(from page 83) provided for inshore lifeboats or for conventional lifeboats, with the exception of 70' boats, but that the subject should be kept under review. This duty is now undertaken by the Medical and Survival Committee which examines new apparatus when it appears and has, up to now, continued to endorse the findings of the 1967 working group.

The development of fast, sophisticated and expensive lifeboats which called for skills and imposed strains that crews had not experienced before created a need for the introduction of medical standards, and examinations, to make sure that the crews were fit enough to make the best use of their equipment in all conditions. So in 1970 the Medical Standards working group recommended a scheme; but before implementation the Institution reformed its committee structure in 1971, and the new Medical and Survival Committee was formed to 'advise the Director and Chief of Operations on all medical matters of survival and personal protection, and to consider matters of policy regarding the above when required to do so by the Executive Committee'. Thus the new committee took over the responsibilities of the old working groups besides a number of other subjects, all of which can be summarised as follows: 1. First Aid a. Policy b. Training (i) first aid book (ii) films (iii) lectures (iv) circulars (v) exercises (vi) courses 2. Crew Safety and Rescue Equipment a. First aid equipment b. Personal equipment for crews c. Boat equipment d. Operational swimmers 3. Medical Standards and Examinations a. Medical standards for seagoing personnel and shore helpers; ages of retirement b. Medical report forms; medical examinations and periodic reexaminations c. Special cases of illness or injury and decisions on retirement tor medical grounds.

4. Medical Personnel a. Honorary medical advisers and honorary medical referees and their duties b. Exchange of information.

Symposia c. First aid personnel. Certificates.

5. New Equipment and developments in the United Kingdom and abroad, having any relationship to the above subjects.

(to he continued).