A RIVER RESCUE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2666, 6 September 1937, Page 4

A RIVER RESCUE

GIRL FALLS IN OHINEMURI

VALUE OF GUIDE TRAINING

TRIBUTE BY DR. S. L. HASLETT.

The value of keeping- a calm demeanour and of the knowledge of life-sav-ing drill and artificial respiration was demonstrated last week-end when a young girl was rescued from the Ohinemuri river and revived by a companion. The rescuer was Miss Alice Campbell, aged about 15 years, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Campbell, Wharf street, Paeroa.

A young girl who had been visiting the Campbell family fell into the river when playing with others on the bank. Alice Campbell courageously entered the water and dragged the girl to the bank and, with the assistance of her mother who had been summoned, took her out of the river. Artificial Respiration. As the girl was unconscious her rescuer, without losing her head, applied artificial respiration, enploying the knowledge she had gained through her training as a girl guide. Dr. S. L. Haslett was summoned and the girl was soon fully recovered.

Interviewed by a representative of the Gazette, Dr. Haslett paid a warm tribute to Alice Campbell’s actions. She had not become flustered but coolly kept her head in the emergency, he said, and by adopting the correct methods of artificial respiration aided considerably in procuring the revival of the unconscious girl. Dr. Haslett also agreed that the training given by the girl guide movement was invaluable in such cases, the main object being to teach calmness and the correct methods of dealing with an accident. Some recognition of Alice Campbell’s action should be made, and credit should be given to the value of the girl guide training.