STUDY OF LIFE-SAVING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 6, 22 January 1937, Page 5

STUDY OF LIFE-SAVING

School Instruction Necessary

That the only practicable method of reduci/ig New Zealand's annual death-from-drowning tally is to make lifesaving and resuscitation compulsory subjects in the schools, and that it should be part of a school teacher's equipment to bet well versed in these, is the opinion of two members of the executive ojc the Hawke's Bay Swimming Centre, Messrs W. Heffernan and W. Harvey,.both of Napier. When discussing the Westshore beach fatality, involving the death of the eight-year-old boy Laurie McRae, they said this morning that they did not agree that beach patrols were the solution to the prevention of death by drowning. "What is being done in Napier towards a study of the proper methods of life-saving and resuscitation F" was a question put to both these men this morning. "T'hirteen life-saving medallions have been earned this season, and two teams (one a women' s) are almost ready to go up for their examinations," said-Mr. Hefiernan. Mr. Harvey, who is assistant-seere-tary of the Hawke's Bay Swimming CentrOj said that life-saving medallions were eertainly useful to have, but all the talk about beach patrols would not do any good, because it was quite impraeticable to have trained men patrolling the beach all day and every day. "I'm going to write a personal letter to the Minister of Educationj the Hon, P. Fraser, asking whether steps can be taken to make life-saving and resuscitation compulsory subjects in the schools," he added. Mr. Heffernan : Yes3 I think also that school children should learn these subjects, in addition to being taught to swim. Beach patrols will get us nowhere. Mr. Harvey I wonder how many school teachers who take children to the baths can swim themselves. Also how many teachers know anything about teaching a child to swim? The j whole thing wants to be properly con- i sidered by the Education Department. j The Hawke's Bay Swimming Centre ; is going to consider the question of lifesaving at its next meeting.