
citation. The main objects are to clear
the lungs Of water and fill them with air
by Initiating the respiratory efforts. Sc
'ong as any sign OF life remains such en-
beavers should be patiently persistent
even for hours. before all hope IS aban-
doned. After cessation OF the hearts ac-
ton all treatment is unavailing.
What is known as Sylvester's method
OF artificial respiration is generally con
sidered the best for resuscitation after
immersion. It's great advantages are
its simplicity. ease OF application and IL:
general effectiveness. Any person of or.
binary intelligence may apply Il. ant
thus make good use OF precious time un.
I'll skilled medical assistance can be pro
cured.
After clearing the mouth and nostril.
Of froth, grasping and pulling the tongu,
forward, the patient is placed upon hi.
back with shoulders raised. The restora
ton OF breathing is effected by graspin,
the arms above the elbows and drawn,
them upward until they meet above tn,
head, keeping them there for two sec
onds then bringing them to the side o
the chest and pressing the elbow
against the ribs gently and firmly for tw,
seconds more. BY such means the al
is allowed to enter the expanded ches
AND TO escape afterward when the com
preston is made.
| These movements are TO be alternatel,
and deliberately repeated Is times ia
minute until spontaneous effort to re
spire is perceived. So much having beel
accomplished, the principal aims shout,
be TO restore the general circulation an,
give warmth to the body The victim
should be wrapped in blankets. the limb
should be rubbed upward, hot water bag
, should be applied to the pit of the stom
ach. and when he is able to swallow som
warm water or brandy should be admin
istered.
IL single life in the number of drown
] ing accidents that are to be can be save
BY such means it will more than jugtif
the publication of an emergency treat
ment that mught be suggestive to other
wise frantic and resourceless helpers 4
their hour OF greatest anxiety