The Wrangell sentinel., 1931-07-17
FIRST AID MEASURES

Recent press dispatches carried word of a man at Laurel Lake, New Jersey, believed to have been drown ed after five minutes at the bottom of the lake, who is alive and well today.
 For nine hours physicians and nurses made efforts to revive him aI- though heart and pulse seemed to have stopped and his body was blue with cold. He was wrapped in blan- kets lined with hot water bottles, and given hypodermics. Inhalators were used and after nine hours of treat ment he sighed and opened his eyes.
 This brings to mind the efforts that were made in Wrangell about five years ago to provide for the rescue and resuscitation of persons falling into the water.
 Charles Benjamin brought the matter before the Red Cross point ing out that Wrangell though built along a winding waterfront where water accidents were likely to oc cur, had made no provision to take care of such cases. A person could fall into the water, he said, and drown while people were running around trying to locate a pike pole or length of rope to throw to him.
 The Red Cross then bought a Lungmotor to have in readiness for resuscitation of cases not only from drowning, but suffocation from gas boats or at fires. The equip ment was first placed in the Wran gell hotel, that being central point and accessible at night, but was later taken to the fire hall where it is now located. During the past few years local physicians have donated their services toward furthering first aid knowledge. Dr. Clark who was here when the Lung motor was purchased, gave several demonstrations in his office of how 1t should be used. Later, pr. Ed wards met with the firemen at one of their meetings and not only showed the members present how to use the Lungmotor, but also demon strated first aid treatment for va rious accidents. Dr. Turner is this week testing out the Lungmotor to see if it is still in good condition and will take up first aid work soon with the firemen.
 At the time the Lungmotor was received the Red Cross also arranged for a couple of pike poles to be placed on a building at the head of the city float back of the Wrangell Hotel. MT. Benjamin donated a glass case in which he placed 8 coil of rope with an iron ring at one end. Above the case he put a printed sign calling attention to the purpose of the rope. The pike poles are at the right hand side of the rope.
 That mems minds run in differ ent channels was evidenced when it was discovered that the glass had been broken and the rope stolen one man takes thought of the well fare of his fellow man; another is predatory, thinking only of his de- sires and besides being a thief was a potential murderer, because the theft of that rope might have meant a death by drowning.
 Seemingly, the only provisions for aid in water accidents along all ot Wrangells waterfront are the two pike poles and the coil of rope at the one float. Surely there should be twenty such emergency aids instead of one.
 A very real danger from drowning exists at the city float because of it's darkness. A city light is on the dock at the head of the float but its rays are of little help to one down on the float where a light is badly needed.
 It is not enough to provide more lights along the waterfront to pre- vent accidents and more aids to make possible a quick rescue of per sons from the water, but there should be a general knowledge disseminated on what to do after a rescue is made from the water.