HURRICANE, STORM, AND SMALL-CRAFT WARNING SIGNALS

(U. S. Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau)

Hurricane, or whole-gale warning. Two square flags, red with black centers one above the other, indicate the approach of a tropical hurricane, or of one of the extremely severe and dangerous storms which occasionally occur.

Warning. Two red pennants indicate that a storm is expected. Small-craft warning.-A red pennant indicates that moderately strong winds that will interfere with the safe operation of small craft are expected.

Because of the war situation, the Weather Bureau has discontinued storm warning displays by lanterns at night and has resorted to use of flags only, which will remain hoisted during the period of display. Wind directions are not indicated in these displays.

RESUSCITATION OF THE APPARENTLY DROWNED

When a person has been rendered unconscious by fumigation gas, by electric shock, drowning, or any other cause, and breathing ceases or becomes very shallow, artificial respiration should be begun at once. Proceed as follows:

1. Lay the patient on his belly, one arm extended directly overhead, the other arm bent at elbow, and with the face turned outward and resting on hand or forearm, so that the nose and mouth or free for breathing.

2. Kneel straddling the patient's thighs with your knees placed at such a distance below his hip bones as will allow you to reach his waist easily. Place the palms of the hands on the small of his back with fingers resting on his ribs, the little finger just touching the lowest rib, with the thumb and fingers in a natural position, and the tips of the fingers just out of sight.

3. With arms held straight, swing forward slowly, so that the weight of your body is gradually brought to bear upon the patient. Your shoulder should be directly over the heel of your hand at the end of the forward swing. Do not bend your elbows. This operation should take about 2 seconds.

4. Now immediately swing backward so as to remove the pressure completely.

5. After 2 seconds swing forward again. Thus repeat deliberately 12 to 15 times a minute the double movement of compression and release, a complete respiration in 4 or 5 seconds.

6. Continue artificial respiration without interruption until natural breathing is restored, 4 hours or longer if necessary, or until a physician declares the patient is dead.

7. As soon as this artificial respiration has been started, and while it is being continued, an assistant should loosen any tight clothing

about the patient's neck, chest, or waist. Keep the patient warm. Do not give any liquids whatever by mouth until the patient is fully

conscious.

8. To avoid strain on the heart when the patient revives, he should be kept lying down and not allowed to stand or sit up. If the doctor has not arrived by the time the patient has revived, the patient should be given some stimulant, such as 1 teaspoonful of aromatic spirits of ammonia in a small glass of water or a hot drink of coffee or tea, etc. The patient should be kept warm.

9. Resuscitation should be carried on at the nearest possible point to the place where the patient received his injuries. He should not be moved from this point until he is breathing normally of his own volition, and then moved only in a lying position. Should it be necessary, due to extreme weather conditions, etc., to move the patient before he is breathing normally, resuscitation should be carried on during the time that he is being moved.

10. A brief return of natural respiration is not a certain indication for stopping the resuscitation. Not infrequently the patient, after a temporary recovery of respiration, stops breathing again. The patient must be watched, and, if natural breathing stops, artificial respiration should be resumed at once.

11. In carrying out resuscitation, it may be necessary to change the operator. This change must be made without losing the rhythm of respiration. By this procedure, no confusion results at the time of change of operator, and a regular rhythm is kept up. The treatment must not be given up until at least 4 hours of steady, unremitting resuscitation have been tried, unless, of course, the patient commences to breathe strongly and naturally of his own volition.