HOW TO TREAT DROWNED PERSONS.
Many persons are drowned every month, and almost every day. Hundreds
doubtless could be saved by a knowledge of the art of swimming, while
others could have been revived, had the proper means been used.
When any one believes he is drowning, he becomes frantic and his fierce
struggles only hasten his death. If a friend swims to his rescue, there
is danger that he will throw his arms around his rescuer and cause both
to drown.
[Illustration:
GOING TO THE RESCUE.]
If the person in danger will keep still, when his friend seizes his hair
or arm, he can readily be taken ashore. If a swimmer finds his sinking
friend frantic, it may be necessary to strike him a violent blow between
the eyes so as to stun him for a minute or two.
A drowning person generally rises twice before sinking the last time.
Those who have been unconscious ten, fifteen, twenty minutes and
sometimes longer, have been resuscitated or brought back to life. What
is done, therefore, must be done without delay. Should you be present
when a drowned person is taken from the water, you ought to know exactly
what to do.
If any one can be spared to go for the doctor, let him run with all
speed. The instant the body is brought to land, turn it upon the face,
with a hard roll of clothing under the pit of the stomach. This roll can
be readily made from your own clothing or that of others if present. Put
one wrist of the patient under his forehead so as to keep his mouth off
the ground.
[Illustration]
Then, with your hands well spread upon the patient's back, above the
roll of clothing, press down with the whole weight of your body, pushing
forward at the same time. Repeat this two or three times, with quickness
and vigor. The object of the movement is to force the water from the
lungs, and it must occupy very little time, for there is none to throw
away.
[Illustration]
Having freed the lungs so far as possible from water, turn the patient
on his back, face upward, with the hard roll of clothing beneath his
back. Bend the head backward and downward, so that the throat is
stretched to the utmost. Place his hands on top of his head, and, if
there be any one standing near, let him tie the wrists with a single
twist of the handkerchief.
All the clothing must be instantly stripped off to the waist. Kneel
astride the patient's hips; grasp the front part of the chest on both
sides of the pit of the stomach, your thumbs pointing to the patient's
chin and your fingers fitting into the grooves between the short ribs.
Brace your elbows firmly, making them rigid with your sides and hips,
while your knees serve as a pivot. Press the sides of the patient firmly
together, throwing yourself slowly forward for a second or two until
your face almost touches his and your whole weight presses upon his
chest. End this pressure with a sudden short push, which will send you
back to the kneeling posture.
Stop for two or three seconds, so as to allow the ribs to spring back
into position. Then repeat this bellows-blowing movement as before,
gradually increasing the rate from seven to ten times a minute. Watch
closely, and if you detect a natural gasp, do not interrupt it, but as
the ribs sink, gently press them and deepen the gasp into a long breath.
Continue to give this help, until the natural breathing is fully
resumed, but do not cease your efforts for fully an hour or longer.
Avoid impatient vertical pushes; the force must be upward and inward. If
a second person is present, he should pull the end of the tongue of the
patient out of a corner of his mouth and hold it there, using his
handkerchief or piece of cotton rag. This helps to give the air free
passage to and from the lungs.
* * * * *
What causes a great many deaths from drowning?
How does a person act when he believes he is drowning? What is he
likely to do if a friend swims to his rescue?
What may be done if the drowning person keeps still? What, if he
becomes frantic?
How often does a drowning person generally rise? How long after
drowning has a person been resuscitated or brought back to life?
What about the doctor? Now, describe very carefully the first step
to be taken the instant a drowned person is brought to land. What
should be done with his wrist?
What next should be done? In what manner and how often should this
be done? What is the object of the movement?
After freeing the lungs, so far as possible, from water, what is the
next step? What should be done with his hands?
What of the patient's clothing? What next should be done?
Having placed yourself astride the patient's hips, describe what
should be done next.
What are the next steps? What should be done if a natural gasp is
detected? How long should you continue your efforts to restore the
patient to life?
What should be avoided? What should be done by a spectator, if there
be one?
Now tell me precisely what to do from the moment a drowned person is
taken out of the water until he is resuscitated or it is proven he
is beyond help. (The teacher must insist on an answer, correct in
every particular, for it is evident that unless he knows every step,
the pupil's knowledge is useless.)