No review would be complete without reference to the Society's good work in Australia, New Zealand and among the nations of Continental Europe by engaging with them in the splendid work of teaching the best way of performing a rescue, and when the victims are brought to land apparently dead to treat them correctly and to restore animation. This work appeals to human ity, and prompts men to use real and active endeavors to make the art of swimming service able to the rest of mankind. For this reason the work of the Society advertises itself, whilst the knowledge that it imparts is so interesting as to induce one to take part in it. To-day it is known all the world over, not only by institutions or clubs which devote themselves entirely to swimming, but also in most schools, as well as in military, naval and police forces. Another reason for its success is the fact that through its work the Society has created a strong tie between the teach ing of swimming and life saving and the sport of swimming. Swimming in itself is not only a sport, but a useful and healthy accomplishment in which thousands upon thousands indulge, because of the good it does them, and it is amongst those who come into the latter category that the Society by its work has created an interest which has caused many to join a club and participate in the sport it provides. Unfortunately, however, classes in life saving are not so general amongst swimming clubs as one would be led to expect. Fixture cards are to be seen which contain a fine list of class meetings, but nothing tangible has resulted. Yet these fixtures have been used to induce people to subscribe, and the funds so obtained have prob ably been used for the promotion of the sport of swimming, the members remaining ignorant of life saving. Many clubs have never attempted to promote it, the whole season being occupied by swimming for prizes and playing water polo, their fixture list being such that no time is left for the study of a subject, which must always be asso ciated with the ability to swim. Such clubs hardly ever care to have members who are non swimmers, but prefer those who, because of their ability, will strengthen their swimming or water polo team.
It is because the R. L. S. S. has linked the teach ing of swimming and life saving with the sport of swimming that it has had such a successful career, and for that reason I would most strongly urge all clubs that have not already done so to give it sup port and follow its advice by starting and' con ducting classes during the coming season. I have said that the knowledge promoted by the Society is in itself so interesting as not to need a prize to induce people to learn. The fact is proved by
the number of awards that are annually granted to those who pass its tests. For 1892, the first year these awards were granted, only 86 were registered, but with each succeeding year the num ber has increased by such leaps and bounds that in 1907 no less than 7,169 were issued, and during 1908 nearly 9,000 were granted, making a grand total of 47,500 since the commencement. As will be gathered, the past season has been a very busy one, for, besides conducting numerous displays, lectures and competitions, the Society, after much study of the subject, was the first public body to adopt the new method of resuscitation of the ap parently drowned, as devised by Prof. Schafer, of Edinburgh University. Its adoption neces sitated the publication of a new Handbook of Instruction, which had to be rewritten because all the older known methods were discarded and sub stituted by one which is so easy that anyone can learn it in an hour. This new book, 10,000 copies of which were issued, also contains chapters on the back, over-arm and crawl stroke, as well as conditions for the new award of merit which has become extremely popular because it requires the practice of swimming and life saving fully clothed, and is a step between the bronze medallion and the more difficult test known as the diploma of the Society. The writer recently passed for the award of merit and qualified for the first part of the diploma. Whilst admitting the latter is a some what severe test, it is within the grasp of all those who specially study and work up for this valuable recognition by the Society. It is earnestly to be desired that every Canadian swimmer will take full advantage of the Society's offer, as the nom inal charge for book of instructions and affiliation fees place them within the reach of all interested in the noble service of rendering aid to the drown ing or apparently drowned. America has many life saving stations, which are noble institutions; but here, in Canada's great waterways, no special attention has been given by our educational au thorities to this subject, with the result that over 160 lives were lost through drowning during last season in Ontario alone, figures which call for im mediate action to minimise this appalling loss of life.
Full particulars will be given to mayors of cities, shipping firms, fire brigades, port and har bor authorities, police, school authorities and the general public throughout the Dominion, on appli cation to any of the Society's branches, or to the Hamilton branch of the Royal Life Saving Society.