GUARDING SURF BATHERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 774, 24 March 1910, Page 9

GUARDING SURF BATHERS.

■ ".';;-,olub;, proposed.; .;.■;; .:. : "'; i ; ■■ ~• " .'-v : - '■ r~ r"•'.--■. "■ ■--■ ( ■ ,The City Council, having resolved to place life-saving reels on the Lyall Bay beach, the committee of the Wellington Swimming Club-is interesting itself in the formation of a surf, club, 'so as to man the life-saving The club has everything in train to call a : meeting of those interested in tho movement as Boon as "the'matter has been submitted'to and approved by the City Council. So far, the council has hot been approached, hut there should be no doubt j about such a proposal being welcomed. ' It is- tho intention, if the club is formed, to ask for tho uso of the life-saving gear during the: winter months.for practice. "The club anticipates no. i difficulty.- in.forming Bevcral s.trong teams of six nien each, and an endeavour will also be made to got several residents of the Bay to join the club, and go through the necessary training. ' '■■.'''■ ■ ■

The Bondi Club, Sydney/ has been written to asking for a copy of the rules governing its life-saving club.. The general practice adopted in saving life is that when a swimmer is seen to be

in difficulties-in the breakers, the fastest swimmer in the team immediately dashes/-into the .surf, and goes to the rescuo holding the drowning man up until a second member of .the team can come out with the life-buoy, which is attached to the reel by 300 yards or so of lino. The first man then gives his charge over to the man with the life-buoy. Other members of tho team man the reel, or take up • various allocated positions along the life-line, in readiness - for . tho * signal to haul in. Once the body is ashore the team take charge of it, and if the subject, is far gone they adopt measures of resuscitation, in which they are specially drilled. The first order, however, is to send for medical aid, and tho "first aid" is only .to-hold-the. threads of life together until the services of a medical man can be obtained. In view of the accidents which aro liable to occur' at tho Bay, a club such as the'committee of the Wellington Club have in view should be of £reat service