DIRECTIONS FOR RESTORING THE DROWNED - RECOMMENDED BY THE DOLPHIN SWIMMING CLUB.
Rule at once to employ means to restore breathing. Do not delay this in order to procure shelter, warmth, stimu lants, etc.
Rule all obstructions to breathing. Instantly loosen or cut apart all neck and waist bands ; turn the patient on the face with the head lower than the feet ; stand astride the hips with your face:toward the head, and locking your fingers together under the abdomen, raise the body as high as you can without lifting the forehead off the ground, and give the body a smart jerk to remove mucus and water from the mouth and wind-pipe. Hold the body suspended long enough to count one, two, three, four, five, repeating the jerk more gently two or three times (see Fig. 52).
Rule S.—Next place the patient- on the back on a flat surface inclined a little from the feet upwards, raise and support the head and shoulders on a firm cushion, or folded article of dress, placed under the shoulder blades, cleanse the mouth and nostrils, open the mouth, draw forward the patient's tonguie, securing it there either by holding it with the fingers, or by a piece of string or elastic band placed over it and under the chin (see Fig. 53).
Rule the patient's arms just above the elbows, and draw the arms gently and steadily upwards until they meet above the head (this is for the purpose of drawing air into the lungs). Keep the arms in this position for two seconds, and then turn them down and press them gently and firmly against the sides of the chest, pressing at the same time on the breast and abdomen (this is with the object of pressing air out of the lungs) (see Fig. 54). Pressing on the abdomen
by an assistant will aid expiratory efforts. Repeat these measures alternately and deliberately until a spontaneous effort to breathe is perceived, immediately upon which cease to imitate the movements of breathing, and proceed to induce circulation and warmth.
Rule 5.—To excite respiration, during the employment of the foregoing methods, excite the nostrils with snuff, or smelling salts, or tickle the throat with a feather. Rub the chest and face briskly, and dash cold and hot water alternately upon the patient.
Do not be soon discouraged. Remember that at any time within two hours your efforts may be successful.
Rule 6.—To induce circulation and warmth, after breathing is commenced, wrap the patient in warm blankets, and apply bottles of hot water, hot bricks, or anything to restore heat.
Warm the head nearly as fast as the body, lest convulsions should be induced. Rubbing the body with warm cloths, or with the hands, and slapping the fleshy parts, may assist to restore warmth and breathing.
If the patient can swallow with safety, give hot coffee, tea, milk, or spirits. Allow the patient to have abundance of fresh air.
Wharf owners, and other persons residing near the water, should keep a coil of rope and pieces of 'boards in some convenient place, ready for immediate use.