764 



SERVICE, UNITED STATES LIFE-SAYING. 



only 21 pounds, and requiring for its use less 

 heavy cordage, the difference in weight be- 

 tween the two with their appendages amount- 

 ing to over 500 pounds. It consists of a com- 

 mon circular life-preserver of cork, 7 feet in 



RESCUE BY BREECHES-BUOY. 



circumference, to which short canvas breeches 

 are attached. Four rope lanyards fastened 

 to this circle of cork meet above in an iron 

 ring, which is attached by a strap around a 

 block, with composition sheaves, and is called 



a traveler. The hawser passes through this 

 block, and the suspended breeches-buoy is 

 drawn between ship and shore by hauling- 

 lines, like the life-car. At each trip it re- 

 ceives but one person, who gets into it, sit- 

 ting, holding to the lanyards, sustained 

 by the canvas saddle, with his legs 

 dangling below, and is pulled swiftly 

 ashore. When there is imminent dan- 

 ger of the breaking up of the ves- 

 sel, and great haste is required for 

 the rescue, the hawser is sometimes 

 dispensed with, one part of the haul- 

 ing-line being used for the buoy to 

 travel upon. 



The apparatus having to be drawn 

 by the men where horses are not ac- 

 cessible, a hand-cart is provided for 

 this purpose, strongly built, with large 

 wheels having five-inch tires to keep 

 them as much as possible from sinking 

 into the sand. The surf -boat is dragged 

 in the same way on its carriage. 



A medicine-chest is furnished for each 

 station. It contains wine and brandy, 

 mustard plasters, volatile salts, pro- 

 bangs, and a few other simple -reme- 

 dies and appliances for reviving ex- 

 hausted persons or aiding to restore 

 those apparently drowned, printed di- 

 rections for the use of which are 

 pasted within the lid of each chest. 

 A method of resuscitation is published 

 in the regulations of the service, which 

 is also practically taught to every mem- 

 ber of the crews by the visiting sur- 

 geon. The method is that of Dr. Ben- 

 jamin Howard, of New York, with 

 certain modifications by Dr. John M. 

 Woodworth, late Supervising Surgeon- 

 General of the U. S. Marine Hospital 

 Service. Its extreme simplicity of application 

 and great general utility merit for it a particular 

 description. It begins with the attempt to 

 arouse the patient, who must not be removed, 

 unless there is danger of his freezing, but his 



USING THE BREECHES-BUOY WITH KAULING-LINE WITHOUT HAWSER AND TRAVELING BLOCK. 



face exposed to the fresh air, the mouth and nos- patient does not at once revive, a bit of wood 

 Is wiped dry, the clothing quickly ripped open or a cork is placed between his teeth to 

 :> as to expose the chest and waist, and two keep the mouth open, he is turned upon his 



tine, im ,,s *v face5 a large bim dle of tightly rolled clothing is 



placed beneath the stomach, and the operator 



, 



three quick smarting slaps given upon the 

 chest with the open hand. If the 



