FIRST AIDS TO THE SICK AND INJURED. 159 



23. Drowning. The great object is to restore the breath- 

 ing. Lose no time. The moment the body has been removed 

 from the water make all efforts to save life. Do not lose 

 valuable time in order to procure shelter, warmth, etc. In- 

 stantly remove all tight clothing from the neck, chest and 

 waist. 



FIG. 49. First Position : to remove water and mucus from the 

 throat and windpipe. 



Turn the patient on his face, and getting astride him at 

 the hips (Fig. 49) with your face towards his head, lock your 

 hands under his body and raise him as high as you can with- 

 out lifting the forehead off the ground. Give the body two 

 or three smart jerks to remove all water, slime or mucus from 

 the mouth, throat and windpipe. 



Next place the patient on his back in a lying position, 

 with a pillow or coat rolled up underneath the shoulder- 

 blades, and with the head hanging back slightly. Sweep the 

 forefinger, covered with a handkerchief or towel, round the 

 inside of the mouth, to free it from sand, mud, froth or 

 mucus. If you have anyone to help, get the assistant to 

 draw forward the tongue. It generally tends to fall back in 

 the throat and close the air-passage. The assistant can hold 



