A XEW book of instruction on first aid, First Aid for Life-boat Crews, which has been prepared by Dr. Geoffrey Hale, a member of the Committee of Management, has been issued to all life-boat stations. The purpose of the book is to explain clearly and briefly the main principles of first aid; to describe the contents of the stan- dard first aid equipment in life-boats; and to indicate what can be done to help sick and injured survivors in the restricted space on board a life-boat.

Instructions are given on treatment for shock; the effects of cold and exposure and how they can best be treated; treatment for burns, bleeding and fractures; the use of stretchers; the movement of casualties; and arti- ficial respiration.

The standard first aid equipment in a life-boat consists of: 1 tin Adhesive Plaster, 3|- yds. X i in. " ." 6 Bandages, W.O.W. 2 in. Hospital Type.

6 Bandages, W.O.W. 3 in. Hospital Type.

5 Bandages, Triangular, Plain.

1 pkt. Bicarbonate of Soda, 1 oz.

size.

1 pkt. Boric Lint, size 4.

1 pkt. Boracic Powder, 1 oz. size.

2 tubes Brulidine Ointment, 1 oz.

size.

9 Burn Dressings, No. 12 Large.

1 pkt. Emergoplast Dressing Strip, 1 yd. X 2i in.

1 Eyebath.

1 bottle Iodine.

1 doz. Safety Pins.

1 pair Stainless Steel Scissors, 5 in.

9 Sterilised Wound Dressings. No. 9 Large.

4 Sterilised Wound Dressings, No. 8 Medium.

1 Tourniquet.

4 Wool Pads, Large.

The booklet describes the purpose and use of all these items.

Detailed instructions are given in the Holger Nielsen method of resusci- tation. In this the body of an appar- ently drowned person is placed in a prone position on the nearest flat surface, if possible with the head slightly lower than the feet. The patient's arms are bent and his hands placed one over the other under his forehead. Two or three smart slaps with the flat hand are given between the patient's shoulders to ensure that his tongue falls forward and to remove any obstruction from the mouth. The member of the crew applying artificial respiration kneels on one knee a little in front of and to the side of the patient's head. He then places his other foot with the heel at the side of the patient's elbow. He rests his hands on the patient's shoulder- blades, with his thumbs on the spine and fingers pointing to the feet, and with his arms sloping forward. He then begins to rock the patient gently forward and backward and after- wards raises the patient's arms slowly and pulls away gently on the back- ward rock. After this he lowers the patient's arms to the ground and repeats the cycle gently and rhythmic- ally until breathing is restored.

A copy of the booklet will be kept on board every life-boat, and in sending it to stations the Institution has at the same time issued regula- tions whose purpose is to ensure a greater degree of uniformity in the.

medical services provided at life-boat stations.

Among the provisions of these regu- lations are the appointment of an honorary medical adviser at each station, who will normally be a doctor living in the neighbourhood and who may also be a member of the branch committee, and regular efficiency tests of members of life-boat crews in first aid. These tests will ensure that at least two members from every crew become proficient in the use of first aid as described in the new booklet.

On passing their proficiency tests these two members of the crew will each receive an annual proficiency fee..