Earl J. Feldmann, 34, shipping department chief, saved Arba L. Sagendorph, 38, electrical engineer, from suffocation, Western Springs, Illinois, July 24, 1937. While trying to climb from a catch-basin eight and a half feet deep, Sagendorph was overcome by gas and fell to the bottom, his nose and mouth being under the surface of sewage that was 27 inches deep and had much sludge and a putrid odor. Feldmann, who thought there was gas in the basin, entered through a 15 inch manhole and descended to the bottom by means of footholds at the walls, noting dizziness as he entered. He lifted Sagendorph to his feet; and two men held the ends of a hose and lowered a loop of it to Feldmann, who placed it around Sagendorph’s back and under his arms. Holding Sagendorph’s arms at his sides, Feldmann lifted him to within a foot of the opening, the men pulling the hose; and Sagendorph after a little delay was lifted to the surface. He was revived. Feldmann was badly dazed, his arms extending upward and swinging; and a policeman leaned into the opening, got hold of Feldmann’s wrist, and then with the help of others pulled him to the surface. He recovered in three days.
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