Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1905-06-02
ACCIDENTS IN THE WATER
When the Lungs Are Filled with Wa.
ter There Is Small hope OF
Reconstruction.

nthcant 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 gocS
swimmer may be seized with cramp al
any moment and sink before help ar
rives, may die IN q faint or from shock
OF quickly choke for want OF air. Bare
iy two minutes is sufficient to settle ths
question OF life or death when body ID
submerged. Hence 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 1875
per cent. OF drowned persons die the mo-
ment they become immersed from other
causes than simple suffocation. la such
cases death may result from mechanic
al injuries. conclusion. shock. faintness
apcplexy or cold. For these evidently nc
ready help is Of any avail. Contrary TO
the general belief. also. only 25 per cent
of the remaining SIS per cent actually
die directly OF asphyxia pure and simple
The remaining causes are usually COM
plicRted 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 hu-
man body is but a trifie heavier than wa
ter and that the smallest amount of
buoying power is necessary to make IL
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 I'm the water
and the man who writes directions on
| dry land. The real assurance against the
usual fatality OF such accidents is the
ready help in the emergency-the life
preserver on shipbOard and the life saver
on shore. 1t 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
/ Tor tho navy Is calculated TO support rs
pounds and the American belt "a. These
are supposed to buoy not only the wear
! er, 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 air-tight appliances under
the seats which can be used In some
sense by large numbers as miniature
floating 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 the
skill and judgment OF the rescuers. No
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
|
long 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 unayailing.
What is known as Sylvester's method
or artificial respiration is generally con-
sidered the best for resuscitation after
immersion. It's great advantages are
It's simplicity, ease of application and its
general effectiveness. Amy person of or
binary intelligence may apply 1t, and
thus make good use of precious time I'M
I'll skilled medical assistance can be pro-
cured.
After clearing the mouth and nostrils
OF froth. grasping and pulling the tongue
forward, the patient is placed upon his
back with shoulders raised. The restora-
ton OF breathing is effected by grasping
the arms above the elbows and drawing
them upward until they meet above the
head, keeping them there for two sec
onds then bringing them to the side of
the chest and pressing the elbows
against the ribs gently and firmly for two
seconds more. BY such means the air
is allowed to enter the expanded chest
and to escape afterward when the com
preston is made
These movements are to be alternately
and deliberately repeated Is times in =
minute until a spontaneous effort to re-
spire Is perceived. So much having been
accomplished, the principal aims should
be TO restore the general circulation and
give warmth to the body. The victim
should be wrapped in blankets the limbs
should be rubbed upward, hot water bags
should be applied to the pit OF the stom-
ach. and when he is able to swallow some
warm water or brandy should be admin
istered.
If single life in the number of drown
Ing accidents that are to be can be saved
by such means II will more than Justify
the publication OF an emergency treat
ment that mught be suggestive to other
wise frantic and resourceless helpers in
their hour OF greatest anxiety.