MOVE TO REDUCE DROWNINGS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28157, 21 December 1956, Page 12

MOVE TO REDUCE DROWNINGS

Gifts Of Life-Saving Reels PRESENTATION TO LOCAL BODIES (From Our Own Reporter) rr«u WELLINGTON. December 20. The latest model of a folding lifesaving reel and safety belt designed m New Zealand will soon be presented to the Christchurch City Council by the. National Water Safety Council. Christchurch will be the first of a number of centres to receive such equipment. The purpose of the presentation is to show local bodies what is available to combat the toll of drowning which mounts throughout New Zealand in the summer months. For several years. January drownings in New Zealand lakes, rivers, and harbours have exceeded deaths in road accidents. M Th ? foldin g, reel ™ designed by Mr Alex H. Ross, of Wellington, who a.so invented the safety belt for use rn surf rescues. The Ross belt is now standard on all surf life-saving reels in Australia and New Zealand. The folding reel is made of metal for hard = arrl t s 200 > ards of speciallyr'otto” line, the same as that r b -r patr . ols of the New Zealand »urr Life-saving Association. The ad- °£ the folding reel is that it £ ‘ and portable. It can be stowed i tne boot of a car or carried over the shouldef. It is suggested that a small number rL heSe -nl ceis be held in each main centre. They would be available free or charge to anyone who intended to taxe a party of children or adults for a picnic or other outing to a beach. "Y er „ o r Jake known to be unpatrolled. Thus in an emergency a Proved piece of life-saving equipment would be available on the spot