TO SAVE LIFE FROM DROWNING.
"The conquering hero less demands our praise, Who boasts of victory with ten thousand slain, Than he who from untimely death doth raise One victim to his weeping friends again.
In acts like these ye gen'rous few proceed, Ye noble patrons of the human race, High Heven' approves the all benefit deed, And in its records grants your names a place." In the 1st volume of the "Transactions of the Royal Humane Society, from 1774 to 1794," we find a theory of some value propounded as follows: "Dr. Adam Smith in his approved Treatise on the Wealth of Nations, says—'In commercial concerns, every capital multiplies or produces a number of new ones, insomuch that the loss or accession of the capital to the general stock, is to be considered as the loss or accession of the means of procreating new capitals.' • " This proposition is equally applicable to popu lation as to commerce, so that we may establish it as a fair and incontrovertible position, that the subduction or addition of a single life, not past the period of propagation, from or to the general mass of the population of a country, is to be considered as the subduction or addition of a number of lives, increasing in an ascending series." Population, it has been conceded by nearly all writers, constitutes the riches of a country, whatever then tends to preserve it must be of infinite value. The ancient Romans looked at the question in this light, and bestowed the highest honours on him who saved the life of a citizen. For, reasoned they, he has not only saved this one, but has perhaps given us many.
Considering this argument as sound, how much praise is due to the National Lifeboat Institution and the I Iumane Societies of our country. Nor can we afford to pass over the individual efforts of the humane and noble-hearted swimmer, who, seeing a fellow-creature in danger, and knowing his duty, fears not, even at the risk of his own life, to perform it.
We have had the honour and pleasure of numbering among our friends, four heroes, who have been the means in the hands of Providence of saving no less than two hundred and thirty persons from almost certain death by drowning.
Surely these men may be looked upon as bene factors to their country. There are others who have been the means of saving one, two, three, or more lives from a watery grave, and in each case risked their own life in the noble endeavour.
In the words of the respected gentleman to whom this work .has been dedicated, "All honour to them ! God bless them ! They will sleep the sounder with the recollections of their daring deeds, known perhaps only to a few." We cannot refrain giving another expression of this philanthropic citizen, who, when speaking on the subject said, "May I be allowed to say in all reverence that he who saves a body is held second only in honour to him who saves a soul."
Especially applicable are these words to the case of the rescue of the unfortunate ones "Weary of life,,glad to be hurled Anywhere, anywhere, out of the world" whose sins, sorrows, and trials have led them to think there was some truth in the words, "Out of the world out of sorrow." One who took an active part in the rescue of a would-be suicide says,—the memory of it will never be effaced from my memory, so great was the joy of the preserved, the victim of an hour, that on being restored to consciousness he clasped his arms round the knees of his preserver and showered kisses and tears upon his feet. His grown-up family were not much less profuse in their expres sion of thanks, and repeatedly affirmed that if only they had it in their power their preserver should never want, and we trust in all humility that he never shall.
There are many swimmers, however, who in j ustice to themselves, would have to think twice before trusting themselves to carry an insensible person when in the water, not to speak of one in the struggles of death, to a place of safety.
The fol lowing lessons we hope may prove of real as showing the approved methods of cue. We have taught them in classes with every mark of success, several members of these classes having, since receiving the instructions, been success ful in saving life, and have thus practically proved the utility of their lessons.
Should the drowning person be a distance of some hundreds of yards from the shore, the rescuer had better take time to divest himself of his shoes, jacket, and vest. These being the heaviest portions of attire, the few moments occupied in taking them off will soon be made up in the speed with which he can swim when relieved of these parts of his clothing. He will also have the use of his limbs to a much greater extent than when dressed ; besides, there is less probability of his being caught in the grasp of the struggling person.
It makes the greatest possible difference if the rescuer is naked and the drowning person clothed, than if the case were reversed.
The rescuer must be careful not to swim so fast as to put himself out of breath; he must reach the spot comparatively fresh, and as little excited as possible.
To HELP OR CARRY A TIRED SWIMMER. This will also apply to the rescue of one who cannot swim, but who may have been accidentally thrown into the water, if he is obedient and passive, as such an one may occasionally be found even under such circumstances. When the rescuer has swam to the person requiring help, let him put the tired one's hands round his preserver's neck, and both are face to face, the rescuer will now swim with his ordinary breast stroke. Plate XI. will fully explain the position.
This is an easy way of assisting one in the water, and by its means a boy or girl will be enabled to carry a very strong or heavy person.