DROWNING 



1864 



DROWNING 



If they are held above the head, the body sinks 

 deeper in the water. If they are held down 

 at the sides, the body will probably rise to the 



FIG. i 



surface. The tendency of all drowning persons 

 to "clutch at a straw," or to take hold of any- 

 thing within reach, only increases their diffi- 

 culty and danger. The same habit often 

 renders useless the efforts of rescuers. 



Methods of Rescue. If the rescuer is in a 

 boat his task is greatly simplified. The drown- 

 ing person must be seized and lifted into the 

 boat and conveyed as quickly as possible to 

 the shore. If, however, the rescuer is swim- 

 ming, he must be wary in his approach. If not 

 prevented, the drowning person may grasp 

 him round neck or waist and endanger the 

 lives of both. What appear to be harsh 

 measures are sometimes necessary to break the 

 hold of a drowning person. Should the rescuer 



FIG. 2 



be grasped round the neck, he must place one 

 hand against the back of the drowning person 

 and with the other pinch his nostrils while 

 forcing his head back. The drowning person 

 will immediately let go his hold. If clutched 

 round the body, the rescuer must quickly adopt 

 strong measures by placing his knee against 

 the stomach of the drowning person and then 

 throwing the whole weight of his body back- 

 ward. This will effect his release. 



If the drowning person is conscious and suffi- 

 ciently calm he should be grasped by the 

 hand and turned on his back. The rescuer 

 then swims -on his back with the body of the 

 drowning person above him, taking care to 

 keep the man's face above water (Fig. 1). A 



struggling person should be firmly held by the 

 arms, just above the elbows, the rescuer then 

 turning him on his back (Fig. 2). Sometimes 

 the struggles may be so violent that the res- 

 cuer has difficulty in securing either of the 

 holds mentioned. He should then slip his 

 hands under the armpits, raising the drowning 

 person's arms to right angles with his body 

 (Fig. 3). He is then helpless and the rescuer 

 may swim with him to shore. When entering 

 the water from a high bank or bridge to effect 

 a rescue it is always advisable to drop in feet 

 first unless the depth of the water is accurately 

 known. 





FIG. 3 



First Aid Measures. It is an undoubted fact 

 that many lives are lost through ignorance on 

 the part of the rescuers as to the best method 

 to adopt when the drowning person has 'been 

 safely removed from the water. The simplest 

 and most efficient method of revival is as fol- 

 lows: Place the body face downward on the 

 ground with the arms extended as shown in 

 the illustration (Fig. 4). The rescuer should 

 then kneel with one knee on either side of the 

 body, placing his two hands flat on the lower 

 part of the back and pressing on the lowest 

 ribs. The weight of his body should then be 

 thrown forward, pressing the ribs upward. This 



FIG 



will drive air and water out of the patient's 

 lungs. 



The rescuer then slowly raises his body, 

 releasing the pressure. These operations should 



