Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-15
SAVING PERSON FROM DROWNING

+" HERE are chroncled every sum-
ing accidents which plunge thou
\ mer a long list of fatal drowning
sands into mourning, and the pity of IL
is that a little ordinary knowledge OF
workmanship and ordinary care might
have prevented most of them. To ig-
norance or carelessness in entering and
leaving a boat or while in it; to ven
turing in open water unprepared, and
to neglect of the rudimentary principles
of workmanship can be traced half the
recorded fatalities.
No one should ever take out rowing
persons who do not know how to swim
without first ascertaining that TIE boat
is safe and seaworthy and provided
with the necessary paraphernalia for
eyentualities 1t is when one least
expects it that accidents occur writes
L. deb. Handley in the special vacation
number of Recreation, and the only
way to avoid themiis to be prepared at
all times. stout bow-line, enough
life preservers to go around, an ancho",
something to bale with and an extra
pair of oars should be carried on prin-
ciple You may not need them ninety
nine times out of a hundred, but on
that hundredth time they may mean
life or death.%
In getting into a boat one should
try to step right into the bottom over
the keel or if this is too great a
reach on to the middle of the seat and
then sit down. Stepping on the gun
vale has been responsible for num-
berless capsizings, and it is a good idea
when inexperienced people are en-
barking to take hold of the boat and
steady it. Enter if possible where you
intend to sit, and in such a manner
that you will not have to turn after
ward.
NH ta nil fn1
evenly as possible in small boat, with
slight preference to the stern. If the
bow is buried the least head swell will
flood the boat, and if the stern is too
deep a following sea may swamp it.
In making a landing one should ap-
proach at an angle, shipping the in
ward oar few yards away and round
ing up by backing with the outward
one. 1t is dangerous to stretch out
over the gunwale to reach for float
or pier. In landing the person in the
bow should be first. taking the bow
line with him and steadying the boat
for the others.
I will not insult the intelligence of
the reader by advising against rocking
the boat or indulging in like idiotic
skylarking. One must be decidedly
lacking in gray matter to choose such
paStimeS. There are certain rules
about ones behavior in small craft,
however, which should be kept con-
stantlv in mind. For instance, should
it be necessary for two people to
change places they should keep well
over the keel until ready to pass each
other and then, standing face to face,
move to either side simultaneously that
the boat may not lose its balance. Also,
whether in picking up anything from
the water. or in helping a swimmer, it
is advisable to use the stern and not
the side.
When a boat is capsized do not try
to climb into it again. 1t will sustain
you easily if you just lean on it. as will
any fair-sized piece of wreckage like an
oar, a spar or a board, but attempt
to climb over them and they will surely
sink with you. And speaking about
this, when you are being helped or
towed, do not hang over your rescuer
or boat with bent arms. as this draws
the body up and offers great resistance.
Outstretched arms will increase your
chances of getting ashore