SWIMMING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 26 November 1927, Page 8

SWIMMING

(By

“Diver”)

A METHOD OF RESUSCITATION. HOW TO GO ABOUT IT, The notes in this column have dealt mainly with learning how to swim, and “Diver” has received many congratulations on the articles. The learning of swimming, however, is but one side of the question in respect to the ever-incrcasing number of deaths by drowning. Too fre quently is it the case that through the lack of knowledge how to restore the breathing life has been lost. Resuscitation is an operation which comparatively few are able to perform. especially swimmers, and yet it is just as important as getting a dron'ning person out of the water It is often found that while assistance may lie forthcoming, as far as actual rescuing is concerned, aid in the direction of resuscitation is another matter. Even if one is not a swimmer, resuscitation is something that should be known, as the knowledge may save a life. The following description is right up to date, and although modified will be found quire sufficient to meet any case of drowning.

After being lifted from the water, the patient should be placed face downwards on the ground, with the side of the face resting on the arm, which should be extended sideways and bent at a right angle. If on a beach, the patient should bo lying with the head toward the sea. so as to get full advantage of the slope of the beach. Care must be taken that any foreign matter in the mouth is removed, especially false teeth, and that the tongue is well forward. Immediately this is done resuscitation should be commenced at once in toe following manlier. The resuscitator will then kneel astride the patient, placing bis hands on the patient’s back, with thumbs parallel, about three inches apart, according to the stature of the patient, the tip of each thumb being just below the angle of the shoulder blade, and fingers extended as wide!? as possible on each side of the body, over and round the lower ribs. Resuscitation will then be proceeded with, at the rate of from 12 to 15 times per minute, bv leaning forward, keeping the arms straight, and steadily allowing the weight of the body to fall over upon them, and so producing a firm downward pressure, which must not be violent. the object being to press downward towards the ground in order to decrease the chest cavity. By this means the water is driven out of the patient’s lungs. Immediately thereafter the operator will swing backwards, rapidly releasing the pressure, but without lifting the hands from the patient's back, thus allowing the ribs to swing back and increase the size of the chest to induce the entry of ai r into the Innga. This forward and backward movement will be repeated until natural respiration is resumed. If it is resumed, and, as sometimes happens, again tends to fail resuscitation again to be resorted to. When breathing has been restored, the promotion of circulation will then be proceeded with immediately, the heart’s action has been seriously affected. This is done by rubbing first the insides of the legs and thighs from ankle to groin, then the arms from hand to shoulder by a drawing motion with the flat of the hand or with a dry towel, to cover as much surface as possible. The movements must be brisk, the intention being to force the blood through. the veins. In addition to this, warmth can later be obtained by wrapping the natient in warm clothing, by the application of hot-water bottles or hot packs placed under the arms between the legs, and on the soles of the feet. If sufficient help is forthcoming the promotion of warmth may be carried out while resuscitation is in progress, 100 much emphasis cannot be laid on the necessity (1) for imnjediatelv sending for a doctor: (2) for continuing to work on the patient till medical opinion decides that life is extinct. Stimulants should never be given except by doctor’s orders er until the patient has been hilly restored and can swallow naturally. NOTES AND COMMENTS. It is likely that an invitation tn visit Australia this year will be extended to Joyce Cooper, the l*-year-old star of the Mermaid Swimming Club, Txindon. states a Sydney paper. That fine swimmer. Miss Dons Magee, who is the New Zealand 100 yards intermediate ehamnion and record-holder, has reversed her decision to remain in Sydney this summer, and is expected to arrive back in Auckland some tune towards the end of this month o r early in December, » * * Following their decision to send a water polo team to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games arAmsterdam, the South African Swimming Union resolved to approach the Amateur Swimming Associations m Great Britain with the suggestion that the team should make a tour of Great Britain prior to competing at Amsterdam. The expenses of the tour could, it is thought, be arranged on a profit-sharing basis. # # - The coming championship meeting is probably the first in New Zealand tor which a separate chanipionsbm secretary has been appointed. The secretary of the Otago Centre this near is Mr. C. B. Lewis, the wellknown breast-stroke swimmer. He is devoting his energies to the ordinary affairs of his centre while his colleague. Mr James, attends to championship matters. The arrangemeo’ appears to be a very good one. for it ha s often happened in the past tha» the ordinary affairs of a centre have Imd to suffer through the preoccupation of the secretary with championship matters. The Australian swimmers who returned home recently from a trip t? Japan, did not, as a team, swim tin

to home form, says an Australian writer. Keg. Grier of Queensland, was the star of the Australians and did even better than at home, but all the others found the water too cold, and the food not to their likin' Grier on one occasion swnm f -'W metres in 2min 25 4-ssfec. The water was never warmer than 58 degrees, and once, when competing in water of 52 degrees, the Australians had to cover themselves with thick oil to counteract the chill.

For some considerable time now things have been in a bad way with the Manawatn Centre of the N.Z.A.S.A. At the beginning of last season the headquarters of the Centre were shifted from Palmerston worth to Feilding, but those who expected that nil improvement would follow this change were unomed to disappointment. An attempt was made recently to hold a meeting of the Centre but only three .members attended. Mr. W Nicouue. who has been secretary for the past twelve months, is moving to Wellington, so that in addition to being m a condition, the Centre is losing the services of its principal working official.

Competing at the Bondi Baths, Sydney, recently Miss Jean Cocks, who is aged only 12 years, swam rou yards in the remarkable tune of 1.55 2-5. This is only 10 3-ssec slower than the world’s recor' 1 for this distance, held by Gertrude Ederle. and only 4 2-ssec slower than the Australian record standing to the credit of Fanny Durack. registered some nine years ago at the Domain Baths, Sydney, says an Australian writei. Last season Miss Cocks surprised the New South Wales officials b- registering some splendid performances for one so young. If not overdone, and with proper coaching much should be heard of this promising swimmer this season

Alter some years of inactivity the Nelson Club has been revived and is applying to the Wellington Centre for affiliation. The formation of the club follows tlm completion in Nelson of the new baths. For some considerable time swimming in Nelson was at such a low ebb that it became necessary tor the N.Z.A.S.A. to wipe it off the list of Centres. When this notion was taken the Wellington Centre was entrusted with the administration of the territory of the Nelson Centre. The revival of the club in Nelson is a honefnl siop that before very long there will lie a distinct improvement from the swimmin,, viewpoint in that part of the Dominion.