The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-07-20

How to revive victims or
 water accidents is clearly out
 fined by Olive Roberts Barton
 in the accompanying article.
 It is another in her series on
 Summer Accidents.
 It is amazing in this day and age how many people are completely helpless in case of water accidents. Most children swim somewhere nowdays. How different from twenty years ago when most young sters were afraid to wet their toes.
 Children learn rules for first aid these days in school and camp, but comparatively, few adults are in- formed of the processes of getting water out of logged lungs, or en- couraging respiration after a near drowning accident. It is time to learn at least the rudiments of the procedure as there is no time to run for a book when such an event occurs.
 Artificial Breathing
 If a child is fished out of 8 creek or pool, to all appearances dead, the first thing to take for granted is that he is no such thing. Shout your lungs out for someone to get the nearest doctor, but act while you call. Pick up the child (if he is small enough to handle this way) by his feet and shake him to let the water run out or his lungs. Then lay him on the ground, on his stomach, with his | head turned to one side and hls l ia ws onen. Something soft and | flat may be put under his head. Retter so, Then take his elbows in your two hands and press them against his ribs, then raising his arms above his head. Repeat the movement regularly to stimulate breathing, This artificial breath ing must be done evenly, smooth lv and not too fast. About twenty times to the minute. Keep 1t up and do not get discouraged. The best position for the worker IS straddling the patient with botn knees on the ground, facing the head. Don't let people crowd around who are not needed 20 help. Tight clothes or panos should be loosened or cut, put oo not lose time fumbling, or talking. Everything must count. Ills iile is hanging on what you do.
 Reviving Adults
 l If the child is older and too big to he picked up by his heels 10 drain his lungs, use the method racticed with adults. Lay him stomach down on the ground, his face sideways, his arms outstretch- ed and fold a coat under his cnesc
 and abdomen to allow the water to run out of his mouth. If there is no coat don't wait to send TOT something. Roll up two or three bathing suits or anything handy l to give the needed elevation. DO not look for barrel. There won be any. Now straddle him, or IT easier put one knee between his legs. The knees should be even | with his hips or nearly so. Then place the palms of your two hands on the small of his back, fingers or ribs; Now swing your body | forward and press down. Keep elbows stiff As you bear down | your shoulders will be above your hands.
 Then quickly throw yourself back. Count a second or so anu 1 repeat the gesture. About fifteen times to the minute. It must be done rhythmically and regularly without interruption. When you are tired have someone ready on the instant to take your place with- out lost motion. Keep your head. Grimly determine that you are go- ing to save that life if it takes hours. It may take one, two or | three. Even four hours.
 | Give q Warm Drink
 By the time the doctor gets there the child will have had the needed start to recovery. You can leave the rest to the doctor, But l in case there is no doctor. give the child a drink of something warm and let him rest long long | time. His whole system has had a shock. Don't make him talk. It pays to practice the motion of pressure. The weight must he on the hands and at the right place. A squeezing but firm and slightly forward pressure that acts as a pump. Be careful, however. | that the weight of a heavy adult does not descend too suddenly or a delicate frame. No use curing one thing only to cause other | trouble.
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