The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-13
TO SAVE DROWN Ming
Man, FIRST DROWN
HIM IS THE STUNT

Under all conditions If the person
is fighting 1 would advocate drown
ing in preference to striking" said
Park branch of the United States Vol
unteer Life Saving Corps at the an
nual meeting of the corps held last
evening at the Seaside Institute in
commenting on the best means to save
a drowning person. In explaining
later this matter Commodore Refs
stated that in these days because of
Of resuscitation it would better to
drown the victim rather than to have
him struggle and night with his say
ior, thereby possibly causing two lives
to be in Jeopardy.
By drowning in this sense Comma
dore Refs meant holding the subject
under water until insensible, this
course permitting the rescuer to bring
the subject promptly to the shore.
where modern methods of resuscita-
tion will make the rest easy.
Commodore Reis who has the saw
ing of many lives to his credit warned
against the use of water-wings by
persons who have not any knowledge
of swimming. "Two-thirds of the
near drownings at Seaside Park last
summer" he said, were from this
source. Their users become over con-
fdent of their prowess to stay on the
water. Very often the wings either
slip off. or the air gives out. They
are beyond their depth and are help
less"
Continuing Commodore Refs advo-
Gated the learning how to float first
rather than to swim. I'm nine out of
every ten cases." he said, ''it would
be much better for the victim to know
how to float than to swim. In my ex-
IN hn q
life savers it has been found much
better means with which to save ones
self. I would advocate" he said,
that the parents in Bridgeport in
struct their children first how to float.
Later it would be much easier to
swim.''
It being the annual meeting of the
corps the following officers were
elected: Commodore L. J. Refs, chair
man; Surfman A. H Buell., vice chair
man: Lieutenant J. F. Stein, treasur-
er; Boatswain Frank DeLemos, secre-
tary; bylaws committee, Coxswain
Robert Cunningham, Lieutenant w.
entertainment committee. Surfman G.
Stronge, T. A.. Synott, l.. Commette.
Lieutenant John f. Stewart, Coxswain
G. A. Spall; auditors, Surfman Rob-
ert Campbell, Assistant Lieutenant
Surgeon Arthur Lieberum: trustees.
Commodore l.. J. Refs, Captain f. A.
Clark.
The corps discussed the holding of
it's annual ball in March and put its
entertainment committee out on the
arrangements.
Next summer the corps among its
members will have a water polo team,
and will arrange games with teams
from other life saving corps. At the
present time there is team among
the members of the ROTOR Point divi-
sion in South Norwalk.
Last summer the local corps, On two
days, including Labor day, had a SER
les of aquatic sports, the competitors
all being local swimmers. The events
Wee made possible through the dona-
chants of the city. Again next sum-
mer the corps will have such events,
which will be more diversified than
ever, and will include events in
which women swimmers will be en-
tered.
bathing season numerous members Of
the corps We're stationed at the bath
house in Seaside park. The corps log,
which keeps a record of the names
and addresses of all who have been
saved from a watery grave show that
there were Is lives saved at Seaside
park during the summer and 80 first
diu CdSCS lAS~eSo' liz AOS aiSo hSpl
a record of the members Of the corps
who were on duty, the time they re-
ported and the time they left their
work.
At the present time there are Ga
members Of the corps which number
is being constantly increased. The re-
quirements of a member are that he
must be able to swim 100 yards, breast
stroke;. and the same distance on his
back. Another requirement Is that
he must be able to carry an object
weighing at least 10 pounds. (The
average weight Of man in water is