The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-07-31
MORE DROWN|NCS
IN JULY, AUGUST
NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL Is
SUES WARNINGS ON WATER
HAZARDS-ALSO METHODS OF
PRONE PRESSURE RESUSCITA-
TION.


United States reach their peak during
July and August and on some days
rival the motor vehicle as cause of
death, says the National Safety Coun-
Gil.
According to the most accurate in
formation now available there were 1879
drownings over the Fourth of July
weekend holiday as compared with
118 auto deaths. While these figures
will probably be revised on receipt Of
complete records, they indicate the
seriousness of the drowning problem,
says the Council.
Fatal water accidents take a toll Of
5000 lives annually, and 81 per cent Of
these drowningS occur during the
four months from May to August.
Drowning is distinctly a hazard of
young men. Nearly half of all drown
ings involve males under Is years of
age.
Hot weather, vacation trips, fishing
and boating excursions are obviously
responsible for the rising toll in July
and August. The Council suggests the
following precautions as an aid to
greater safety during the vacation:
Learn to swim at a supervised pool
or beach.
Don't overestimate your ability to
swim long distances.
Don't rock the boat" or change
seats in a canoe while in deep water.
Should your boat capsize far from
shore, hang on to the boat and shout
for help. Don't try to swim to shore
unless you are positive you can make
it.
Don't go swimming alone.
Don't let children swim at unsuper-
vised beaches.
Don't dive into water of unknown
depth.
Don't 60 into. water too soon after a
meal.
Learn prone pressure resuscitation
the most successful procedure lay
man can know for saving the life Of
a person who has apparently drowned
Here is the approved method of
procedure. Practice it. The know
ledge may come in handy.
l. Lay the patient on his stomach,
one arm extended directly overhead,
the other bent at elbow. with face
turned outward and resting on hand
so that nose and mouth are free for
breathing.
2. Kneel straddling the patients
thighs with your knees placed at such
a distance from the hip bones as will
allow you to assume a comfortable
working position over the patient.
Place the palms of the hands on the
small Of the back with fingers resting
on the ribs, the little finger just touch
ing the lowest rib, with thumbs and
fingers In natural position, and the
tips of the fingers just out of sight.
8. With arms held straight swing
forward slowly so that the weight of
your body Is gradually brought to bear
upon the patient. The shoulder should
be directly over the heel of the hand
at the end Of the forward swing. Do
not bend elbows. The operation should
take about two seconds.
4. Now swing backward so as to
completely remove the pressure. Then
repeat the operation regularly, timing
it to about twelve to fifteen times
minute.
S. Continue without interruption
until natural breathing is restored.
Patients have been brought back to
consciousness after four hours work.
6. An assistant should loosen cloth
ing about the patients neck, chest and
arms as soon as resuscitation starts.
7. Keep patient warm. Do not give
any liquids whatever until patient Is
conscious.
8. To avoid heart strain patient
should be kept lying down after re-
covery. If the odctor hasn't arrived
upon recovery patient should be given
some stimulant, such as one teaspoonful
Of aromatic spirits of ammonia in small
glass Of water, or hot drink of tea or
coffee.
9. The work should be done imne-
diately at nearest possible point to
where patient receives injuries. He
should not be removed until breathing
Is normal and he is fully recovered.
The treatment is to be used in gas
or electrocution cases as well as
drowning.
Try it now-and teach others. You
may find that it pays to know how.