Underwater Swimming Club Demonstration

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28422, 31 October 1957, Page 14

Underwater Swimming Club Demonstration

The Canterbury Underwater Swimming Club will give a practical demonstration of its new motto, “Cum salute sub undis’’ (Under the waves with safety) when displays organised by the Christchurch Water Safety Committee are held in the Centennial Pool on Saturday and on November 9.

The water-safety displays, which are being organised as part of the committee’s campaign this season, will begin at 10 a.m. and will continue until noon on both days.

The Canterbury Underwater Swimming Club will aim to demonstrate the importance of understanding the physiology of diving and the principles of the functioning of diving equipment. It will demonstrate the correct use of both snorkel and scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) equipment.

In the demonstration of snorkling. the equipment—mask, snorkels, and fins—will be explained. after which the correct method of entry into the water when wearing this equipment will u s h° wn Divers in pairs will then give a demonstration of swimming and diving with the equipment, and retrieving objects frnm the bottom of the pool. tl T"® and don,ts for divers Rising scuba equipment will then

be demonstrated, ranging from the careful checking of all the items of gear—suit, oxygen unit, weight belt, safety knife, self-inflating pack, depth gauge, compass, and waterproof watch—and the correct method of entering the water, to the necessity for the diver exhaling while he is surfacing and being careful not to rise faster than his air bubbles. Hazards which will be explained and demonstrated include the harmful effects of pressure and air embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, and becoming fouled by underwater obstructions when a safety knife for cutting the diver free is not carried. Safety and rescue exercises with scuba equipment wi n also be shown.

During these demonstrations, one scuba diver will remain submerged throughout, not only as a demonstration in itself, but to take underwater photographs of the displays.