THE SKILL OF RESUSCITATION

Press, 14 November 1977, Page 13

THE SKILL OF RESUSCITATION

Could you revive anyone if they suffered a heart attack, an electric shock, drowned, choked or suffocated? This is the question which lan Greenwood, chief superintendent of the Surf Life Saving Association of New Zealand, sees as important to all of us.

breathing to try and encourage as many people as possible to become proficient in it. It is a skill which can be useful

well beyond water situations and it is important that this is fully realised, says Mr Greenwood.

Rescue breathing can be applied to anyone who has

smothering, choking, smoke suffocation, drug overdose, gas poisoning, head or chest injuries and a stroke or heart attack.

“It is evident from emergency situations which have involved some of our members that rescue breathing can save

lives away from the beach as well as on it,” said Mr

the principles of rescue breathing by everyone in the community is very important when you consider that emergencies can happen anywhere at any time. “In an emergency it is the person on the spot who can be of the most use and if someone has stopped breathing that person will be in the best position to save his or her life.”

Mr Greenwood said that one of the best measures of civil defence would be to have, everyone skilled in basic first aid and rescue. breathing. ‘Tn a civil emergency all established serviced could be cut off. Medical personnel, ambulance services and other trained people could be-some time away from those who may be injured,” he said. i “It is what you do in the first few vital minutes or even seconds whiqh could swing the balance

between life and death. If you can sustain a life until medical help arrives then you will have done something positive and worth while.” THINK: Have you ever seen someone collapse in the middle of the street or be knocked over by a car, and been able to do nothing to help? Have you seen or been part of a crowd which invariably congregates curiously and helplessly? Unless someone among that crowd acts immediately the results could be fatal. If you understand rescue breathing you could deal with such a situation and possibly save a life. Water safety’s aim is for everyone to have the practical know-how and confidence to act at such a time when a life could be at stake. Remember it could be the life of someone you love very much.