SURF LIFE-SAVING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18629, 5 December 1928, Page 7

SURF LIFE-SAVING

| NOTES BY “BELTMAN.” jg !fll!lllllllllllllll!lllll!llllllllllllllll!i:i!lllllllll!lllllllllll!llllllllli:illll!lli:illl!llliil

Sumner, New Brighton and North Beach have held their opening days, and teams from each club have commenced training. The success of last season was a big factor in stimulating interest in the use of reel, line and belt and, with a continuance of daylight saving, clubs are expecting even a busier season than last.

The local consul, Mr G. Pearce, has made his annual inspection of clubs’ gear and, save for a few minor adjustments, has reported all gear in good condition. Clubs cannot be too careful in examining their lines and testing them frequently, as cases have been reported where lines have been deliberately cut.

Through the generosity of Mr T. Newburgh, who has been associated with the Sumner Club for some years, the Surf Association has been offered a trophy for intermediate competition, and it will be competed for under Kesteven Cup rules by youths who have not reached the age of nineteen by the first of October preceding the competition. At the present time, unless showing marked ability, a boy who is too old for the Benson Shield competition is inclined to lose interest owing to the time which elapses before he can get into a senior team. This new trophy will fill a long-felt want in keeping intermediate members interested in surf work.

For the purpose of allowing members who in the past have qualified for the surf medallion, and who are desirous of keeping their knowledge of surf life saving up-to-date, the Royal Life Saving Society has issued a supplementary award, namely “ Bar to Surf Medallion.” The examination for this award is identical with that of the surf medallion, and the issue of the “bar” indicates the recipient’s continued proficiency in the art of surf life saving. This award will appeal to the older members of clubs. >: k Bathers are warned of the bad channel in the vicinity of the Sumner Pier. The channel is running very close to the shore and warning discs have been placed in position to inform bathers of the necessity for great caution. Although the season has barely commenced some members still persist in sporting in the surf a long way from the shore. Members should be careful not to take undue risks by venturing out beyond the breakers, as by doing so they set a bad example to the public, 'v Although having a thorough knowledge of surf reel drill, members would do well to study the following hints which, in the case of a rescue, would prove valuable: — 1. Keep cool. Don’t talk. Obey orders. 2. Always don a belt for rescues when possible, especially in channels or heavy seas. If not actually engaged in the rescue team, help to keep the too willing but unthinking public from interfering and hindering the work in progress, or if practicable stand by with another belt and reel ready for any emergency.

3. The beltman should not try to force his way through the incoming surf, but use the channels or places where the tow is running out the strongest. This will save time and exertion, and allow him to reach his patient in a less exhausted condition.

4. The beltman, on reaching his patient, should speak to him quietly, and, as most of the rescued are swimmers who are exhausted by long battling with the waves, this will often have the desired effect of calming them, and brings confidence to a despairing mind. Rescuers should never strike and render unconscious a patient, as an unconscious body generally sinks immediately, and when the patient is brought to shore the resuscitators cannot easily determine how much the unconsciousness is brought about by the effects of the water or the blow. 5. On reaching the patient, gauge your man. Size up the situation. If the patient is violent and looks ugly to handle, stand off for a while. His struggles will shortly weaken, and a good hold can be secured. 6. If at any time rescuer is unfortunate enough to be clutched by the patient, he should remember he is dealing with a man not in full possession of his senses, whilst he, if he remains cool, has full control of his own, and has confidence in the full knowledge of the methods of breaking grips. 7. On the signal being given to pull in, the beltman should lie in a horizontal position, not sit up in the belt. This will obviate his being drawn under water with his patient, no matter how fast he is pulled from the shore. 8. If the beltman, on being drawn in, be overtaken by an incoming wave in the act of breaking, he should immedfi ately take a firmer hold on his patient and bend forward to go through the wave, so as to miss the full force of the water at the crest of the breaker, which may otherwise cause him to lose the patient. 9. The beltman, on reaching water shallow enough to maintain a firm foothold, should immediately stand up, holding his palient clear of the water, and lifting him over an incoming wave. His standing will be sufficient signal for the linemen to cease pulling and hurry to his assistance. He should maintain his hold of the patient until the linemen have secured the proper carrying grips. Linemen.—The full responsibility in line work falls on the first linesman. He must watch his beltman carefully for signals, and must make doubly certain the patient has been secured before attempting to draw in. The linemen should secure patient swiftly and lose no time in getting

him to a fit place for resuscitation, as seconds may be the dividing time between a successful case and death. Reelman.—The reelman should see the line is wound on the drum in such condition that, if necessary, it could be immediately -used again without fear of entangling.