Having freed the lungs so far as possible from water, turn the patient on his back, face upward, with the hard roll of clothing beneath his back. Bend the head backward and downward, so that the throat is stretched to the utmost. Place his hands on top of his head, and, if there be any one standing near, let him tie the wrists with a single twist of the handkerchief.
All the clothing must be instantly stripped off to the waist. Kneel astride the patient's hips; grasp the front part of the chest on both sides of the pit of the stomach, your thumbs pointing to the patient's chin and your fingers fitting into the grooves between the short ribs.
Brace your elbows firmly, making them rigid with your sides and hips, while your knees serve as a pivot. Press the sides of the patient firmly together, throwing yourself slowly forward for a second or two until your face almost touches his and your whole weight presses upon his chest. End this pressure with a sudden short push, which will send you back to the kneeling posture.
Stop for two or three seconds, so as to allow the ribs to spring back into position. Then repeat this bellows-blowing movement as before, gradually increasing the rate from seven to ten times a minute. Watch closely, and if you detect a natural gasp, do not interrupt it, but as the ribs sink, gently press them and deepen the gasp into a long breath. Continue to give this help, until the natural breathing is fully resumed, but do not cease your efforts for fully an hour or longer.
Avoid impatient vertical pushes; the force must be upward and inward. If a second person is present, he should pull the end of the tongue of the patient out of a corner of his mouth and hold it there, using his handkerchief or piece of cotton rag. This helps to give the air free passage to and from the lungs.
What causes a great many deaths from drowning?
How does a person act when he believes he is drowning? What is he likely to do if a friend swims to his rescue?
What may be done if the drowning person keeps still? What, if he becomes frantic?
How often does a drowning person generally rise? How long after drowning has a person been resuscitated or brought back to life?