Smyrna times., 1938-11-10
Red Cross Seeks Cut
In Accident Toll
1,725, ,406 First Aiders Trained
Since 1910

Cognizant of tremendous losses in
human lives and of permanent in
juries resulting from accidents in
homes, on farms and highways, and
around industrial plants as well as
in the basement workshop, officials
of the American Red Cross have
been directing systematic fight
against what they term "this eco
nomic waste"
AS part of this nationwide effort
to reduce deaths and permanent in
juries from accidents, recent state
ment from Red Cross headquarters
in Washington reports that during
the past Il months certificates have
been granted to 295,028 persons
completing courses in the admins
tration of Red Cross first aid.
Holders of these certificates have
followed detailed courses of study,
and have been taught how to splint
fractured limbs, stop flow of blood,
treat poison sufferers, care for vic
Tins Of heat, electric shock, and
handle other common emergency
situations. The courses emphasize
methods of caring for patients until
professional medical aid can be
summoned to scenes of accidents.
Since 1910, the report reveals,
1,725, ,406 persons have received this
training from qualified Red Cross
instructors, and at the present time
20,429 persons are qualified to give
such instruction.
Bringing help nearer scenes of
possible accident, 2,454 emergency
first aid stations have been estab-
lished in strategic locations on prin-
cipal highways throughout the ma
tion, operators of the stations re-
ceiving the prescribed Red Cross
instructions and maintaining full
first aid equipment on the spot. Con-
veniently placed, they also maintain
up-to-date lists of available doctors
and ambulance services pledged in
advance to cooperate with Red
deaths and permanent injuries that
so frequently result from automo-
bile accidents.
Mobile first aid units also have
been established in cooperation with
state highway and police depart
ments, operators of public utility
vehicles and others frequenting
highways, operators of such units
also receiving the prescribed Red
Cross courses in first aid.
To cut the number of persons los
ing their lives through drowning
while swimming, the Red Cross has
redoubled efforts to train as many
persons as possible in life saving
methods. During the past year $3.50
persons received certificates upon
completion OF courses. Since 1914,
884,649 persons have been trained
in Red Cross life saving methods, in
Guiding thousands of persons in CCC
camps, beach patrolmen, camp in
structors, and school boys and girls.
Carrying the fight onto farms and
into homes, campaign to eliminate
accidents caused by careless habits
and faulty equipment last year re-
suited in self-checks being made in
100000 American homes through
cooperation of children in school,
women's clubs, farm organizations,
and other groups. The 3,700 Red
Cross chapters and their branches
in every county are cooperating in
this national effort to end needless
pain and suffering resulting from
such accidents.
These efforts to lessen such ap-
palling tolls Of human lives and use
fulness are made possible through
memberships in the Red Cross. The
annual Roll Call will be held be-
tween November IL and Thanksgiv-
ing Day, when all Americans are
asked to join or renew their affilia-
tion to ensure continuation of acci-
dent prevention measures.