SURF LIFE-SAVING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22004, 10 January 1935, Page 7

SURF LIFE-SAVING

RESUSCITATION METHODS

TESTS FOR MEDALLIONS

BY FIRST LINK

Considerable surprise has been expressed by surf life-saving officials at. an article sponsored by the Health Department for publication generally in which resuscitation methods other than the Schafer method, and usually considered as obsolete, are advocated. Surfmen throughout New Zealand spend some six months every year endeavouring to teach the public by demonstration and practical example a method accepted throughout the world as standard. Co-operation between a Government department and the Surf LifeSaving Association and Royal LifeSaving Society would increase the educational value of such articles. This is a matter which the council could investigate. , The examination test for the surf medallion since the inception of the Surf Life-Saving Council some three seasons ago has been made considerably harder as far as theory is concerned. A knowledge of physiology is now a necessary part.of the test. Tbr> reason for this does not seem to be obvious to some surfmen, but if thought, is given it will be seen that if resuscitation is to bo performed efficiently it is necessary to know why the movements are made.

Questions are little different from those of the Royal Life-Saving Society bronze medallion examination. A real surfinan cannot bo turned out in a week or two and a fair amount of study of handbooks or attendance at lectures by instructors is necessary. In Australia special classes of instruction are held by club instructors and intensive training periods on the practical work are undertaken be/ore candidates are presented for examination. This is an idea which could well be followed by a number of Auckland clubs. In the conditions of. the jiew fourman event compiled by the New Zealand Council no provision has been made for the use of a blanket in resuscitation. Clubs and officials generally do not seem to give sufficient attention to this very necessary part of resuscitation. • s

Mr. K. C. Reid, former chairman of the Auckland Surf Life-Saving Association, has expressed the opinion that, all Auckland metropolitan clubs should be examined for their surf medallions at Pilia. This would ensure that any surf conditions met with at New Plymouth at the national championships would not be too unusual for Aucklanders. The Piha Club's new clubhouse is nearing completion and an official opening day is planned for January 26 week-end.

The Auckland Association is contemplating an educational trip to North Auckland beaches before the end of the season with the idea of organising clubs.

Messrs. P. Coira, .T. F. Alexander. F. Chapman and H. Dickson have been appointed a special sub-committee to draw up details for the inter-association competition for the London Cup.