Shortly after the appearance of the articles dealing with Mr. Wilson's system of drill, the author forwarded a copy to the society. In the main it was the same as that drawn up by the sub-committee previously referred to, but rrot having had experience in the teaching of rescue methods their system was lacking in some respects. Finally, Mr. Wilson kindly offered the drill to the society, and it was printed and circulated in the form of a handbook, after examination by Dr. W. Collingridge, the Medical Officer of Health for the Port of London, and Mr. Andrew Clark, F.R.C.S., who, although not altogether agreeing with every detail, advised the executive to give it a fair trial.
This drill has formed the basis of that now used, which is simply a modification of the original system so as to bring it into conformity with the views of the society's honorary consulting medical officers, with the addition of various com mands from the 'squad drill' in the Infantry Drill Book,' permission to reprint which was granted to the society by the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The revised drill is, by permission of the society, reprinted in this work.
In recognition of his most valuable services to the cause, services which should ever be remembered by swimmers, Mr. Wilson was elected the first life governor of the society.
The first year's work was nearly all that of organisation, but in 1892 the society gained such support from the public that a national competition for teams of four from any school or club was inaugurated. A very valuable shield was presented by Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, as a perpetual trophy, and in addition they provided gold, silver and bronze medals for the winning teams. Twenty-four entries were secured, so that in all ninety-six individuals competed in the first year. The ties were drawn according to districts, and the final ended in a win for the Nottingham Club, who had beaten South Side, Glasgow, and Leeds in the earlier rounds. Ravensbourne, a London house club, took second place then, and won the fol lowing year, an unprecedented success in the history of 'house' clubs in a national competition. In addition to holding the Challenge Shield for one year, the four members of the winning team were each awarded a gold medal. The second team received silver medals, and the third and fourth teams bronze medals. In view of the large entry for the contest the executive decided to create district and divisional competitions, and awarded bronze medals also to the two teams who were at the head of such districts or divisions, but who failed to qualify for prizes in the penultimate and final ties.
Soon after the handbook was published, classes of instruction were formed in different parts of the country. They were all well attended, and many of the members passed the examina tion for the proficiency medal. The subjects of examination are as follows :—(a) The in formation contained in the society's hand book ; (b) efficiency in the drills for rescue and releasing one's self from the clutch of a drowning person to be demonstrated on land and in the water ; (c) resuscitation and treatment after natural breathing has been restored. The classes are gradually spreading over the country, and many valuable lives have been saved by the agency of those taking part in the drills or wit nessing the demonstrations. For instance, on October 15, 189; a lighterman, while working in the Surrey Commercial Docks, slipped off his barge into twenty or thirty feet of water, and, being unable to swim, at once sank. Assistance was rendered, and after having been immersed for three or four minutes the lighterman was brought to the surface in an apparently lifeless condition. A contractor named Edward Nicholls, who had seen one of the many free demonstrations of the Life-saving Society given in the docks, assisted by several deal porters, immediately put into practice the knowledge he had gained, and when a doctor arrived the man had recovered conscious ness, and circulation was being restored.
Classes of instruction are held, not only all over the United Kingdom, but also in other parts of the world ; and it is pleasing to add that branches have been formed in New South Wales, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, India, Western Australia, Malta, Scotland, Manchesterand district,.Birmingham and district, and also in several European countries, notably in Sweden and Italy. The Handbook of Instruction issued by the society has been translated into Swedish and Italian ; thus the work of teaching the best methods of saving life from drowning is gradually spreading. The formation of so many foreign and colonial branches is eloquent proof of the interest which the subject has aroused. Inquiries are constantly being received from almost every British dependency as well as from the leading Continental swimming associations and other societies. The members of the medical profession have been most assiduous in helping the executive of the society, and many valuable suggestions have been received from them.