LIFE-SAVING—SCHAEFER METHOD OF RESUSCITATION.
The chief don’t that I would emphasize is that, unless you are a good swimmer yourself, and know how to keep cool in times of excitement such as when a boat overturns, or some one is suddenly precipitated in the water, you had better not attempt a rescue, for, while it is very commendable to be a hero, unless you know what you are about, two people will lose their lives instead of one. However, if you are cool, and can swim well, to approach a person in the right way, break any hold they may take on you, and tow them into shore and out of danger, is but a simple task, although if you have to go quite a distance, it may tire you a lot, but you will have that glorious satisfaction of having saved a life of a fellow brother.
In attempting a rescue, never approach a person from in front, if you can possibly avoid it, and you invariably can, unless you are in a boat with them and you are suddenly thrown in the water, and coming up near someone they may grasp you before you have time to get back of them. Always get back of them and then it will be easy to grasp them by the various holds that are herein described, and by telling them to keep cool, easily tow them to shore.
The most likely grip to be taken by the drowning person is for them to grasp you by the wrists, if in front of them. This is a very easy hold to break, for, by turning your elbows up suddenly and your hands down and outward, they will have to release because they have no clutch on you but the thumb-hold. After effecting the releases, you can turn the person around, so you will be back of them and then bring them in by the holds here explained and illustrated.
A most dangerous hold is for the person to grasp you around the neck with both arms, and clutching you tight, draw you very close to them in a strangle-hold. When this hold is taken, you must put your right arm under their left shoulder, placing your thumb and forefinger tightly over their nose and shutting off the wind, while you press your left hand against his back, drawing him to you and pushing his head back. Be strong and rough about it if necessary, as you will not hurt him, and very soon, because he cannot get his breath, he will release his hold, and then you must turn him around quickly on his back and the rest will be easy, especially if you assure him that there is no danger if he will not try to struggle.
Another hold that looks as if it might be very hard to break is the back strangle-hold, where the excited one grasps you from behind around the neck with both arms. You must at once take hold of both of his hands with your hands, throw your head back with all the force you can, knocking him a hard blow on the nose with the back of your head, and then by ducking your head down under water, you will be able to get free, but you must keep hold of one of his hands in order to turn him around as in the other holds, in order not to lose your grip so you can tow him to safety.
Towing the subject to shore, of course, is much easier than breaking the holds. One of the very easy methods is to grasp the person by the hair of the head, unless he be bald, and as the body is easy to carry this way and floats well, you can use both your lower limbs and one arm to tow him to shore or to the upturned boat or canoe, if the latter is near, for it is not wise to go further than necessary, for someone will be very apt to come to your assistance if you hold on to the craft, and numerous cases are on record of the rescuer becoming exhausted when having to carry a person very far.
If you are swimming with a friend or near another person who gets tired, it is the easiest thing in the world to help him, for all you have to do is to ask him to place his forefingers of both hands upon your shoulders, he lying on his back, his feet kept close together and between your legs, and then you swim the breast stroke, and as you have the use of all your limbs, the person will be very easy to carry for a long distance, providing you swim easy and slowly and do not try to hurry.
Another method of carrying is by the neck and arm hold, where you turn the person on their side, grasping them with one arm around and under the neck and over their shoulder, to prevent them from struggling, and you can then swim on your side, using one arm under water and getting a side-stroke kick, having the person entirely under your control, in a case where he might be struggling to release himself.
More people’s lives are now saved annually than at any time before in the world’s history, on account of the advanced ideas now in vogue in connection with the resuscitation of the apparently drowned, and with the latest and best method now used, called the Schaefer method, it is easier to bring the person who is recovered from the water, when not submerged too long, back again to life by producing artificial respiration, and restoring circulation, if life is not already extinct.