THE ROCKET APPARATUS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1921, 2 December 1913, Page 12

THE ROCKET APPARATUS.

250 LIVES SAVED IN-TWELVE MONTHS. .

During the year ending on June 30 last 250"livos were saved on tlio coasts of the United Kingdom by means o{ the rockct apparatus. Tlieso were 75 more than tho average for the previous ten years, but 17 less .than the number saved in the twelve months ending in June, 1012. ' Since 3870 ,tho total number of lives saved by the rocket apparatus lias been 99G7. This total is exclusive of a largo number saved by means of ropes' and other assistance from shore. . _ The figures are given in the annual Board of Trade report, issued last month. The report shows also that new rocket apparatus has been established during the year at.twelve stations, while a heaving-cone and halfwhip apparatus lias been placed on Dover breakwater.- Two rocket apparatus stations and olio heaving-eone station have been closed. Tho total number of life-saving stations iiow under the control of the Board of Trade is 349. There aro also 203 stations supplied with belts, or belts and linos for life-saving purposes. This is a reduction of 11-1, as compared with the total on June 30, l'JOo, thn diminution being duo to reductions in tlio coastguard and the abolition of coastguard stations. In addition to the coastguard, there were, oil June 30, 399 life-saving companies, numbering in all 'l< r >29 volunteers, and fivo brigades, with a, total membership of 3IG, employed in tho life-saving service. During the year four silver and eleven hronzo medals j for gallantry in saving life at sea wero j awarded by the King, and several j money awards wero granted for special services in connection with tho working of the apparatus. In addition 1120 of Ihe King's medals were awarded for long and meritorious service with the rocket life-saving apparatus. Tho Board of Trade has adopted for use in the rocket life-saving service Professor Sir E. A. Schafer's method of arlificial respiration for the apparently drowned, and the directions given for its use are printed with illustrations in the report. Shortly stated, the method consists in alternately applying and relaxing pressure with the hands oil tho small of the patient's back, after lie has been placed in a completely flat position, face downwards, with the arms extended and the face turned to one side. Tho object of the downward pressure is to force the air out of tlio lungs and that of the relaxation of pressure to cause the air to be drawn in again. Tho pressure lastf. while the operator slowly Miiints three, and tlib "relaxation while he .'.!;>w!v counts two, the forward and h.-x-bvard movements of the operator heiur* continued at the rate of about 12 in '!.■> per minute till natural breathing hns connvKnccd, and, if necessary, persevered i" for two or three, hours.