Evening star., 1942-02-15
Nv TOM COLEMAN.

by lOM COLE1ANs
oscar" has made his debut as a
Coolidge High School first-aid in
structor.
In addition to using books and
other practical methods in the
teaching of first aid and life-saving,
Coolidge has acquired an electrical
exhibit, which, according to In
tor Sherman Rees, jr., is the most
unusual Of its kind ever developed.
The apparatus, called Oscar by the
students, Is the brainchild Of Edward
j. Bunker, 1912 First avenue, Silver
Spring, Md, father Of a third
semester student.
While visiting a convention some
time ago Mr.. Bunker observed a
milk bottle with two balloons inside,
representing the chest and lungs OF
human being. When he returned
home to his hobby of constructing
electrical gadgets he decided to rig
up his elaborate demonstration Of
artificial respiration.
Chest Is Glass.
oscar" Is showcase rigged up
with two wooden dummies, which 60
through the actual motions Of the
administration of artificial respira-
ton. The dummies are about 10
inches in height, one lying in the
position of victim of drowning or
suffocation while the other kneels
over him in the correct stance of a
Red Cross worker. The chest of the
patient dummy has been replaced
with glass so that the balloon lungs
can be watched during the expert
ment On one wall of the showcase
is revolving card which contains
numbered items telling how to start
and follow through with the respira-
ton.
When the experiment begins the
doll-victim is slowly receiving respi-
ration. As the doctor dummy pushes
his weight against the others body
you can see the air leave his lungs
and when he eases up the pressure
the lungs slowly inhale. This action
becomes steadier and faster until,
finally, the breathing is normal and
the patient begins to show signs Of
life.
When the patient-doll has fully
recovered his eyes, which have re-
manned closed through the demon
stration, slowly open and a feather
placed In front of his noStrils moves
to indicate the experiment is sue
cessful. A clock on one of the walls
automatically turns off the machine
at the close Of the demonstration,
usually lasting ~ to S minutes.
Performs for Officials.
After a successful tour of Coolidge
and several other schools, oscar"
was taken to Franklin School, where
he performed during classes at
tended by Superintendent of Schools
Frank w: Ballou, DR.. Chester w.
Holmes, assistant superintendent,
and other school officials. Later he
win continue his tour. and the
teachers hope that every student
will see this unique exhibit and
profit by 1t.
Formerly only seventh and eighth
semester students were allowed to
follow the flrst-aid and Nfe-saving
courses, while the others received
instruction in health education, but
the need for recruits in the ranks
OF civilian defense organizations
has forced the instructors to include
every one. The course contains les
sons in bandaging, artificial respira-
ton, splinting, treatment of wounds,
shock and fracture and the trans
portation Of casualties. Although
the Red Cross requires only 20 hours
for the completion Of these subjects,
the Coondgers have spent nearly a
whole semester in a thorough study
Of every phase.
When they have finished their
studies Of first aid and life-saving
the Coolidge students will take ex-
aminations, both written and prac-
tical, which will test their ability
and worth as Red Cross workers.
Students passing with. an A or B
average will be given cards and
certificates qualifying them as able
frst-aiders. Then the lower Sc
mesters will return to their health
education while the seniors con-
tinue with advanced first-aid work.