The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-10-04

a summer. nearly 400 children between the ages Of four
and Is were taught how to take care Of themselves in the
water. 1t is said that. infants of the South Sea Islands crawl
into the water and learn to swim like a dog.
1t goes without saying that many lives would be saved
if the Schaefer prone-pressure method of artificial respira-
ton were more generally understood by swimmers. Many
persons who have been submerged for brief periods are not
actually dead when removed from water. although tie
apparent indications of life. such as breathing and pulse.
are absent.
A definite statement cannot be made with regard to the
length of time the body may be deprived of air by sub
mersion before death actually occurs. but it is likely that
in the case OF a healthy person the vital organs might be
restored by proper treatment after a submersion of from
II to IS minutes. Such a period has been exceeded in at
least two cases vouched for by the American Red Cross.
The treatment of an apparently drowned person should
begin the moment the body is removed from the water.
Rescuers should not be influenced by the appearance of
death. as the treatment can do no harm. and if the victim
has been under the water only a few, minutes, his life may
be saved.
Rolling the victim on a barrel or the use Of similar
methods to emit water that may have been swallowed are
method Of artificial respiration. If the patients mouth can
be opened easily. it is advisable to feel in it and the throat
quickly. to remove any object: lodged there. but if the mouth
is tightly closed. no attention need be paid to this matter
until later. # the body Is clothed. it is unnecessary to stop
to loosen the. clothing. Rather proceed at once with the
artificial respiration. as every second of delay is serious.
DEFINITE instructions on the prone-pressure method
may be given as follows:
Lay the patient face downward. with one arm ex-
tended forward beyond the head. The other arm should
be bent at the elbow. and the head turned to one side 80
that the cheek will rest on the forearm OF hand and the
mouth and nose will be entirely free for breathing.
kneel as,1;de the patients thighs with your knees just
below his hip bones. Place the palms Of your hands on the
small Of his back. with your fingers resting on his ribs-ths
little finger Of each hand just touching the lowest rib.
Then. with arms held firm and straight lido not bend the
arms at The elbows9. slowly swing your body forward (sud-
den and violent application may cause internal injuries). %
that your weight bears upon the patients back-thus fore
ing the air out of his lungs. The operator shoulders should
be directly over the heels of his hands at the end Of the
forward swing. Time this movement to consume from two
to three seconds. Then swing quickly back into your original
kneeling position. thereby removing the pressure and allow
ing fresh air to enter the lungs.
After an interval Of two seconds. repeat the entire oper-
ation-hus allowing four OF FIVE seconds for a compIets
cycle of respiration. The movements can be timed BY your
own natural breathing.
The treatment should be continued without interruption
until the patient breathes naturally (f necessary. for four
hours or longer) or until it becomes certain that further
efforts are useless.
II an, assistant is present he should loosen any tight
clothing about the patients neck. chest or waist as soon a.
the resuscitation treatment has started. Keep the patient a.
warm as possible. Never give any liquids whatever By the
mouth. until the patient has fully resained consciousness.
When the patient rcvives he may struggle to stand up
or sit up. Every effort should be made, however. to keep
him quiet and to have him remain lying down. At this time
(f a physician has not aniyed) some stimulant may be
given to the patent-for example. one teaspoonful of aro-
matte spirits Of ammonia in a small glass OF water.