LIFE SAVING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20219, 1 February 1934, Page 7

LIFE SAVING.

Status Issue Referred to London. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. > The New Zealand Council of the Royal Life Saving Society met last evening; present—Messrs G. E. Billson (chairman), H. J. Ballin, F. J. Glackin, S. K. Bassett and F. J. Lawrence Scott. On the motion of the chairman, it was decided that the question of the status of the council and the centres be more clearly defined by referring it to the Central Executive in London. A letter was received from the Auckland Centre expressing appreciation of the action of the council in deciding to hold the annual conference of the society .in Auckland during the surf lifesaving championships, and agreeing to make the necessary arrangements. The Canterbury Centre advised that it had appointed Mr Bassett delegate to the annual conference. Method of Resuscitation. Mr A. C. P. Handover, vice-president of the Royal Life Saving Society, London, forwarded a copy of a paper on “ Recent. Developments in Resuscitation.” which he had read at the Empire Conference. He stated that some time ago Mr S. J. Marks, the chief secretary, had incorporated in a letter bo the council some points he had requested from the writer regarding the “aside” versus the “ astride ” position for resuscitation. Later they had learned that the council had adopted the “aside” for all challenge competitions, and were very pleased. The Americans, who had been strong advocates of the “ astride ” position, the letter continued, had apparently found out some of its weaknesses in actual practice, as indicated by the following extract from the new edition of the American Red Cross First Aid Textbook:—“lf one lias to give artificial respiration over a prolonged period of time, particularly if the patient is large and the operator small, straddling both thighs will be found a very uncomfortable position. Straddling one thigh is just as effective, and usually much more comfortable.” Mr Handover commented that experience had shown that both knees at one side was equally effective and still more comfortable. With regard to the Empire Conference. Mr Handover stated that Mr Struthers had upheld New Zealand’s point of view very well. Hawke’i Bay Centre. It was agreed that the president should confer with the Hawke’s Bay Centre regarding reorganisation. Advice was received of the formation of a branch in- Nelson. It was decided to recognise the branch, subject to settlement of the boundaries, and to accept its affiliation. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon J. A. Young) wrote advising that the Government had received an invitation to send a representative to the Fourth International Congress for Life Saving an! First Aid. to be held in Copenhagen. Denmark, from June 11 to June 15. The Government regretted that it was unable to send a representative to the congress. The secretary reported that he had replied, stating that, if the circumstances warranted it, the council would endeavour to arrange to be represented at the congress by a suitable New Zealander resident in Lonodn. Wigram Shield. The New Zealand Surf Association wrote pointing out that as the issuing of the surf medallion is now the work of the Surf Association, it considered that points awarded for it should not count for the Wigram Shield. It was decided to reply that the matter must stand as it is for this year, but the council would consider deletion next year. Mr Ballin suggested that the life assurance societies should be approached with a view to obtaining a grant towards the work of the society. He said that the life saving societies probably saved the insurance offices thousands of pounds. The chairman said it was a capital suggestion and was well worth consideration. It was decided to discuss the subject Informally with the New Zealand Surf Association, with a view to joint action being taken. The Otago Centre forwarded a remit for the Dominion conference that the original conditions for the Wigram Shield should be reverted to. These conditions consisted of a water test between four members of a team. The present conditions are based on the number of life-saving awards gained by the centres in proportion to population.