Annual report of the Royal Humane Society for the Recovery of Persons Apparently Dead.

  • Royal Humane Society (London, England)
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Royal Humane Society for the Recovery of Persons Apparently Dead. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the top to receive the ends of the ladder, in the manner described by the figure. The implements now exhibited are to be applied in the following manner. Suppose a case, in which the ice has broken beneath a person; he naturally attempts to support himself by the broken edges. This he is generally able to do for some time if the ice be strong, as little is required to sustain a substance in the water. If the ice be firm, the sufferer may be saved with ease by the ordinary method of assistance; but, if relief be prevented from approach¬ ing the broken place in consequence of fractures, or the evident weakness of the ice, the rope thrown by hand, if the distance be not too great, will save the person in danger. On the rope reaching the person, he will im¬ mediately lay hold of the egg-shaped piece of wood, and support himself by it, with one hand, while placing the distended noose over his head and under his arm, with the other. He will then draw down the slide or button, with which the rope is supplied, to prevent the noose from slipping. Extrication from peril may be thus ef¬ fected, by a person standing on a safe part of the ice, and drawing the sufferer out. This rope or floating noose was originally designed by me, for saving persons from drowning at the breaking of the ice ; but its application, in affording prompt relief to persons falling or being washed overboard at sea, having met