Rescue and First Aid
In this scene from the 1930s, Los Angeles
City firemen drill on first aid techniques for victims of
respiratory arrest. ‘Victim’ in foreground is receiving
artificial respiration by the back pressure – arm lift
method, which was used by LA City and County Fire Departments
until CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) was introduced in
the 1960s. ‘Victim’ in background is being administered
oxygen from an early E&J resuscitator. Vehicle appears
to be an early-1930s Cadillac ambulance.
Photo courtesy Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief
Assn.
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Los Angeles City firemen examine an
E&J resuscitator. The device, including oxygen cylinders
and carrying case, weighed more than 65 pounds. E&J resuscitators
were used by the Los Angeles County Fire Department as well.
In fact, they were standard equipment on all County rescue
squads and some engines until they were replaced in 1960 by
the E&J Lytport model. A selector on the chrome valve
at the top of the E&J had settings for resuscitation,
inhalation, and aspiration (suction). During the years these
devices were in use, the only airway equipment available to
rescuers were the curved oropharangeal airways mounted on
the carrying case door. There was no demand valve and the
inhalation/exhalation phases were dependent on internal valves
that often seemed to have a mind of their own. At the time,
closed-chest cardiac compression and mouth-to-mouth rescue
breathing were either unknown or unapproved procedures. Note
the 1941 Buick chief’s sedan inside the station.
Photo courtesy Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief
Assn.
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The mask held in the right hand of this
Los Angeles City fireman included a pliable cuff that was
inflated to the desired pressure by a rescuer blowing into
the tube with his mouth. In the days before infectious diseases
became a major concern, these masks and cuffs would be washed
after each use and re-used thousands of times before being
replaced.
Photo courtesy Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief
Assn.
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This photo of a Los Angeles City fireman
with a back-pack oxy-acetylene cutting torch illustrates the
equipment used by LA City and County fire departments in the
1930s and 40s. Prior to the ‘Jaws of Life’ and similar
hydraulic rescue equipment (1972), and prior to the development
of modern saws and air chisels, these cutting torches were
the only tools available for some auto extrications and industrial
accidents. Usually, an asbestos blanket would be draped over
the victim while a vehicle or machinery was cut away from
them.
Photo courtesy Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief
Assn.
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In this photo of a 1930s rescue drill,
firemen equipped with state-of-the-art protective gear remove
an unconscious ‘victim’ from toxic environment.
Photo courtesy Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief
Assn.
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