Rescue Drill in the Water

RESCUE DRILL (IN THE WATER) The object of this drill is to teach by actual practice in the water how to carry a person to shore, by the same methods as taught in the Land Rescue Drills.

Fallin.

The members will form up in single rank one pace from the edge of the water.

Right Dress—Eyes Front : Number. Form Two Deeft.—All the foregoing movements are the same as in Land Drills.

Ready.

On the word 'ready,' the front rank will take one pace to the front and stand prepared to plunge.

Go.

On the word ' go,' they will plunge into the water, swim a distance of about ten yards, turn and remain facing the starting point, by swimming or treading water.

Rescuer

the word ready,' the rear rank will step to the edge of the water and stand prepared to plunge.

Go.

On the word 'go,' the rear rank will plunge into the water and each swim to his front-rank man, seize him, turn him on to his back and carry him, in accordance with the first method (as taught in the Land Drill), to the place from which the start was made. Then all leave the water and re-form into line (each one in his respective place) and stand at attention.' Change Rank—Two Deep.—(As in Rescue Land Drill) Ready.—For the second, third, and fourth methods, the com mand will be repeated in the same order as for the first method, substituting the words second, third, and fourth for the word first, and the drill will be continued in the order given.

In actual rescue work the rescuer should be as cool and calm as possible. If the tide be against him, he should try to make for some spot towards which it is drifting, or at any rate, if he be some distance from shore, not get right athwart the tide and thus waste his strength. The boots, &c., and as much clothing as time permits, should be removed before attempting a rescue.

When clutched by a drowning person there must be no hesi tation. Two lives are in jeopardy, and only what may possibly seem extreme methods will be of any avail. Every action

must be prompt and decisive. The release drills on land, already detailed, are designed to illustrate and teach the follow ing simple methods of getting rid of the attentions of a too demonstrative drowning man.

r. If held by the wrists, turn both arms simultaneously against the drowning person's thumbs, outwards, and attempt to bring your arms at right angles to your own body. This will dislocate the thumbs of the drowning person, and he must leave go his hold.

2. If clutched round the neck, immediately take a deep breath, lean well over your opponent, place the left hand in the small part of his back, and draw your right arm in an upward direction until in line with his shoulder, and pass it at once over his arm. Then with the thumb and forefinger catch his nose and pinch the nostrils close, at the same time place the palm of your hand on his chin and push firmly outwards. This will cause him to open his mouth for breathing purposes, and he, being under you, will swallow water. Choking ensues, and not only is the rescuer let go, but the other is left so helpless as to be completely under control.

3. If clutched round the body and arms, take a deep breath, lean well over your opponent and throw the right arm in an upward direction at right angles to the body, or draw it up between your body and that of your opponent. Then with the thumb and fore finger catch the nose and pinch the nostrils close, and at the same time place the palm of the hand on the chin and bring the right 'knee as high as possible up between the two bodies, placing it, if possible, against the lower part of your opponent's chest ; then by means of a strong and somewhat sudden push stretch your arms and leg out straight, at the same time throwing the whole weight of the body backwards. This sudden motion will press the air out of the other's chest, as well as push him off, no matter how tightly he may be holding.