Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-05-25
ACCIDENTS IN THE WATER.
When the Lungs Are Filled with Wa
ter There Is Small Hope Of
Resuscitation.

hCbQSNANobASAs
The readers of the daily press need mo-
be told that the number Of drowning ac'
cidents during the summer season is sig
nifcant and appalling. Every DAY VIZ
hear of them, says the New York. Herald
Some occur TO bathers, Others to boating
parties. and still others to such as acci'
Centally fall overheard. Even the good
swimmer may be seized with cramp al
any moment and sink before help ar
rives, may die in 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 Hence everything musl
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 ofresus-
citation.
II Is estimated. however, that fully 1875
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, faintnessi
apoplexy or cold. For these evidently nc
ready help is of any avail. Contrary to
the general belief, ALSO only 20 per cent
of the remaining S75 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 ne be-
gins to struggle he is lost
It is quite true that the submerged hui
man body is but triae 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
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
for the 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
by initiating the respiratory efforts. So
long as any sign of life remains such en-
deavors 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
of artificial respiration is generally con-
sidered the best for resuscitation after
immersion. It's great advantages are
its simplicity, ease of application and its
general effectiveness. Any person of or
binary. intelligence may apply it, and
thus make good use of precious time un-
til 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 graspng
the arms above the elbows and drawing
them upward until they meet above the
head, keeping them there for two sec
0nds 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 deliber tely repeated IS times in q
minute until a spontaneous effort to re-
spIe is perceived So much having been
accomplished, the principal aims should
be 20 restore the general circulation and
give warmth to the body. The victim
shcgld Be wrapped in blankets, the limbs
should be rubbed upward, hot water bag
should be applied to the pit of the stom-
ach, and when he is able tc swallow some
warm water or brandy should be admin
istered
If I single life in the number of drown
ing accidents that are to be can be saved
by such means it 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.