SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 113, 6 February 1935, Page 13

SWIMMING

Resuscitation Methods of 100 Years Ago — LAST WEEK’S CARNIVAL Blakeley Retains Title After Fine Effort

(By

Trudge.)

An interesting article on the methods of resuscitation work employed 100 years ago is supplied by Mr. V. Allan, Worser Bay club, the popular veteran swimmer of Wellington. The article states that a Miss Baldry, a Royal Life Saving Society representative, of Berkhamstead, England, has discovered a most interesting book entitled “Cottage Comforts," published in 1834, and among its many cures and treatments is one for the apparentlydrowned. It suggests that the body, when taken from the water, should be taken into a house and the wet clothing removed. "The body must then be thoroughly dried by vigorous rubbing with dry cloths, then wrapped in a blanket. Having placed the body on a bed or mattress made hot with a warming pan, rub it diligently with warm cloths or flannels, all over, but especially the belly, chest and limbs. ’ After this operation it is advised to plane the body in a warm bath of water, brewer’s grains, sand, ashes, or any other warming material. While these operations are going on. the pipe of a pair of bellows should be applied to one nostril, the other and the mouth to be tightly closed. “Now blow gently .until the breast be a little raised, then let the mouth be left free and an easy pressure be made on the chest. This imitation of breathing should be kept up for as long as four hours if necessary. If bellows are not at hand, blow In the same manner with your breath through a quill, a reed, a small pipe, or a piece of stiff pap-T shaped like a small funnel.. When breathing begins, touch the inside of the nostrils with a feather dipped in spirits of hartshorn or sharp mustard, or blow some pepper or snuff into them.” How different Irom our modern system of resuscitation was that employed 100 years ago 1 Blakeley Again. J. C. Blakeley, Lyall Bay club, again proved his outstanding ability as an allround free-style swimmer when he retained the Wellington provincial 440yds. championship at Saturday’s carnival, bettering his own centre record by 2 l-o sec. Blakeley might also have won the 50y<l®. centre title had he hot left his spurt so late and struck trouble over the last 15 yards. lie apparently mis-timed his final burst, for instead of making it from the 25yds. mark, which is usual with him in sprint events, he did not unleash that long-sustained effort until he was 30 yards out and just when he settled down Somervell and Claridge swam erratically and closed in, considerably Jiampering Blakeley’s progress. On the other hand, the winner, who drew an outside position, was fortunate to hold a clear passage all the way. Blakeley’s non-inelusion in the tOnm for Auckland is explained by his inability to obtain leave. Canterbury’s “Find.”

Miss Ngaire Hughes is Canterbury’s “find” of the season. In four starts at that centre’s carnival-she won on each occasion, breaking four records, a performance which ie probably unique in that part of the Dominion. Miss Hughes passed through Wellington last week en route to Auckland, where she hopes to get in two weeks’ good training. It will be interesting to see how this plucky little performer fares against the Dominions best at the championships at Auckland.

Carnival Tit-Bits. Miss S. Campbell (Hutt) won the women's 100yds. centre championship all the way. She had no serious opposition at any stage. None of the competitors swam up to expectation with probably the exception of Miss C. Gotlieb (Hataitai club), who impressed as the most likely one of the field to go on to better things. She swims n smart 50yds., and is sure to improve as the season progresses. D. Plank, Maranui club, won the Wellington centre 50yds. title in time equalling that which W. Cameron put up last season. Plank set a smart pace from “go,” and sustained it throughout. Ills success in this event came more as a surprise as he had been concentrating on distance swimming. However, in the 440yds. championship he never settled down, and at no stage held a handy position. ■ So disappointing was his effort that he withdrew in the sixth lap.

Another disappointment in the 440yds. was Keith Thwaites. This lad was expected to be prominent throughout and Blakeley’s most serious opponent, but it transpires that he was swimming against orders, having strained the muscles of the body while training. As a consequence his showing must be excused. Jack Williams's effort in the 440yds. was impressive. He led all the way until the final 40yds., when Blakeley headed him. His determination was well demonstrated over the final 20yds., when he released a great effort to get within a length of Blakeley at the final rope. He equalled the centre’s record time. Dick Pelham, Lyall Bay, kept at Williams for 400yds., when Blakeley came into the picture. Pelham gave a grand demonstration of his capabilities when settled down to.his task. Pelham can always be a dangerous contender for any distance title once he makes his mind up to “give it a go.” A. Somervell. Hutt club. Swam a fine race iu the 50yds. championship, and but for the boring-in that took place over the final 20yds.. would have been much closer to Plank. Somervell has been selected to represent Wellington at Auckland, where he is expected to show his true form. K. Spry, Wellington club, the present local breaststroke champion, showed his versatility in this particular department when swimming for bis club in the breaststroke relay race. Being last man off he increased his advantage from Culley, Lyall Bay, by practically every stroke, and won easing up by about 20yds. Spry is at the top of his form, and in bis present condition should defeat Len Smith, Wanganui, for the 220yds. Dominion breaststroke championship.

Saturday’s Harbour Race. The annual tennis harbour race for the Peck Shield will be swum on Saturday over the same course at Thermion as last season, namely, from the jubilee dock wharf to the dredge wharf and back. Entries closed last Saturday, and the record list of 80 entrants has been received. The race is timed to start at 3 p.m. The successful team last year wns from the Lyall Bay club, and fastest individual time was recorded by Freddy Clarke. Lyall Bay club. who. however, will not be a competitor on Saturday. If he maintains his present form J. C. Blakeley. Lyall Bay club, should be responsible for fastest time, and the strong Lyall Bay A team should go very close to, if not retaining, the honour. 6 Visitors’ Wellington Appearance. The Wellington centre inis decided to apply for Wednesday. March 13. as the date for the appearance of the French and Chineses champions in Wellington, and to stage the carnival at Ihe up-to-date Riddiford Baths. Lower Hutt, in _ the evening. It is proposed to hold a Chinese citizens' race, the co-operation of the Chinese Consul being sought in this respect. The boys’ and girls’ 50yds. centre championships will also bp included on the programme. Final details of the programme will be decided at the next meeting of the centre. Masterton Carnival. Arrangements are being made for the annual visit of Wellington swimmers to Maeterton on Saturday, March 9, when the Masterton club will hold its big carnival of the season. Entries for the various events may be left with Mr. N. N.

Oldershnw, Wellington centre secretary, Lower Hutt, or at Te Aro Baths. . Canterbury's Senior Team. The Canterbury team to compete at the Dominion senior championships is: D. 11. Symes (100yds., 220yds., and 440 yds.) : Miss N. Hughes (100yds., 220yds., and 440yds.) ; G. Low (backstroke) ; and E. Crossley (dive). J. A. Young (Kelleiman Cup, one mile, and 880yds.). Symes is nt present in Hamilton, having Icit Christchurch for that district last week.