Evening journal., 1909-06-23
TO RESCUE
THE DROWNING

The annual advice to those who go
go near the water either with or with
out knowing how to swim is now in
order. Some expert information on
how TO deal with the drowning Is af-
forded by Recreation. which cautions
wouId-be saviors against attempting d
rescue fully dressed.
1t takes but an instant TO remove
your outer clothing and Shoes says
the writer. "and this will more than be
made up by your being able TO swim
faster in getting TO him and frcer in
carrying him ashore. Proceed imme-
diately TO undrcss and while so doing
think fast.
"Of course my advice TO be deliberate
IS not intended 10 mean that you should
I lose any time. ] have known men TO
wait after the person in danger had
disappeared from sight. under the i'm
preston that a drowning person comes
to the surface three times. That ira
dition is senseless and has been re-
sponsible for many fatalites.s
/ "A drowning man may rise a dozen
times or go under once and never be
seen again; there is no telling Make
up your mind, therefore. that when a
head sinks the situation is critical and
not a second should be lost II the
, body Is visible under the water there Is
no difficulty in securing it. but il the
water is muddy, more especially If a
tide or current is running, use iudg-
ment, for you will need all your facul-
ties to be successful.
Take your first dive from a point
above where the body has last been
seen, or bubbles have indicated its DO
sition, and work down stream. Thus
You will not tire bucking the current
knor will you miss the body il il has
lcaught some submerged obstacle; while
If it is free you will soon overtake II
by swimming.
ION reaching il If under water trs
to seize the clothing at the back Of tn,
neck: in the absence Of these lift b,
the armpits, the chin or the hair. Il
the bottom is rocky or sandy, and yot
are near IT, take a good pushoff. but Il
the water is too deep or the bottom sof
and muddy swim TO the surface, usinl
legs and free arm.
Nov before describing how to carr,
a victim ashore IL will be well I,
touch on the most dangerous phase o
life saving, the rescue Of persons made
frantic by fear.
'Water polo players have recent,
developed a system Of breaks and hold
that has been adopted by scientific lif
savers and has been OF invaluable as
/, sistanco to them. Its most simple fea
lures are within reach OF any one am
- viii enable you TO handle even In
;. worst cases with comparative safety.
In approaching a struggling persol
do so warily and II possible from tn
back. II he shows any intention O
grabbing wildly keep him or with you
foot until you can seize one Of hi
wrists. In doing this use the righ
: hand for the right wrist and the left 10
y the left.
e ION securing a hold swing him quick
~ around and throw your free arr
around his neck. This places him /
= your power. and no matter how h
r struggles you viii be able to carry hii
5, in safety.
, Another good way advocated h
e. water polo players is TO approach III
e. man boldly. and as soon as he lifts h
, arm 10 clutch you to plant your ope
hand squarely under his armpit. allo
yourself TO sink, turning your boo
outwardly, and then showing him ov
you come 20 the surface IF this
: done correctly you will nnd yourse
= behind him. looking at the back OF
head. when It viii be an easy matt
o. to place on him any hold YOU want.
4, professional life savers often re
- ommend splashing water IN the IA
OF a struggling person on the groui
that it makes him turn from YOU. \
experience has been that It only
n creases his terror and excitement
'n Leg holds are the great fear Of ii
TO savers. Let a powerful man encirc
rs you with his legs and nine times out