LORD Grey of Naunton, GCMG GCVO, OBE , has beelil appointed Bailiff of Egle of the Order of St. John in. succession to the late Lord Cozens-Hardy who died on September 11.
Lord Grey becomes the 44th holder of this al'lcient office which originated in the 14th century and is of the Great Offic(ts of the Order.
Loud Grey's prime Iiesp0l'lsibility will be to advise, help and em:Ql!Irage St. Johfl COlilm:ils ifl their c01!11ilties no extend the scope of all the Order's activities to the rmaximum possible extent.
A New Zealander by birth, Lord Grey graduated in law at the Auckland University College and Pembroke College, Cambridge, and was made a Barrister and Solicitor of the Slilprerne Court of New Zealand in 1932 at the age of 22.
Appointed
REVIEW
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
BAILIFF OF EGLE
Bailiff of Egle, inside front cover
At Random, by Watkin W. Williams p.1
Grand Prior's Trophy p.2
Knights and Dames invested p.4
What is a public duty? p.6
Around and About, by the Editor p.8
Know your snakes, by W. J. Wright p 12
Arrivederci Roma p 14
Who ll replace Shirley? p.14
Ambulances, part 5, by Brian Rockell p.16
Readers Views p.18
Mobility at a price p.19
Going Dutch - News from Scotland p.20
Order Investiture, Nov 20 p.21
News from Divisions/ Centres p.22
Vis4al Aids p.24
In 1936 he was selected as a probationer for the British Colonial Administrative Service and in the following year was posted to the Administrative Service in Nigeria as a Cadet.
In 1954 he was appointed Secretary to the Governor General and Council of Ministers in Nigeria. He became Chief Secretary of the Federation in 1955 and was its deputy Governor General· from 1957 to 1959.
From 1959 to 1964 he was Governo r and CormmaIilder-inChief British Guiana and from 1964 to 1968 Governor and Commander-in -Chief of the Bahamas.
In 1968 he became Governor of Northern Ireland, an office which he held until 1973.
Since then Lord Grey has been Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Development Corporation
THE GRAND PRIOR'S Trophy Competitions, held annually at the Seymour Hall in London at the beginning of December, provide an exciting climax to the year's programme of competitive first aid training throughout the whole of the St. John Ambulance Foundation in the United Kingdom. The 22 competing teams were the winning finalists in one or other of the national competitions held by the St. John Ambulance Association for the Police, the Fire Brigade, the Post Office, a wide range of national industrial concerns, and the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Many thousands of men and women throughout the country are actively involved in these competitions for many months before the great day arrives: one therefore expects the first aid at the Seymour Hall to be outstanding in quality; and in the mainthough even the best first-aiders occasionally suffer from an attack of 'competition nerves' which makes them do foolish things that they would very probably not do in a genuine emergency - that expectation is amply fulfilled. It was a special pleasure this year to have our new Grand Prior with us to witness the latter part of the competitions and to present the trophies. His Royal Highness is no newcomer to first aid and watched the teams' performance with a critically appreciative eye, for he first qualified at an Association first aid course some 13 years ago and still holds a valid certificate, while the Duchess of Gloucester (formerly a Staff Officer at Brigade HQ and now Commandant-in-Chief of Nursing Divisions in the Priory for Wales) currently holds valid certificates in both first aid and nursing. In his speech before presenting the trophies the Grand Prior warmly congratulated both the winners and the losers, adding 'except that in this game there are no real losers'. He then went on to speak of the vital importance of spreading basic knowledge of first aid as widely as possible throughout he whole community, with special reference to our aim of having 'a first-aider in every home and to the 2-hour Emergency Aid sessions that we shall shortly be holding throughout the country and which will be specially publicised on television.
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5
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Second
Grand Prior's Trophy
Avon Firemen push Lancs'
into 2nd
THIS
' S Grand Prior's Trophy competitions , hejd at Seymour Hall , London WI , on Dece mber 3 , was the 26th competition for men, the 24th for
The championship trophies , the silver equestrian statuette for men and the Horsham Rose Bowl for women , were presented by the Duke of Gloucester , the Grand Prior of the Order of St. John. It is estimated that more than 21,000 firsta iders took part in the preliminary and eliminating competitions throughout Britain over the pa st year which led to these finals
Eliminating competitions leading to the 1976 finals have already started
Third
Knights and Dames invested
By the Duke of Gloucester, the Grand Prior, at St James's Palace
THE LAST reception and investiture of Knights of the Order of St. John was held in 1964 and owing to the prolonged illness of the late Grand Prior, with the exception of the historic investiture by Her Majesty The Sovereign Head of the Order at Buckingham Palace in 1971, no similar ceremony has taken place for a decade.
The following Knights of Justice and Knights and Dames of Grace were received and invested by the Duke of Gloucester , the 65th Grand Prior of the Order:
Those who have received the Accolade of the Realm and are Members of ChapterGeneral:
Sir Andrew Murray, OBE.
Major Sir Michael Hawkins KCVO, MBE.
Sir Leslie Monson, KCMG, CB.
Colonel The Lord Mais, GBE,
Those who have not received the Accolade of the Realm and are Members of Chapte'rGeneral:
Those who have received the Accolade of the Realm and are not Members of ChapterGeneral:
Sir Duncan Cameron Cumming KBE, CB
Colonel Sir Thomas Eric St. Johnston CBE,QPM.
Sir Hugh Norman-Walker , KCMG , OBE. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Varyl Begg
GCB , DSO, DSC.
Air Chief Marshal Sir John Davis, GCB. OBE
Sir Harry Platt, Bt.
Colonel Sir Carew Pole , Bt. , DSO TD.
Sir Charles Wi![iam Hayward, CBE.
Sir John Willison OBE , QPM
Those who have not received the Accolade of the Realm and are not Members of
Chapter-General:
Colonel Francis Lane Fox , DL.
Charles Smith-Ryland
The Lord BamaJrd , TD.
Air Commodore Thomas John Grahame
Price
Colonel Geofrey Hurrell, OBE.
Dudley Aubrey I rel a nd
Captain Robert James Wenley , TD
Nicholas Robert Turnbull
Brigadier Theodore Edward Dudley Kelly, CBE.
Captain Philip Herbert Earle WelbyEverard, DSC , RN.
AT RANDO
(contd. from page 1 )
The - winning team in the men's competition for 1975 was the Fire Brigade team from the County of Avon; the Lancashire Constabulary team (the previous year s winners) came second , and the Port of London Authority Police team were third In the women's competition the winners were a smashing team of girls from the Lancashire Constabulary; a team representing British Railways from Glasgow came second , and a Cornish team from English Clays Lovering & Poch i n Co. Ltd. came third. Congratulations to them all- and indeed to all those who competed - remembering that the whole object of the exercise is not primarily to win a trophy (splendid though that is for those who do so) but to make each one of us better able to give compassionate and life-saving help to our fellow human beings at any moment of accident, suffering or distress , "and that ' in this game there are no real losers
Adventure ahoy!
'All of us - even the ordinary peoplecan adventure.' I heard these words spoken by Sir Edmund Hillary on the Radio 4 Today programme a few months ago, and they at once brought to my mind the title of Col. F. Spencer Chapman s book 'Living Dangerously' and started a train of thought which could be a challenge to us all at the beginning of a new year , a year in which we prepare to move forward imto the second of our Foundation s Service to Mankind.
It would be hard to find two men better qualified by their experience, example and personal convictions to speak on living both adventurously and dangerously than Hillary and Spencer Chapman. Both have, in their differe mt ways, encouraged and inspired young people to develop qualities of character and leadership through exposure to risk , to test themselves to the utmost and
Noel Sydney Bailey Vinter
Brigadier Bryan Anthony Gervais Jones, DSO.
Commander Mavourn Baldwin Philip Francklin, DSC, RN.
The Earl of Malmesbury
Colonel Robert Ernest Winter Johnson, OBE , TD.
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Margadale, TD. Brigadier Robert Arthur Phayre, DSO.
The Lord Hamilton of Dalzell, MC.
Squadron Leader Jesse Edwin George Hancock, DFC.
The Lord Astor of Hever
to gain confidence from discovering how much they can achieve.
This theme has been developed in the monthly 'Talking Point' article in a recent issue of The Call. which concludes: 'The idea of living dangerously is one the spirit of St. John easily accommodates as being compatible with Service to Mankind.
Perhaps there is a need to emphasise both goals when we strive to attract young people to St. John think we shall do well to ponder these wise words and apply them to our older as well as our younger members. The service of mankind must always be a challenging adventure , and our training for it must be challenging and adventurous too. Many of our leaders are already aware of this fact and act on it: those who do not are in danger of losing their right to hold positions of leadership , for they have certainly lost the power to lead: theirs are the divisions which sooner or later fold up through lack of purposeful and adventurous programmes , inability to see opportunities for new ways of serving when in a changing society some of the older ways disappear, and consequent inability to attract new recruits
A real winner!
Last January I told you that Geoffrey Trease was writing an adventure story for young people, based on the history of the Order of St. John in the days when its headquarters was in Rhodes. Though I must confess to having lived far too long without having even discovered Geoffrey Trease's stories I've been making up for lost time during the last couple of years and I think that his latest , The Seas of Morning ', is the best of the lot - which is saying a good deal!
Those who are Members of ChapterGeneral:
Jane Bouverie, Mrs. Lyle, ERD. Margaret Joyce Lady Power
Those who are not Members of ChapterGeneral:
DBE.
The poster fo r SJA s new 2-hour Eme rg e n cy Aid sessions
Miss Trimmer
Lady Mary Clementine Pawle
I lent a copy of the typescript to the Chief Officer for Cadets a -few weeks ago, and he brought it back to me the next afternoon saying: 'I picked it up as soon as I came into the office this morning and I never put it down till I'd finished it! ' A lot of work has to be done between the time when an author finishes writing a story and when it appears on the bookstalls, nor can any publishers - least of all in these days - make an absolutely firm promise, several months ahead, about prices or dates of publication. But we have every reason to hope that 'The Seas of Morning', which is being published as a Puffin paperback, will appear in October, in good time for Christmas and our centenary year. So please keep a sharp look-out for it next autumn, and try to be patient till thenwhich I'm finding very difficult because I already know what it is like and can promise that you'll find it a real winner!
(Above)
Mrs, Dorothy Bingham-Hall, from Somerset , and whose articles have often appeared in the Review, being invested as Dame of Grace, (Below) Colin Rees Jenkins being invested
THE SURREY COMET vividly answered that question for its readers when it published these pictures taken by Colin Green 00 Bank holiday Monday at Hampton Court, when thousands of people visit the fairground, the palace and the riverside - all of which is first-aid covered by SJA Teddington.
Reporter Phillip Cooper, also with SJA for the day, wrote:
'There were lost children, wasp stings, cut fingers ... Then an unconscious man was found - to be taken to Kingston Hospital. An 8-year-old girl, who fell out of a swing-boat and gashed her forehead, was taken to West Middlesex Hospital. In the SJA tent an elderly lady collapsed, complaining of pains in the chest, then refused treatment, , a woman appeared with a lacerated foot an elderly man falls while running for a bus, knocking himself out and breaking an arm and shoulder", within 60 seconds an ambulance is there, to take him to hospital. After 12-hours of non-stop activity, the day is over. There have been 21 casualties. The first aid post is closed. Div. Supt. Peter Howard dismisses his members. They go home exhausted. Another public duty has been completed. Tomorrow it's back to work.' Wot - no overtime?
(Left) Off to h ospital. Staff Sg t, Michael Sayer, and Ambulance Members Gary Lee and Michael Solomans pick up a drugs case (Below) After falling over in the street. an e ld erly man needs Entonox
(Above) There , that looks much better, doesn it ? Nursing
Member Margaret Lee cleans a cut thumb, whi le ts owner does his best to be brave. (Below) On the lookout for trouble. Ron Noble and Staff Sgt. Sayer patrol the fairground while keeping in radio contact with the first-aid post and ambulance
(Above right) A day at the fair turned to tears for this little boy when he sudden ly realised that he was lost until the comforting arms of SJA 's Margaret Lee found him. (Be low right) An elderly lady wi h pains in her chest refuses treatment and poses a problem for St. John
GREETINGS
Christmas and New Year greetings, which arrived too late for the December Review, were also received from the Area Commissioner and staff of Birmingham Area.
REFRESHING
The following letter was received by the Managing Director of Rolls Royce, Crewe. Mr. Derek Howard is an ambulance member of Rolls Royce Motors Division.
Dear Sir,
I am taking this opportunity of writing to yourself to compliment a member of your staff i.e. Mr. D Howard of 25 Ruskin Road, Crewe, who, without thought for his own safety, came to my assistance after I had had an accident in my car on the tlth N0vember.
At the time I was partially trapped in my car and Mr. Howard, who is a member of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, helped to free me. He then allowed me to wait in his own car until an ambulance arrived to take me t@ hospital.
It is indeed refreshing to realise that in this day al'ld age there are still some 'Good Samaritans' on the road.
R. Franklin
TO THE RESCUE
I hear that Hereford No.1 Nursing Division member Mrs. Marion Youngs was involved in a sea while on holiday in last summer. (Photo below).
A woman trying to save her husband was herself being swept out to sea when Mrs. Youngs went to her rescue. Back on the beach, 45-year-old Mrs. Youngs gave the unconscious woman artificial respiration until an ambulance arrived to take her to hospital, she later recovered.
The woman's husband managed to struggle ashore.
AROUND and ABDUl
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN
APPOINTMENTS
HQ: Dr. R. J. Donaldson to be anAssistant Surgeon -in -Chief.
Hampshire: Mr. R. W. Harris appointed Commissioner
Mrs. Youngs was rock-climbing with her husband and daughter when she heard cries for help.
'I saw a man in the water and a woman being swept out by the current I waded in fully clothed and grabbed her,' said our delightful and obviously very practical Mrs. Youngs.
That's the stuff, Marion.
MY SLlP'S SHOWING
In the report on the Presidents' Conference (December Review) 1 credited Princess Margaret with ubiquity - she was in fact in Australia at the time and not at the
conference. I can only suggest from my error that our Grand President was there in thought
SIR ROBERT SAYS
That Sir Robert Mark, Commissioner of the Metropolit an Police , is well known is an understatement. His successful technique in handling the recent Spaghetti House kidnap situation in London brought praise from all over the world . What is not so well known is his unbounded admiration for St. John Ambulance.
Speaking recently at the London District medical conference dinner , Sir Robert made it plain that his attendance was no mere formality, but was to be taken as a demonstration of 'the strength and sincerity of my feeling and those of my Force for your Order, for the service it gives to mankind and for the ideals which it strives to fulfil '.
He hoped his attendance would prove that he saw it as an opportunity to pay tribute to a body of men and women who deserve and enjoy the esteem and gratitude of the whole Police Service and the Metropolitan Police in particular'
BY THE EDITOR
SJA's Mrs Youngs re!!:eiving a plaque for lifesaving frr011il the Mayor of Hereford. See story TO TH E RESCUE. (Photo : Hereford Times)
Commenting that London District with its thousands of members brings succour to nearly a quarter of a million people each year , and that the selection for the award of the silver statue presented by the Metropo litan Police shou ld present difficulty among so much merit he went on 'on every occasion on which the Metropolitan Force foresees the need for your attendance, you are there. You have given more active help to the police and to the people of London in times of disturbance , disorder and crisis than any other organisation in this country, and Ol!lf admiration and gratitude for your men and women, for your Order and for all that it represents is literally unbo l!l tlded'.
He continued by saying that the police share the common ideal of service to anyone
MIND BENDERS
MEDICS MEET
For a quarter of a century London Distr ict surgeons and nursing officers have held an annual conference at which they debate current issues
Direction to jab (4 2 Two gi rls ogether, could be dangerous (5 5) 3. Buns are included (5) 4 Look at a cushi o n (3 3)
Answers: - Upside down
are at bottom of page II. No cheating.
in need of help; and he spoke not only for himself but for the men and women of the Metropolitan Police , with 'a geniuine sense of appreciation and gratitude - we hope you will continue your efforts unabated and undeterred by economic or other difficulties - giving inspiration to us all
SJA call girls Diane Fleming , Heather Brown and Margot Ellingworth. See story CALL GIRLS?
At the 25th conference, held on October 26 , after an introduction by District Surgeon Claude Osborn , and a 10-minute address b y Commissioner Derek Fenton , the assemb ly went straight into discussing a present issue - bomb disasters.
(R ght) For the third year Leics Co - op Nursing Cadet Divisi o n included a f ashion show w ith members parading t heir c reation s, at the annual parents eveni n g during O ctober. Other divisions as well as
The speaker w as the Consultant Surgeon of Birm ingham s Accident Hospital, Mr. London , w ho wi th the sister-in-charge of the Major I nj urie s Unit at Birmingham dealt with Birmingham s tragic bomb disaster of 1974. Thi s important subject continued until lunch
After lunch , with an opening by Miss P hister D istrict N ursing Officer the conference dealt with hypertension , medical aspec s of the Rome duty, how to teach first
aid and ended with a discussion on whether there was a need for a new type of nursing competition.
This Sn. John gathering of professional medical and nursing personnel reinforces the conviction that London is fortunate indeed to have such a large body of unselfish and highly qualified people for expert advice and guidance.
CALL GIRLS?
'For immediate availability ring Epping and ask for Diane on Monday nights. Margot on Wednesday nights , Heather on Friday nights'. No. this is not an advert in the local newsagent's, writes SJA Aeromedical Services Derek Clark, but the written instructions concerning three of the St. John Air Wing flight controllers who provide. by means of a rota, a 24-hour service for the rapid transportation of kidneys used in transplants. The controllers organise the transportation - by arranging where necessary for local airfields to open. volunteer pilots to pick up the kidneys and fly to the airport nearest the receiving hospitaL and keeping the Organ Matching Service at Bristol (who match the available kidney to a donor in Europe by means of computer) informed of the progress of the flight.
In other words they're doing a great job for man.
In the picture (previous page). taken at the Air Wing's Epping Control Centre during a discussion about kidneys(!) are (L to R) Diane Fleming, Heather Bowman and Margot Ellingworth Housewives Diane and Margot are not members of St. John but volunteered to help run the Air Wing following local publicity in Bishop's
WANT A HORSE?
Stortford, Herts, where they both live. The difference in their home lives since volunteering for this job, they say, is that kidneys no longer appear on their menus, they've noticed a rapid flow of adrenalin (with a consequent rise in heart beat and blood pressure) whenever the phone rings, and a tendency to pace up and down between' phone calls during a kidney flight (where time is of paramount importance).
In addition to the Monday night 'phonein' Diane has also volunteered to undertake all the typing for the Air Attendant Service - a mammoth task. However, she says it keeps her fingers nimble!
Heather has been a St. John member since the age of eight and is currently Corps Staff Officer (Eastern Area). She works as a secretary near S1. John's Gate during the day, SJ moonlighting on Friday nights. She has the distinction of having successfully coped with the controller's nightmare - two kidney flights to different places occurring at the same time. Both Heather s parents are also Air Wing flight controllers. while Mrs. Bowman is also President of Chingford Division and was made a Serving Sister of the Order in 1974.
So the next time you read of an Air Wing flight. remember it could well be handled by call-girls Diane. Margot and Heather.
80th BIRTHDAY
Blackpool Nursing Division. which was 80 years old last November, does not claim to have set any records in service. But it does claim to have been a strong, hard working division from its formation till today And being a busy holiday town, Blackpool provides a great deal of work for its SJ A members.
of his knowledge of first aid he spent the two years nursing at the RAF Hospital at Rawton, Wiltshire.
This enlarged his experience and knowledge in the medical field, and Mr. Molloy wondered whether or not to make nursing his career. To make sure, after he completed National Service he returned to Newton -Ie-Willows but not to the mines.
Instead he worked for a year as an auxiliary nhlfse in a large hospital at Whiston, and decided that this was the life for him.
Between 1963 and 66, Mr. Molloy trained and qualified as a Registered Mental Nurse at Winwick Psychiatric Hospital, where he became a staff nurse.
The next step was to obtain his State Registered Nurse's certificate, and for this Mr. Molloy trained at Warrington General Hospital for two years, qualifying in 1968 and being appointed staff nurse and then charge nurse at this hospital.
From here, Mr. Molloy obtained the post of Departmental Head at Whlston Hospital near Liverpool. In 1973 he came to Northallerton as Night Officer, and last June
The division considers the three most important events in its 80 years as: the organisation of receiving war wounded during the first world war; the reception of evacuees at the outset of the second world war; and the many years of hard work raising money to build its fine new HQ which was opened by the late Lord CozensHardy. The building is free of debt.
The division was started in the Chief Constable's office in 1895, but none of the original members is alive today.
Proceeds from the Division 's 80th birthday celebrations have been donated to the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital.
DANNY'S THE BOY
Joan Walkland, of Northallerton, writes:
Besides provid ing a most satisfying and worthwhile hobby and a very necessary service to the community , how many people ever think what being a me:nber of S1. John can lead to? It was certainly the first step for young Danny Molloy, who lived in the mining and heavy industry area of NewtonIe -Willows Lancashire, to becoming Senior Nursing Officer of the Friarage & Rutson Hospitals in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.
From the age of ten, Danny was a keen and active member of St. John Ambulance Brigade. reading, studying and practising until he was awarded certificates and the Gold Medallion. Times were hard', and at the age of fifteen Danny got himself a job as a coal miner. working underground and training as an apprentice fitter. Because of his experience and prowess in first aid, he became an efficient and reliable member of the mine's rescue team
In 1960, he was one of the last to be called up for National Service, and again because
Mr. Daniel Molloy was appointed Senior Nursing Officer of the Friarage & Rutson Hospitals. Quite a step for the young cadet who started as a member of St. John,
THE PATIENT
Sg1. D J Davey , Sec and PRO Westbury Combined Division writes:
Having to undergo hospital treatment I thought I would record my impressions of hospital life from the patient's view in a modern hospital in the South West.
On arrival I was shown to my bed and documented in the ward by the ward clerk , who deals with patients' documents, telephone messages, medical certificates mail and other documentation. Later in the day I was given a thorough medical examination by the hard working doctor , the time was 1O.30pm , so the clock does not come into the working hours of this profession.
The ward is cheerful, bright and comfortable , and contains thirty beds , with individual curtains to each area, bed light, locker and if required pillow radio. Visiting hours are from lOam to 8pm, which is a great help especially for visitors who have to travel some distance. Treatment and visits from the respective doctors take place with the minimum of disruption to patient and visitor Apart from the Specialists' rounds there are no set times for doctors to see the patients. This I feel is good for
MIND BENDERS (answers)
plld OA3 '17
patient/ doctor liaison: the patient is not keyed-up waiting for the hustle and bustle that follows the type of rounds of past years, and more information is passed to the patient , whose mind is eased, which promotes recovery.
From my bed I can see the cardiac care unit , which is one of the most modern in the area. The treatment for those who are unfortunate enough to require its services is first class, with all stops pulled out when an emergency arises Even when this happens in the ward, the team on call comes in at the double.
Nursing standards here are very high , medicines and treatment dispensed and recorded as laid down in the Nursing Manual. As this is a teaching hospital student nurses carry out the taking of pulse temperature, blood pressure and injections and issue of medicines under supervision
Welfare services of S1. John and the Red Cross supply the mobile library and portable telephone facilities.
When death occurs in the ward the final care and after-death services are carried out
I THE MEDIC
He studies in his spare time , he joins the old brigade ,
To ra ise the level of his skill, in rendering first aid.
He tre ats each one w ho comes along, according to his needs , regardless of their colours, their religions , or their creeds.
His job is often messy , but he mustn 't show disgu st
His manner must be tactful he must not betray th e ir trust.
For he 's the man that no one wants, when t hin gs are looking bright,
quietly behind screens and only the most observant would know what has taken place. Different hospitals vary their treatment and conditions, but from what I have seen of hospital care in the 70s I appreciate and am grateful for the care and attention given during the many tests, some rather unpleasent that I had. The medical and nursing staff earn more than they receive for the tasks they nave to carry out.
CROSS WORDS
In Crossword No. 10 (75), October Review, there was an error, points out reader Kathleen Fowler, of West Yorkshire's Bingley Division
The solution to 25 Across was given as B-ASE, but the clue and the answer were incorrect. Our compiler Mr. Potter made a last minute alteration to his puzzle but omitted to change his clue (and I didn't pick it up).
25 Across clue should have been (ironically): 'It's an annoyance to change step.' Answer: PEST.
A pest , indeed.
He's somewhere in the background, often out of sight.
But when the call for MEDIC comes, he ll be there at the double
And for one brief moment he's a saint , to those who are in trouble
He knows the nights of practice, have not been spent in vain, with a little careful handling this child will walk again.
But when the actions over, and everyone has gone,
He'll say a silent humble prayer , to the memory of St. John, Walter Graham, Northumbria
Lt Co l. W. D H. Duke (left), who retired recently as SJA Commander and Commissioner , Somerset, but remains a member of SJ Council, receiving a presentation from the county's Lord Lieutenant , Col. C. T. Mitford-Slade who is h imse lf a former commissioner. Watching is Mrs. O. Faulkner, County Pres ident, and the new Commander and Commissioner, Rear Admiral J. D Trythall. (Photo: L. G. Charrett, Taunton)
(Abov e) A n Egy p tia n c obra - al e an d menacing ( Left) A bla c k and white cobra showing tongue
Photo s: Mi ch ael Lys t e r, The Z o ologi ca l Society of London
YOU ARE walking down the street one day in uniform when someone calls out to you that 8i person has been bitten by a slilake. If this h appened during the summer you would probably think , an adder ', but during the winter you would no doubt think that the person was joking. But it could be true
For throughout Britian there are probably hundreds of cobras , rattlesnakes , coral snakes , etc, kept as pets in heated surroundings all the year round.
Being a herpetologist (one who studies reptiles) , I know that it is possible to obtain in this country anything from a 14-foot King Cobra to a one foot tropical viper. Agreed they are normally only sold to people who are supposed to know how to look after them but during the past few years several people in Britain have been bitten by these species of snakes , and in fact some have escaped but have fortunately either been recaptured or killed before they have done any harm.
There are approximately 2 ,400 known species of snakes in the world , but only
upper ends of the fangs are embedded in the gums and are connected to the venom gla mds, which lie in tne \!l pper jaw. Running the full length of the fang is a canal. When the snake bites the poison glands are compressed, thus forcing the venom or poison down through the canals and into the wounds caused by the penetration of the fangs Should the fangs become dislodged or break off there is always a spare pair ready to take their place.
In the first two groups of snakes mentioned the fangs are short and fixed, but in the vipers they are much longer and are erectile. Normally the fangs of vipers lie flat along the roof of the mouth, but when the mouth is opened to bite the fangs become erect, ready to penetrate the victim's skin. When the viper has completed the bite and closes its mouth again the fangs return to their normal position. Once the glands of venomous snakes have been emptied they may take several hours to refill.
It is as well to remember that baby snakes are born with venom apparatus ready to use , and which is very effective.
Effects of snakebite
When people are bitten by venomous snakes, especially one of the larger species, they automatically assume that they will die. As a result of this assumption they go into a state of shock recognised by cold , clammy skin feeble pulse, rapid, shallow breathing and perhaps semi - consciousness.
It has been found however that in a large number of cases these signs disappear dramaticaly if a placebo injection is given, followed by whatever treatment is required.
Venomous snakes often have two types of bite: one type is used on prey, a sufficient quantity of venom being injected in order to kill the prey; the other type of bite is used as a warning , little or no venom being used. In fact a snake sometimes gives a warning by striking with the mouth closed, but this is not to be relied upon.
Only about a quarter of those bitten by venomous snakes in the tropics develop serious systemic poisoning
However, in any patient where venom has been injected the effects are usually ver y painful. There is a varying degree of tissue
myoglobinuria as early as one to two hours after the bite, and by the development within a few hours of respiratory failure.
In the case of poisoning by viper bites these are severe if, within two or three hours , swelling is above the knee or elbow, or haemorrhagic signs besides haemoptysis develop.
In all cases there may be renal failure.
If death occurs it is usually most rapid in the case of bites from the cobra group. Respiratory failure , inhalation of vomitus or secretions, and weakness of respiratory muscles are the main causes of death, which will occur within five hours of the bite.
Death from seasnake bites usually occur within twelve to twenty four hours after the bite and are brought about by the same factors which cause deaths from cobras and others in th is group
Deaths from viper bites are not so rapid and may take as long as three days to occur , the main causes being shock and haemorrhage into vital organs. This of course applies mainly to bites from the bigger species of viper such as the rattle
OUR SNAKES-
about 250 are of the venomous kind .
It is estimated that 30 000 people die each year throughout the v: orld from snakebite but this is apparently only a fraction of who are bitten and in Africa and Asia many of the village people who get bitten either tr y to treat themselves , or go to a witch doctor or some such person , and these cases go unreported.
Venomous snakes can be placed into three groups: the first consists of the cobras , mambas coral snakes , kraits and the Australian land snakes ; the second group con s ists of the sea snakes ; while the third group contains the vipers, including the rattlesnakes and pit vipers
The poison apparatus of snakes is a complicated but highly effective system. The fang s are situated at the front of the upper jaw one on ea c h side and in all species the fangs and t eeth are directed backwards. The
Snake venom
Venom is a toxic saliva containing many enzymes and toxic protein substances
Besides poisoning the snake's victim the saliva helps to lubricate its food so that it can be swallowed more easily and it also helps to digest the meal.
Snake venom is harmless if taken by mouth , and is only harmful when injected under the skin , when it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream doing great damage to the tissues, perhaps resulting in death.
Depending on the species of snake involved, venom attacks different tissues to varying degrees. In the group containing cobras neurotoxic poisons predominate, in the seasnakes myotoxic poisons predominate , while in the group containing vipers vasculotoxic poisons predominate
destruction, which , if severe , may take several months to repair. Local swelling is an invaluable sign of viper envenoming , which occurs within a few minutes venom has been injected. In the case of cobra envenoming , however , swelling may not appear for several hours.
The most important diagnostic signs of snakebite are :
Cobras and others in this group: Ptosis and glossopharyngeal palsy
Vipers: Bloodstained saliva , followed later by non -clotting of the blood.
Seasnakes: General myalgia, followed after about three or four hours by myoglobinuria.
Poisoning by cobras and other members of this group is severe if there are neurotoxic signs within one hour of being bitten, and if there is a rapid development of respiratory failure.
Severe seasnake poisoning is shown by
snake , gaboon viper etc , bites from our European viper rarely being fatal.
Medical treatment in hospital must be started as soon as possible after the bite, but until the patient arrives at the hospital some first aid treatment will be helpful. The area ,around the bite should be cleaned and covered with a dry dressing. Do not apply a tourniquet , as this could precipitate or aggravate any local necrosis but a firm but not tight ligature just above the bite helps to compress the tissues and so delay systemic absorption of venom if it has been injected
Perhaps you have glimpsed at the first aid t reatment for snakebite near examination times - just in case - but having read so far you may now realise how important it is to study this treatment carefully and to remember it. Because someone in your street may keep a venomous snake, and it may be y ou who is called if his pet turns nasty
The
Sidney Cane stands leh
Swiss Guard
Mrs. Muriel Holdham, CSO from Grantham, who was on the 8th week of the Rome duty, writes:
One unusual duty during the course of the week was to look after the Swiss Guards who we kept supplied with drinks. The guards who were on duty at the rear of the fkst aid post were in the sun all the time and, wearing their red, blue and yellow uniform of trousers and long jackets, with black beret, they were in real danger of heat exhaustion.
Other guards at the Arco delle Campagne (Arch of the Bells) were generally in the shade but still got very hot and thirsty. The uniforms are thought to have been designed by Michaelangelo or Raphael.
The Vatican's Swiss Guard date back to 1505 and consist of some 100 . men commanded by a colonel. Apart from the NCOs and officers, the men have to be unmarried for the Vatican duty. They are however allowed to marry after they have served 5 years. Each canton (county) supplies so many guards for the tour of duty during which the flag of the canton, including a numeral to signify how many come from the Canton, hangs in the Guard room in the Via di Porta Angelica. Their duties are to defend the Vatican City and guard the person of the Pope. Other police duties are undertaken by the Ufficio Centrale di Vigilanza. The Vatican State also has the Guardia Nobile and Palatine Guards who
Arrivederci ROMA
both serve as Guards of Honour.
By car
Div. Supt. S. Cane, of No, 30 (East London) Ambulance Division, went to Rome with his wife by car
They crossed the Channel by the Dover/ Calais ferry and stopped the first night at Chaumont in France, 290 miles from home Next day they crossed int o Switzerland at Pontarlier , had lunch at Montreux, and then went through the St. Bernard Tunnel to spend the next night at Savona. On the third day they took the Autostrada del Sol to Viareggio, to rest for the afternoon and evening, and went on to Rome on the fourth day.
Mr. Cane acted as treasurer (he was also interpreting) for the SJ A teams for the week. He was given a catering allowance by the SMO for food to be bought for all members' lunches , which were taken at the post. For dinner, each member was given a voucher for 2000 lire to present at the restaurant which had an arrangement with the hotel where members stayed. During Mr. Cane's week members had a 700lire each kitty for drinks during meals At the end of the week the kitty was in surplus.
The total journey by car was over 2,800 miles.
From my level
Mrs. P. Groom, Divisional Superintendent, Felixstowe Nursing Cadet Division, writes: Many times during our Rome trip - and especially at a late hour in the Barberinione of our dear team members, Eric, would stand up and say: 'I don t know how they picked us. But I could'na have done better
How true that was.
From the beginning at Heathrow I had my own private views on that. They picked the tallest and in some cases the broadest. But how was 1 - a mere five feet - chosen? At first 1 was protected and looked after; by the end I was looking after most of them.
Who else , 1 wonder, was fortunate enough to occupy Room 51O? Was I the only one to hear that dreadful clock, not content to chime every hour but every quarter as well?
I didn 't miss many of those chimes the whole week - and that's how I became the knocker -u p for our shift. Me, who's always last to crawl out at home! And what embarrassing moments this led to. I'd knock on the door No answer, of course. Then I'd advance, eyes almost closed, to cover up the lads before daring to wake them. Or retreat to knock again.
Did anyone ever get hot water in Room 5 10? Our complaining simply drew forth Domani'. A cold shower at night and a cold
wash in the morning - we got used to and enjoyed it. We wondered how the American got on who carefully explained at reception that he wanted a bucket of ice cubes sent to his room. Was he joking?
We were fortunate in that many of our team were competition-minded. How 1 enjoyed the discussions and arguments on how it all should be done; especially with Doc B, on his knees to be at my level, one night at Fontana Trevi.
1 remember the patient who enquired of Erica and I 'Parlez vous Francais?' 'Oui,' we replied and struggled to find out his troubles. He was American - and reverted to English.
Is Eric's real mum now washing his socks? I dread to think of Doc C's financial state - has it recovered?
There are so many lovely, funny things to remember At the end I was overcome with heat dead-beat and nearly asleep on my feet. But we'd all go again tomorrow.
Miss Shirley Osborne, DBa, a volunteer for the last year at our hospital in Jerusalem, writes:
FIFTEEN MONTHS ago I was living in England and had never thought of visiting the Holy Land 1 wanted to work abroad but in a country with a completely different way of life and culture to the UK. A few months later 1 found myself in a plane bound for Israel, to work at the St. John Hospital in Jerusalem I dutifully spent the journey learning my '100 words of easy Hebrew' suppl,ied by El Al airline, only to learn on landing that I was bound for East Jerusalem, where the majority of people speak Arabic and the hospiltal serves mainly the Arab population. However having lived here for nearly a year I'm now very happy the way things worked out.
Jerusalem is a unique city because it really
is poised on the edge of two culturesWestern and Oriental: traditional Arabs riding donkeys and carrying brilliantly coloured plastic shopping baskets ; television aerials sprouting from the rooftops of the Old City faster than desert plants after the first rain ; Mercedes cars vying for space with battered Arab buses; while in the distance the dusty , sun-bleached but beautiful hills of the Judean desert as they have done for thousands of years. For someone who ha s never li ved abroad, Jerusalem is an idea l choice. It has all the excitement and surprises of a different culture and country , yet the easy possibility of returning (if only temporarily) to the world of cinemas, department stores and western ways.
After England adjusting to hospital work im these surroundings is a fascinating experience. The problems and priorities of
Arab patients are very different - at times causing frhlstration at others sheer amazement! It is often pitiful to see the state of their eyes - particularly when so many accidents and problems are caused by ignorance and neglect. It is a place to see li ving examples of some of the pictures in books on ophthalmology.
Obviously in the hospital interpreters are needed, but outside of work there isn't much of a language 'barrier', Many of the people speak some English or French, but even if they don ' t the Arabs are so hospitable and friendly it's amazing how well you can communicate, although you do need a certain amount of time patience and sense of humour! I find the Arabic language fascinating and I'm sure I shall be using Arab expressions back in England, as they are so ex pressi ve.
Living in the beautiful hospital compound has also been an experience for me. The expatriot hospital staff is fairly small and we live in a little world of our own, but I think we all gain from rubbing shoulders with each other. Everyone is keen to get out and see the country and learn more about the Arab way of life. Coming here alone, I found there were far more opportunities for sight-seeing than I had imagined. Outside the hospital there are quite a few other English-speaking groups, so there are plenty of ways to fill one's spare-time. But if you just feel like being lazy it's a beautiful climate in which to be lazy!
Soon I shall be returning to England. It wi ll be sad to leave the sunshine, friendly people , wonderful countryside and the 1001 things that make the Oriental life so fascinating. But what memories I'll have
view from the top of the dome of S1. Peter's Basilica taken by Dr. Michael Weller, COl!lnty Surgeon, Esse x. Div. Supt.
(Left Siesta time for Mrs Margaret Hanks % Wilts' Shrivenham Division , (Above) Back with mementoes, two Portsmouth members (leh) Miss Denise Windsor , Div Supt. Milton Cadet Division and Mrs. Marion Braley, Nursing Officer Portsmouth Nursi ng Division. (Photo Portsmouth & Sunderland Newspapers) meself.'
Shirley Osborne at work
AMBULANCES part five
The role of SJ vehicles at major incidents; and legal points to remember
by BRIAN ROCKELL
is designated to assist with casualties the accepting hospital will be given to the driver by the ambulance inc ident officer.
When called to assist at the scene of the incident the driver should follow the authorised route and not take alternative routes to get closer to the scene, where here may be further risks (eg , fire) ; the crew must ensure that both they and their vehicle do not become endangered If the incident is in open country, the adjoining ground will probably beoome churned up by emergency vehicles; unless the ambulance is specially equipped for cross -country work (eg , LandRover or Range -Rover) drive across such soft ground with caution.
emergency j o urn ey but it should be remembered that the driver may have to justify his action later.
Lighting Under the Road Vehicle Lighting
Regulations of 1964 certain types of vehicles are not allowed to u se blue flashing lights, but an ambulance is exempt from this regulation. Similarly it is illegal to use a rear mounted white light (other than reversing lights of specified wattage) but an ambulance is exempt if i uses a floodlight to illuminate the scene of an accident.
Construction and use
Major incidents ON THE RARE occasions that major incidents occur, St. John vehicles will probably be used by units called out to transport members to the scene, but casualties at all but the very largest incidents will be handled by ambulances of the Regional Health Authority, whose emergency procedures include back-up vehicles from neighbouring authorities.
This use of SJ vehicles as transport helps to smooth the way to the scene of the incident, for heavy traffic congestion invariably builds up on all roads leading to a major incident; and at the scene itself parking a vehicle can be another problem. All of which can impede the emergency services, e>f course.
At the Trident disast€r, in Staines, Middlesex, in 1973, traffic congestion spread for several miles from the scene and St. John ambulances had some difficulty in getting through it. But ambulances to transport memb€rs, rather than them bringing several private cars, does help to alleviate the problem of congestion.
Approach soft ground with caution ...
Ambulances going to a major incident should proceed in the same manner as for an emergency journey, with particular care being exercised when approaching the scene itself. The location given will probably be an outer rendezvous point, from where all the emergency services are co-ordinated. The actual incident may be a mile or two away. On arrival the driver should switch off his vehicle's blue flashing light and report to the senior ambulance officer at the ambulance control point. It is important to switch off flashing lights as the police control post is distinguished by flashing lights; additional lights may cause confusion. Members brought in the ambulance will report to the St. John liaison officers, who will form them into parties to be taken to the scene. The ambulance crew should remain with the vehicle and be ready to move off at a moment's notice. It is unlikely - unless they are the first to arrive - for an ambulance crew to be detailed to give first aid at the scene. Usually, a SJ vehicle arrives at a later stage, when first aid teams are already in action and casualties are being taken to ambulance loading points at an inner rendezvous close to the scene of the incident. Where ever practicable, these loading points are situated so that ambulances do not have to reverse to load casualties.
If sufficient Regional Health Authority ambulances are available, the ambulance incident officer (the senior officer present) will not use St. John ambulances. Regional authority ambulances work a different radio waveleggth to ours, so control of SJ vehicles by the authority is more complex. The authority will mave designated hospitals in the regiofl for casualty reception, and as one becomes overloaded another is designated. This changing information is transmitted by the regional health authority. If a SJ vehicle
When the ambulance is used to transport members to the scene of an incident, later it may not always be possible to trace the members for the return journey. Soon after arrival they will be split up into teams and dispersed while the ambulance will probably go on other duties which could take it miles away. So arrangements should be made for the complement to meet later at a predetermined spot (although of course this could be impracticable, depending on the nature of the incident).
Althol!lgh major incidents are encountered infrequently , all ambulance crews should understand how ambulances operate at the scene. Then , when the time comes they will work with the strict discipline which is adhered to by all ambulance crews.
It must be emphasised , however , that arrangements at major incidents differ throughout the country , and terms such as inner rendezvous' and 'liaison officer may not be in use everywhere. M. V. Moring s article Major Incidents (Review , March and April 1975) covers this subject in greater depth
Legal requirements
Although in popular fiction and on TV it appears that the driver of an emergency vehicle is exempted from the responsibility of his driving, in real life this is not true. The driver of an emergency vehicle - be it a fire engine , police car or ambulance - is required to drive with a greater sense of responsibility than the more usual road user. In certain circumstances the law has been modified to allow for the mission which the emergency vehicle is carrying out.
Speed limits
Section 25 of The Road Traffic Act (1960) states that no speed limit shall apply to any vehicle when it is being used as an ambulanoe provided that the observation of a speed limit would be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle on that oocasion. This section of the Act exempts drivers of ambulanoes from speed limits only if it is wholly necessary Effectively, this circumstance would only apply to an
The Moto r Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1966 , state that vehicles may not u s e gongs , bells , sirens or alternating two - note horns. Ambulances are exempt from thi s regulation The law has also been tightened on pa s senger cars which were at one time all o wed to sound multi-note horns (th ey oft en pla y ed a tune ), but this is now illegal on cars registered after 1972 and the onl y multi -note device allowed s those on emergenc y vehicle s.
Pedestrian crossings
The Pedestrian Crossing Regulations , 1954 , state that it is an offence for vehicles t o wait in the area between the studs which are on both side s of the crossing. Ambulances are exempt provided that the vehicle does not remain any longer than nece ssary , eg , to collect a casualty , and also provided that the vehicle could not , effectively , park elsewhere A similar exemption appli es to the cross-hatch yellow section of bo x junctions
Parking a n d obstruction
A number of la w s cover this section. The Prohibition s of Wait i ng - Clearways
Order, 1963, makes parking on the carriageway of a clearway an offence but an ambulance is exempted from this The Traffic Signs General Regulations of 1964 makes it an offence to stop adjacent to double white lines but again ambulances are exempted. The Motorway (Traffic) Regulations make it an offence for vehicles to park on a motorway and for people to walk on a motorway, and although ambulances are exempted particular caution should be exercised at the scene of a motorway incident, as very dangerous conditions exist The advice of an attending police officer should always be sought before undertaking any parking or walking on a motorway. The greatest care should always be exercised.
Obstructions are covered by the Highway Act, 1959 and the Road Traffic Act, 1960. The Highway Act makes it an offence wilfully to obstruct the highway without valid excuse. Naturally an ambulance attending an incident has a valid reason but the Road Traffic Act deals with a more serious offence, dangerous parking. This offence can be caused by a driver who leaves a vehicle in such a condition, position or circumstance as to cause danger to other persons on the road. Ambulances are not exempted from this offence as it is part of the driver's responsibility to ensure that he is not causing danger to other road users. As can be seen from these exemptions the law can only be modified if it is completely necessary to do so, and ignoring these laws cannot be considered justified if it is merely more convenient. Under no circumstances should traffic signs and signals be disregarded.
In this context , it is worth remembering the words of a Lord Chief Justice: ' Emergency does not excuse the duty of care
DAD' S ALLY
MY TINY HAND IS
from S. P. Kelly, Ambulance Member
In August 1975 Review, County Staff Officer J Clirmalil asked, among other things, about the wearing of white gloves for male officers.
The Deputy Commissioner-in -Chiefs reply included the fact that 'so long as the white gloves were worn in Review Order and Church Parade Order it could be left to the discretion of officers to decide what gloves (if any) they should wear on occasions'.
Ambulance Dress Regulations confirm that gloves (white simplex nylon) are to be worn by officers for Review Order and Church Parade Order and are 'optional' for Public D1!lty Order and when proceeding to and from such duties.
NCOs and ambulance members, however, have no such option and neither do nursing officers, NCOs or members although 'Black gloves may be worn for travelling'.
Why does the Brigade persist in obliging its members (all but its ambulance officers) to wear white gloves which by their very nature are:
a) Imp(')ssible to keep clean in working and travelling situations.
b) Impractical in use, ie. removal and care whilst rendering first aid or other ancillary tasks.
c) Ineffective in keeping hands warm or clean in cold weather.
d) Inexplainable when worn in indoor or warm weather situations that do not justify hot weather wear.
Certainly such accessories can have a place in ceremonial or drill situati(')ns, but can anyone truly justify their obligatory use in public duty situations, especially when ambulance officers have an option and nursing personnel appear to be able to change in mid-stream?
London S. P Kelly
The Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief writes:
Though I hope that neither Mr. Kelly nor any other ambulance personnel are so literal-minded as to imagine that they are expected to wear white nylon gloves while rendering first aid , carrying a stretcher, driving an ambulance or travli\Uing to and from duty on a bitter winter's night, I agree that there is a case for (a) having the same rule for officers as for other ranks, (b) making white nylon gloves obligatory solely on ceremonial occasions , and (c) tidying up the reference to gloves in Ambulance Dress Regulations. This matter will shortly be looked into, but neither Mr. Kelly nor anyone else must 'beat the gun' by anticipating any amendment that they may hope for!
CADET WASTAGE
from K. Y. Chow, Divisional Superintendent
I totally agree with the comments of our Deputy C-in-C (Review. November) on cadets and their officers. It is about time all officers and members addressed officers of cadets according to their ranksdivisional superintendent or divisional officer Officers of the cadets would agree, I am sure, that we are constantly encouraging our senior cadets to seek promotion to the adult divisions and ex-cadets in adult divisions to work for the Grand Prior's Badge Officers of the cadets may be young in age. but many of us joined the movement at the age of eight years as St. John juniors, while some of the officers of the adults joined at a much later age.
My experience while serving for eight years with SJA in Malaysia is that some senior cadets are more proficient at first aid than some of the adults.
Shrewsbury
ST. JOHN'S DAY from Miss Dilys Leake K. Y Choll'
Re letter St. John's Day (Review, September), it gives me great pleasure when members of an Area or County rally together to get a few new members, or to join forces and travel to London for St. John's Day.
READERS VIEWS
Readers' views and OpiniOnS , whi c h should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Found ation s. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen -name, writers must supply their name and addr es s to the editor.
But I find that many members , not only at divisional level , do not seem interested in the great occasion at St. Paul ' s Cathedral , while others who would like to go do not get the opportunity.
I s this simply a break down of communication in some Areas?
A LARGE FIELD DRESSING
Edit: The following letter, which appeared in The Lancet, April 1975, should interest members:
In the treatment of multiple trauma associated with high -velocity accidents or civilian strife a need has developed for a very large field dressing sufficiently protective and absorbent to cope with large oozing wounds, burns , or blast injuries. Apart from the Roehampton burns dressings, I believe that the largest commercially available dressing measures 8in x 13in. ( Ambulance pad , Robert Bailey & Son Ltd Marriot Street Mills , Stockport). Following the example of the North Yorks Road - Accident After-Care Scheme and others , I tried to improve on this by designing an inexpensive simple dressing , easily reproducible in any hospital central sterile supply department. Such a dressing has been tested and approved by a motor-race rescue unit on the racing circuit.
I_ _ I b ;,.. s _ _
WCUNl)
Accouchm e n pa d adapted as large field dressing
The basis of the dressing (see sketch) is the maternity accouchement pad (Bailey & Son) consisting of a double -thickness rectangle, 18in. x l6in. o f iJ2 in cotton -wool and Y2in gamgee bound in thin cotton -weave gauze. To two corners of this are sewn on pinned 3in. Kling or Crinx' loose -we ave cotton bandages. The whole is folded bandages outermost. and double-packed in autoclave bags before sterilisation. The pad can be cut if necessary to provide 9in. x 16in dressings In our experience such a dressing is easily applied , is well tolerated , absorbs blood or exudate in large amounts, and is suitably protective. I am grateful for help from the Central Sterile Supply Depa rtment, General I lilfii rm a ry at Leeds Sh iple.\'. Yorkshire Andrew K. Marsden , M edical Advis er. N orthern Race and Ral1y R escu e Marshals Club.
TWO interesting vehicles were demonstrated to SJ A members who attended the JUH camp at Rhaunen Germany , 18 months ago. They were a rescue car and a large mobile operating theatre.
Rescue car
The Mercedes-Benz rescue car , which normally carries a crew of three , a driver an attendant and a doctor, was designed to give a fast and safe journe y from the s cene of an accident to ho s pital while medical aid is being carried out on the patient. The vehicle - its design is the result of much re search and experience - and the equipment it carries is very sophisticated.
The most important item of equipment is the stretcher , which is mounted in the centre of the vehicle and comprises three partsan air mattress the stretcher itself and an electro-hydraulic str etcher platform.
The stretcher platform can be r a ised o r lowered for various procedures or (j) perations, by the hydraulic system with push button control s mounted on the roof
The sys t e m can also raise or lower just the head of the stretcher for treating such conditions as shock or patients short of breath. The platform is also used for unloading the stretcher. The rear section of the platform can be low e red and its upper section, carrying the stretcher then slides Qut to overhang the rear of the ambulance. Very little lifting is needed for both loading and unloading as once the stretcher is on th e extended platform, the hydraulic sy stem carries it into or out of the vehicle
The stretcher is a fairl y basic type made of light alloy , pla stic and very strong fabric. On it is a Laerdal vacuum mattress made b y Asmumd S Laerdal of Stavanger , Norway which has two valves - red and white. The red valve is for suction , the white for inflation . With the p at ient on the mattre s s side -strap s pull the mattres s around him A
foot -operated pump sucks air from the mattress which being filled with polystyrene balls th e n moulds itself to the body of the casualty. Thi s is especially effective as a bod y-splint and no other splints need be a pplied for a bod y fracture The mattress is al s o ver y effective for internal or multiple injurie s and , together with the vehicle s specially designed suspension, makes speeds up to 90mph comfortable for the casualty
Pad s are also carried to clip onto the side of the s tretcher to help keep the patient in any unusual po sition , s uch as the recover y position , during t he fa s t trip to hospital.
On arri v al at an accident the rescue -car s team ma y s pend from 10 to 20 m inutes carr y in g out ba s ic life -saving procedures as follows :
\. Jaw raised and head back to open airwa y -if not breathing:
2 Amb u bag with normal mask - if not breathin g:
3 Ordinar y airwa y inserted - if not breathing
4 Intubation tubes are inserted down the tra c hea to the lung s Often in this process the lar y ngoscope can break the front teeth. This intubation tube is then connected up to the ambubag for dire c t passage of air from the b ag to the lun gs. This life-sa ving sequence t a kes I t o 2 minute s
For ease o f access t wo ambubags are mo unted on the wall near t he head of the stretcher Also moun t ed here are two suction sys t e m s , one motor driven , the other by the ox yge n sys tem and a complex oxygen a dmini s trati o n system.
Be low thi s equipm e nt is a series of d raw e r s containing mu c h of the vital
equipment, including drugs saline drips, catheters intubation tubes, medication sprays, and various bandages and dressings. Beside this is the doctor's seat , which is mounted at the head of the stretcher (with safety-belt), and behind the seat is a sink unit with water from a foot pump.
Two boxes of additional equipment are also carried The first , on the near-side wall, include s a list of possible uses for its contents , such as: minor amputations, lung punctures , intra-venous drips, tracheostomies , and emergency child birth.
The second is termed the 'breathing box' and contains intubation tubes , laryngoscopes, airwa y s , etc.
The centrally mounted stretcher can be moved to one side and two stretcher racks lo wer to provide a total of three berths , but it is ver y rare for three caualties to be carried.
Other equipment includes a defibrillator , radio six fluorescent lights and one highpower swin g light for operations
What does s uch a rescue car cost? At lea st £ I 0 000. The model demonstrated , which will operate on the autobahn , covering onl y a 20 to 30 mile stretch of road, would be about £30 ,000
Mobile operating theatre
This large lorry-type vehicle comprises two sections: the container back part , and the cab and chassis Developed for use at the Ol y mpic Games , different containers are a vailable for different medical fuctions; j oined together they form a field hospital.
The unit inspected had three roomso perat ing theatre, recovery room and a preparation room. Equipment included a full y- h y draulic operating theatre - as good as is found in many hospitals - with very po werful lamps , operating instruments , sterilizer s , oxygen and entenox and various a n aes thetics An intricate heating and c oolin g s ys tem keeps a constant temperature in the operating room.
U nfortun a tely few details of this vehicle were a vailable and when enquIrIes were made of the possible price , the German o fficer s huddered and simply said ' Priceless'. M. J. Summers, A I M 19
RHfUNGSWAGfN
GOING DUTCH
Mrs. Lappage's SOflS Nick and Andy present a trophy in Holland
KINGSTON UPON THAMES and Delft (Ho ll and) have been linked as twin towns for 23 years and many friendships have been t h rough this association.
W€ - my husband Gordon, our sons N ick and Andy, and myse lf - decided to join in with this scheme in 1974 and offered to accommodate one or two Dutch people whe n they came to Kingston. We were introduced to two sisters, Marian and Joke Dam, and yo u can imagine our surprise w h en t h ey to ld us that their father worked for the R ode K r uis (Red Cross) as a full time amb u la n ce d river. We showed the girls over SJA Kingston's five ambulances and they were quite impressed and took back several photographs Their visit went very quickly and soon everything at home returned to its usua l routi n e.
I mentio n ed Mr. Dam's work to our divisional secretary, Geoff Francis, who told me that he had been trying to make an official link with Delft through our work. When I explained that I would be going to Delft in 1975, he handed me the previous correspondence and said I cou ld take over.
My first letter was to Mr. J OlJdraat, of t h e De lft Rode Kruis, telling him of our
NEWS from SCOTLAND
Edinburgh
On October 19 many members and friends of the Edinbu r gh Association paid an organised VISit to St. John's Hospice. Carberry. w h ere they were entertained to tea. Great interest was shown in the new 'Television Room' which has been bui lt onto the hospice with the help of a generous gift from the Clothworkers Company of London.
John trophy to the best cadet of the yearalil d then they were given special Rode Kruis tee -stil,irts, biros, badges posters, etc, while I was given a bundle of literature about the work of the Red Cross, particularly of its history in Holland.
By boat
On Friday Mr. Dam took me to the Rode Kruis boat at 8.30am, to be welcomed by Mr. Oudraat and introduced to some of the English-speaking members who included Dr. Lang, who was there all day in case of emergencies.
intended visit and saying that my sons and I would very much like to meet their members.
A few weeks later I received a charming reply saying that a meeting had been arranged for Nick and Andy with their cadets, and asking if I would like to spend the whole of the Friday working with them on a boat trip for elderly people. I had applied well in advance for permission for my sons and myself to take our uniforms to Holland, and this had been granted.
Surprise
When we arrived in Delft we had another surprise - we were to stay with Mr. and Mrs Dam and famil y. One day we were taken to the ambulance station in Delft and shown their four vehicles. We were particularly impressed by the fact that they have ECG machines and defibrillators on board. The rest of the equipment was much the same as ours.
The following evening Mr. Dam to ld me that we were going to meet the Rode Kruis cadets, or rather children doing a first aid course at school and organised by the Rode Kruis. As it happened it was exam night, a terrible event for any cadet. but they all did very well. Nick and Andy awarded a St.
While the elderly people were being helped on board, the Mayor arrived to wish them well and I was introduced to him. After a brief chat with him I was approached by a reporter armed with tape recorder and microphone, who asked who I was and what I was doing there. I explained briefly about our St. John work in Kingston and the London Area in general, and as we were twinned with Delft it seemed a good idea to form another link in ambulance and welfare work.
On the trip I was treated more like a guest than a fellow worker, being shown over the boat and introduced to everyone. The journey along the canals took us north from Delft, pa s t Leidschendan and Leiden, through beautiful countryside with the inevitable w indmill s, to nearl y as far as Amsterdam. More souvenirs were handed out, and I shall have to get another medallion for my uniform - as even that went as a pre se nt to a Rode Kruis member!
The welcome we received in Holland was reall y wonderful. And I hope that perhaps in 1976 some of our Kingston members will be ab le to find room in their homes for some of the Dutch Rode Kruis members when I arra nge a visi t for them.
I rene Lappage, 374 Kingston upon Thames Division
ORDER INVESTITURE
November 20
COMMANDER (Brother)
Lt -Col. Robert Neilson Houston, MBE TD BSc. (West Mids)
David Blacktop , aBE (Staffs)
David John Hallard (London)
William Noel Wliliteside MD, ChB (London)
A lwyn Roy Bra d ey, MB BS, MRCS, LRCP (Leics)
COMMANDER (Sister)
Rosemary, Mrs. Villiers (Hereford/Worcs)
Edna Mary Ellen, Miss Caws (Isle of Wight)
OFFICER (Brother)
Col. Hugh Kirton (Co. Durhatn)
Col. Derek Norring ton Cronin, aBE , TD (Hereford/Worcs)
Ronald Roberts (SW Yorks)
James E dward Nicholson (Cleveland)
William Oliver Reynolds aBE, FCIT, (British Rail)
Wg Cdr. Robert Winster Bracken, MBE (N. Yorks)
Ronald Frederick Tewke sb ury (Isle of Wight)
Surg Capt. Bruce Victor Jones OHS MB, BS FRCS
LRCP (Royal Nav y)
Jack Pengelly Westlake (Hereford/Worcs)
Gordon Thoma s Bax (Glos)
Ivan Macintyre LRCP, LRCS, LRFP&S , DIH (Gt. Manchester)
Lt -Col. Leonard Norman Albert Davies, MB, FREcon, AMBIM (Staffs)
Surg. Cdr. Lionel Claude Banks MB , BCh , BAa
MFCM (Royal Navy)
Huw Dyfan Walters BSc, MB, BCh MRCS, LRCS
LRCP JP (British Rail)
Frederick Matthew Wright (British Rail)
Alexander Leitch, MD, ChB, DPM MRCPsych (Avon)
OFFICER (Sister)
The Marchioness of Normanby, JP (N. Yorks)
Gladys Evel y n Mrs. Bryant , SRN (Han ts)
Doroth y Muriel Miss Evans (He reford /Wo rcs)
Mary Ethel , Mrs. Greenslade ( Notts)
Ruth , Mi ss Stone , ARRC , QARNNS (Royal Navy)
National First-Aid Competitions British Railways, London Trans. (Railways) & British Trans. Docks
Held Perth, November 5
John Henry Lewis, aBE, JP (W. Mids)
Stanley Brown (British Rail)
Thomas Gerald Lamford (Gt. Manchester Police)
Thomas Frederick Gribble (Cornwall)
George Samuel Sterry (W. Mids)
Frederick Bernard Bryan (Staffs)
Stanley Howden Durham)
Cyril Ralston Buckle y (London Country Bus)
Percy Maydew (W. Mids)
Fred Pogmore (British Rail)
Roy Llewellyn M erto n (Co rnwall)
George Longstaff (Durham)
Arthur Burrows (Merseyside)
Arthur John Charles Care (Metropolitan Police)
Stanley Henr y Thomas Gartley (Port of London Police)
Robert John Brown (W. Mids)
Leslie George Evans (British Rail)
Robert George Green (Kent Police)
Harry Griffiths (Merseyside)
Leslie Sarson (Ca mb s)
Stanley Keith Lawler (Gt. Manchester)
John Lewis Herbert, MB, BS (British Rail)
R ic hard Frederick Herring (Berks)
Kenneth William Jeffer ys (Hereford /Wo rc s)
Brian Victor King (Port of London Police)
David H all, MB ChB (Bucks)
James Alfred Whitham Deboo, CEng, MIMechE (Cambs)
Rodney William Parr (Kent)
Jame s Sheldon (W Mids)
Norman Alan Jubb (Essex)
Reverend Canon William Plimley (SW Yorks)
John Edward Roberts (Cheshire)
Robert James Lettis ( London)
William Wayland Maxwell (London Tpt. )
Owen Stanley Mellor (Gt. Manchester)
Barry John Pa lmer (Metrop olitan Police)
James Rush Fyanes (Cum bria )
George James (De rbys)
Owen Thomas Pink (Norfolk)
Alec John Char les Moore (London Tpt.)
Derek Henry Clark, BDS LDSRCS CAVMed, SRN ( Herts)
Jame s William Knowles (London Tpt.)
Richard Gurth Eager, BM, BCh MRCS, LRCP (Oxfo rd)
British Transport Police
Th e March oness of Aberdeen and Temair at Carberry with Mr and Mrs. Su ter (Wardens) and Sir Andrew Murray. (Photo : Malcolm W. Thomson Edinburgh)
News from
D;v;s;ons/Cent"es
DERBYS - Chaddesden and Spondon cadets won the first four places out of the six teams entered for the annual cadet competition for the President's cup organised by Stanton Divisions in early November. 1st Ambulance Cadet' A', 2nd Nursing Cadet 'A', 3rd Ambulance Cadet 'B', and 4th Nursing Cadet 'B'. Chaddesdon Ambulance Cadet 'A' team won the competition last year. (Photo next page).
LONDON - A first-aid conference was held by the London Transport Ambulance Centre at the Sarah Siddons School, North Wharf Road, Paddington, W.2 on October 29 1975 and attended by District and Branch secretaries, chairmen of Centre Branches and Brigade officers. About 160 persons were present.
The chair was taken by Dr. P. A. B. Rame, Chief Medical Officer, London Transport Executive and Vice President of the Centre who welcomed the members to the sixteenth annual conference that had been arranged by the Centre.
The following films were then shown : 1. Next Stop Scotland - British Transport Films; 2 It Shall be the Duty - An Introduction to the Health and Safety Act 1974. Central Film Library.
Dr. Raffie then introduced the first speaker, Mrs. M. Williams, occupational health consultant to the Occupational Health Journal , who gave an excellent talk on occupational first aid.
After lunch the delegates heard a most interesting talk by Professor P . 1. Lawther from the Air Pollution Unit, St. Bartholomews Hospital. He spoke on air pollution and health.
Finally Dr Raffle introduced Chief Inspector B. E. Fisher, Emergency Planning Officer, City of London Police, who gave an excellent talk on police disaster intervention.
OBITUARY
Jonathan J. ASC0tt, of Hounslow. Joined No. 83 Northern Heights Division in 1923, Superintendent in 1936. In 1963 seconded to No. 197 Heston and Isleworth Ambulance Divi s ion. Officer of the Order. Died September 11 1975 aged 77.
Lt. Col. C. P. Vaughan, DSO, DL, KStJ, Chairman of the St. John Council, Hereford/Worcester, died on November 15 at his Twyning home. Col. Vaughan was former Commander and Commissioner, Worcestershire. for 10 years from 1962
St. Blazey Ambulance Division , and Supt. N (R Florence Hawke, ex Par Nursing Divisions celebrated during Oc to ber
They are bo th Officers of the Order Their previous divisio n s presented them with a clock and flowers. (Photo: Grindley Studios)
WALES
Seven teams took part in the second annual competition for winners of the various first aid competition leagues in Wales on November 22.
The Prior, Lord Aberdare, presented the prizes to the winning teams: 1, Caerphilly; 2, Swansea N.D.L.B. (who also won both individual prizes); 3, Cardiff Post Office; 4, Barry National Dock Labour Board ; 5, Abercynon; 6 Swansea Post Office ; 7, Point of Ayr.
and
The great hall of Farnham Castle was the setting for Farnham Division's 40th anniversary dinfler/dance on Oct. 24 at which the guest of honour was Deputy C-in-C Watkin W. Williams (right).
Divisional President Maurice Elphick watches his wife cut the cake.
(Photo: MiGhael Gynne)
SJA golden wedding. Cornwall's Supt (R) Leonard Hawke, ex
(Photo: Cyril Diamond,
REVIEW CROSSWORD No.1 (76)
ICo mpiled by W A Potter)
Across:
1. Offensive weapon 12ins. long produces deformity of the lower lim b (4.4). 6. Gash with a knife. (5). 10. Not a definite one. (3). 11. Sphere left when it is removed from 16 Down. (3). 12. Bury an inert variation. (5). 13. Bone often fractured by a blow on the face (5). 14. Pouch containing the testes. (7). 15. Parts of secreting glands, lungs, and maxillae. (i). 17. Slippery fish. (3). 19. One's character or disposition. (6). 22. Turn 36 Across and add a little for rodent. (6). 23. Smell from a historic city. (5). 24. Passage from the pelvis of the kidney to the bladder. (6). 26. It is surrounded by gore in thyroid enlargerrnent. (6). 28. Sickness often prevalent aboard ship. (3). 30. Digestive juice active in presence of acid. (7). 31. Type of skin graft for the neck of a tumour. (7). 33. About 5 there is reduced price offer for ointment. (5). 35. Render liable to a penalty. (5). 36 Exclude barristers. (3). 37. Distress signal to be given if necessary. (3). 38. Skin secretion from a stew. (5). 39. Illnesses of mother and other females. (8).
Down: 2. Com:erning a division of the liver or lungs. (5). 3. Characteristic of second degree burn (7) 4. Neither early nor late. (2.4) 5 Plates protecting the eyes. (6). 6. Lubricating secretion. (7). 7. A half beast of burden. (3). 8. Congenital defect of the interventricular septum (4.2.3.5). 9. Toxic substances absorbed through the lungs (9.5). 16. Cavity in the face. (5). 18. Call up alright in the early part of the night. (5). 20. The adolescent years. (5). 21. Sense organ in pcmtine artery. (3). 22. Trade manufacturing cheap clothes for university event. (3). 25. 21 Down sent in error for a pledge. (7). 27. Gave instructions in a tidy manner. (7). 28. Split in the Churcm. (6). 29. Pneumonia affecting the extreme upper part of the lung. (6). 32. A number able to telegraph overseas. (5). 34 Rest in a horizontal position (3). Solution to Crossword No. 12 (75)
The SJA Multi -Media Appraisa Panel, which comprises doctors, nurses,flrSlaiders and visual aid expe rts, is one of the ojJicialfy appointed panels of the British Medical Association. Its reviews are also published in the BMA 'Information
DEFENSIVE DRIVING
16mm SY2 mins. Purchase: £6.00 plus VAT Films Officer , Post Office Telecommunications Hq., Room 405, Union House. St. Martin's-Ie-Grand, London EC lA lAR.
Content: This M.T. driving accident prevention film shows a fatal accident to a Post Office van driver and how that fatality could have been prevented
Appraisal: This well-produced film is a model safety film that shows M.T. drivers how , by planning ahead, accidents may be avoided.
Strongly Recommended.
Audience: Universal but in a SJ A context specifically to M.T. drivers.
THE FIVE 16mm Col. 7 mins. Hire: £1.25 plus VAT
British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WCIH 9JP.
Content: This film sets out to create a positive attitude in the minds of young girls towards the fact that feet are a vital part of their bodies and shows measures which girls can take to have 'happy feet'.
Appraisal: This is a delightful production , well made, amusing and of impeccable provenance ie the British Life Assurance Trust for Education. It should be screened to all appropriate audiences.
Unfortunately there is a little doubt in the panel's mind - young girls between 8-12 years are fashion conscious - will any film or instruction medium be strong enough to overcome that possibly undesirable but relevant factor?
Content: This film produced under the guidance of the RAMC and approved by the Ministry of Defence deals with resuscitation, wounds and bleeding, fractured femur and burns; it was designed for training in relation to mass disasters
Appraisal: This film is basically produced for instruc tio n within the Services and in conjunction with first aid training given to ab initio personnel could have value within that specialised field. However, the film shows differences between what is presumably standard RAMC procedures and the first aid procedures as taught by the voluntary societies and for that reason, regretfully , cannot be recommended.
The Panel felt that in the composite first aid situation displayed in the film the priorities of treatment were awry inasmuch as selection of casualties for treatment was not emphasized ; the timing of emergency resuscitation und e r the Holger Nielson method is not in accordance with standard procedure nor indeed is the method performed in acco rdance with the Joint Manual.
In the film the use of cold water treatment for burns is disregarded but the injection of morphia by Army personnel is shown; once again this may confuse the St. John trainee first -aider. In the film examination of casualties appears cursory, as does the taking of pul se readings.
What is excellent about the film is the im provi sat ion displayedthe standa rd of acting and make -up is also ve ry good.
Audience: Not recommended for St. John Ambulance audiences.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
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AUDIO- VISUAL PACKAGE DEAL
The Camera Tal ks Package Deal comes fully equipped with a mini projector, cassette replay unit, twelve filmstrips (of your own choice) with corresponding taped commentaries and explanatory notes; all packaged into a smart carrying case. Below is a list of relevant subjects. Please mark the programmes of interest to you, with 0 or without o the Package Deal. lifeSaving FirstAid 1-30 The Role of Oxygen in The Body 0 What Would You Do 1-2 0 Basic
The
MOORFIELDS EYE HOSPITAL City Road, London, EC1 V 2PD
Ca rn didates accepted at the age of 17 years as student nurses to undertake an TI 8 month course in ophthalmic mnsing.
On successful completion of the course awards of Moorfields Certificate and Medal are made Comfortable resident ial accommodation available. Applications to the Principal Nursing Officer.
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ST. JOHN
REVIEW
THE JOURNAL OF ST JOHN
Contents
At Random by Watkin W Williams p.25
Aeromedical Service p.26
Awards, July 1 to December 31 1975 p 29
The beginnings of SJA in Leicestershire and the Pim Trophy, by Clifford R. Stanley p.30
At a glance p.31
Around and About, by the editor p.32
The philosophy of Leadership, by J. R. Fry p.36
30 years with the Zulus p.36
Ambulances, part 6 , by Brian Rockel! p.40
Readers'Views p.42
News from Scotland - Wales p.44
Competition standards, by the Surgeon-in-Chief p.44
Overseas p.45
N ews from D iv isions/Centres p.46
Visual Aids p.48
EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS
Edited and produced for the Order of St John by Driscoll PrGlductions, Wood Cottage, High Corne r Butley Nr Woodbri<ilge, Suffolk IP1 2 3QF Phone: Oriord (Std 039 45) 548 Editor: Frank Driscoll.
Advertising. disp ay and classified, rates on request from Driscoll Productions.
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
SO FAR as I know, it was not deliberately planned that at the conclusion of Women's Year all four members of St. John Ambulance whose names appeared in Her Majesty's New Year Honours List in recognition of their services to the Foundation should have been women: but it seemed entirely appropriate, and on behalf of all readers of the Review I offer them our most sincere congratulations. An OBE has been awarded to Miss May Jackson, County Superintendent for Northumbria, whose first connection with St. John Ambulance was when, as a member of the nursing profession, she trained Brigade members of the National Hospital Service Reserve. This led to her accepting in 1958, while a nurse tutor at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the post of County Nursing Officer for Northumberland, and two years later that of County Superintendent. By the inspiring challenge of her leadership, efficiency and devotion she has not only endeared herself to all nursing personnel in the Brigade throughout the county but has greatly contributed to their present high standard of service, and more recently she has done much to weld together the diverse interests and characteristics of the town divisions of Tyne and Wear and the rural divisions of the old Northumberland into the successful new St. John county of Northumbria. Her experience as a nurse tutor has been the mainspring of the success of the Association's day-release courses for industry in the county. Perhaps her most important contribution to the development of St. John activities was the running of a 3-year pilot scheme under which St. John cadets in her county undertook, subject to necessary safeguards, ancillary duties in psychiatric hospitals and hospitals for the mentally sub-normal; the success of this pilot scheme led to Brigade Regulations being amended to enable all cadets to undertake such duties where conditions are suitable.
seven doctors , one dental surgeon 23 male arne female nurses , 25 male and 11 female lay members Recruitment continues for doctors and nurses from the ranks of St. John During 1975 14 professionally qualified members and nine lay members were admitted to the reg ister. A number of male lay members are full - time ambulancemen holding the Millar Certificate.
A doctor or nurse air attendant has been present on nearly every flight and on air ambulance flights one or two lay members in addition. In certain selected ambulant cases la y air attendants have been used on scheduled flights.
35 air attendants have undertaken flight s involving a total of 970 hours away from home A mumber of professionally qual ified air attendamts undertook several flights and 22 members flew on their first aeromedical flight accompanied by an SRN or doctor
In view of the fact that most air attendants are in full -time employment and need to arrange time off it is a credit to the service that at no time have we been unable to provide an air attendant when requested to do so even at short notice. The shortest notice given to the service during 1975 was four hours , involving an air attendant being away from home three days.
two air attendants were preparing to leave the UK by air ambulance when a message was received that the patient had died Christma s week we expected to be quiet but this was not so. On December 22 two a ir attendants departed from Heathrow within two hours of each other , one en route to Lyon s to return with a patient with a fractured pelvis the same day , the second attendant stopped overnight in Malta , retuming on the 23rd with a schizophrenic patient. While this air attendant was on the return flight , a third air attendant left Heathrow en route to Ankara and returned late on Christmas Eve with a severely burnt lorry driver who wa s then taken by ambulance to Sheffield.
Training and equipment
THE PAST twelve mONths have seen cONsiderable progress in the expansioN and development of the air attendant service, which with the Air Wing , ferms SJA's Aeromedical Service. In these days of increasing lack of interest in voluntary work, it has been encouraging to have such an enthusiastiC!: group of voluntary air attendants providing this service. 44 flights lilave uNdertaken involving 270 hours flying covering approximately 74,884 miles.
Flights
Air Ambulance: 23 flights were uNdertaken, an increase of five on 1974. The total number of flights by this section since its formation in September 1972 is 47 The longest air ambulance fligmt in 1975 was to Abu Dhabi, in December, undertaken in a McAlpine Aviation's HS 125. Patients have been flown to Northern Ireland, Eire and Scotland and repatriated from France, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Malta and the United Arab Emirates.
Thurston Aviation and McAlpine A viation have continued to charter suitable aircraft t@ us, £requently at very short notice, and with the increasing nNmber of requests originatiNg from the Automobile Association their own aircraft has been converted to an air ambulance and used for several
repatriations. In addition we used for the firs t time this year the services of Baylee Aviation operating out of Jersey. The types of aircraft now available to us for air ambulance work are Islanders, Navajos, Aztecs, Cessna Golden Eagles and HS 125 jets.
Scheduled flights: This section of our work showed a rapid development in the last quarter of 1975 and is expected to expand considerably in 1976. 21 fligh t s were undertaken , II of these in the last quarter. Patients were repatriated from France, Germany, Belgium , Italy, Greece , Canary Islands , Malta, Turkey , Thailand and USA. The longest air attendant flight in 1975 was from Bangkok in October.
1m addition to the air ambulance and scheduled flights completed air attendants stood by, sometimes for several days , to undertake flights which were subsequently cancelled. These included air ambulance flights to Cyprus and Malta and scheduled flights from Argentina, India, Pakistan and USA.
Patients 51 patients, with a wide v a riety of con<Ji itions, been escorted by air during 1975
General diagnosis of patients carried: Accident cases 20
-intestinal
Midwifery or gynae 2 Psychiatric 11
A number of the accident cases were due to road traffic accidents, and, having sustained quite severe injuries , required inflight attention to such items as tracheotomy and drainage tubes and intravenous infusions. The commonest cardiac case was the myocardial infarct , these patients being repatriated in the Cessna Golden Eagle as this aircraft h as the advantage of flying at 11 , 000 feet with a sea-level cabin pressurisation
The majority of the cerebral cases were infarctions, a number of these beilllg in com a The commonest psychiatric case was the schizophrenic. Several of the patients carried were term inal cases. No deaths occurred in the air.
Air Attendants
The number of members o n the active register is 67, of whom 51 are based in SE England; 4 [ of these have received additional aeromedical training in air ambulance techniques at St. Margaret's Hospital , Epping, Essex. At present there are
Not all flights have involved the escort of one patient On June 27 two air ambulances were airborne at the same time involving five air attendants and three patients and again on August 22 involving three air attendants and two patients. During the evening of August 11 a request was received to repatriate a mid wifery case from France to Yorkshire and within four hours a nursing team of three took off complete with a midwifery pack and suitable anaesthesia apparatus. On September 9 three patients were repatriated in one air ambulance and another three cases were repatriated by schleduled flight from Par is on December 12 accompanied by two air attendants.
During December , fog in the UK played havoc with a number of flights , one air attendant bein g delayed in USA for an additional day , another having to spend a night in Nice. The longest delay occurred when an air attendant arrived at Heathrow one Monday morning to catch a flight to Athens, waited all day and was then advi sed the flight would depart from Gatwick next morning. Having spent the night at Heathrow , she was eventually taken to Stansted and arrived in Athens Tuesday night returning with the patient the following day.
On tw o occasions a ir attendants arrived at depart l!l ne a irports and h a d to be recalled. One repatri afi ion of a patient by scheduled flight wa s cancelled at the last minute , the air attendant having reached the departure loun ge at H eathrow ; on the second occ as ion
flights An electrocardiograph and a second major resuscitation set will be added when sufficient funds become available.
Administration
The amalgamation of the air ambulance ser vice and scheduled flights service in 1973 and s ubsequent re-organisation has proved to be effective. A 24-hour service is maintained in a voluntary capacity , no paid staff being exclusively employed for the running of this service.
Registrar
The practical manual first in 1974 was revised during the year and additional operational information was issued at interval s. 29 air attendants attended our third training course in November at St. Margaret' s Hospital , Epping. These courses are in addition to the standard aeromedical course of the Associaiton. This service requires very high standards and admission to the active register is by detailed questionnaire and careful selection. Earlier in the y ear a seminar was held at Greenwich District Hospital for doctor and nurse air attendants and it is hoped to make this an annual event.
Gifts of cash from Rotary Clubs , Round Table s and Church organisations in the East Hertfordshire area enabled the service to purchase additional comprehensive medical equipment for use on the air ambulance
Throughout the year the Registrar has manned the service during normal office hours and , in addition , has covered for most of the out -of-office hours assisted by the Chief Staff Officer and Staff Officer (Aeromedical Services). The day -to -day operational administration and all financial , arrangements for the service have been the responsib ility of the Registrar
Staff Officer (Aeromedical Services) Weekly visits have been made to deal with the general administration , additional training and organisation of air attendants, maintenance of the air attendant register, production of newsletters and, in particular, the promotion of the service to outside bodie s and maintenance of the aeromedical equipment stored at Epping Hospital.
Promotion of the Service
(1) Personal Contact
The Registrar and Staff Officer attended meetings with the following organisations during the year.
Frequently used by the serv ce this Thurston Aviation Islander c an carry 3 stretch e r cases and 2 attendants
AEROMEDICAL SERVICE (contd.)
Automobile Association
The main demand for our air ambulance service has continued to be the Automobile AssoGiation and meetings were held at fJasingstoke, London, Bishops Stortford and Boulogne. A simplified communications system has been achlieved thlrough these meetings.
British Airways
Discussions were held at Heathrow with the Principal Medical Officer and his stafT
between our two services, LAS now being able to refer LOlildon hospitals to the aero Flil edical service wnen air escort work is required.
Foreign Office Consular Department
A very useful meeting with the heads of departments in October has resulted in a firm arrangement to undertake all the repatriation work for the consular department and an air attendant duty was a ctually arranged at his meetitag. Contact with the six sections covering the world is now almost weekly and 13 flights have been carried out since the meeting.
British Council of Shipping
At a meeting with the executives of this organisation in December it became apparent that there would be a considerable demand fO Ii our services for tIDe repatriation of injured seamen throughout the world. The Council have now sent brochures to their offices throughout the UK and a circular outlining our service to all British Shipping Companies.
Guernsey Ambulance and Rescue Service
(St. John)
The stafT officer spent a few days in Guernsey looking at this first class service and a further visit was made later in the year with the Registrar to discuss equipment and communications. During 1975 Guernsey St. John arranged the transportation of 254 patients by air to the UK mainland. 36 of these were escorted by St. John air attendants, the remainder being accompanied by doctors , SRNs or relatives
Malta St. John
The repatriation of a patient from Malta necessitated a night stop and this provided an opportunity to meet with the secretary of St. John in Malta and discuss a communications link for air repatriation work.
(2) Correspondence
cORcernililg the use of air attendants on British Airways and various problems concerning patients at Heathrow airport.
British United Provident Association
A meeting with the executives proved beneficial and an ofTer was made by BUPA to distribute details concerning our service to the appropriate executives in 100 ililternational companies based in London. Brochur es were sent to BUP A fer t mis purpose.
London A mbulance Service
A visit to the Assistant Chief Officer and his stafT resulted in the formation of a link
efforts of m a ny individuals and those who ha ve so kindly dom a ted towards the running expense s.
Thanks to
1. All our air attend a nt s who so readil y gi ve their t ime and ser vi ces free , often at considerable personal inconvenience to li ve up to the motto of the Order 'For the Service of Mankind.'
2. Dia me Fleming a housewife in who volunteered to unde r t ruke the secretari a l work for the stafT officer. In 1975 s he typed over 150 letter s and documents.
3 Thur ston Aviation McAlpine A viation and the Automobile Association who chartered their aircraft to us, often at very short notice to convert to air ambulances and who have also supported us financially.
Other activities carried out by the Aeromedical Service for the Automobile Association:
Although the air attendant ser vice is primarily concerned with the e scort of patient s b y air the Registrar has operated addition a l ser vices for the Automobile A ssociation.
Land ambulance collection of patients at sea ports In addition to the patients bein g repatriated by air ambulance for the AA several patient s have arrived b y c ro sschannel ferry at Dover, Folkestone , N ewhaven and Southampton. St. John ambulances have been arranged to meet t hese fe rrrie s a md in a nUl'\1Iber of c a ses patients were transferred several hundred miles · particularly during July , August and September. A St. John ambulance is now a v ailable for Continental runs and it ha s mad e its first journe y to Paris.
AWARDS J uly 1 to Decembe r 31,1975
Enquiries about our service are now being received almost weekly , the Automobile Club de France has expressed interest in operating with us along the same lines as the Automobile Association , the British Embassy in Bonn may require escorts from Berl in , and several enquiries have been received from private individuals and companies.
Following our letter in the British Medical Journal of November 1 information has been requested by the United Nations Food & Agricultural Organisation in Rome (for repatriations from undeveloped oountries) ; tine Chief Medical Officer of Iran Air; Hospital E d<Duard Herriot, Lyons, France; International Rescue I nstitute, Denmark ; and the Conference of Emergency Care , Brazil. The Air Attendant Service would not function without the untiring voluntary
Overseas drivers. A Register of St. John Drivers is being prepared for AA members not sufficiently ill or injured to warrant repa ti riatiolil to the UK but wbo are unable to drive their car back. One patient has been rep a triated from Poland and two from Spain by this method
Hospital and ambulance arrangements for air ambulance cases. The AA does not arrange admission to hospital for its members or ambulances to the flights ; furthermore, the diagnosis gi ven for some patients, particularly in France ha s frequently been found to be ina c curate. The organi s ing of St. John ambulances has not alwa y s been e asy and arranging admis sion to local ho s pitals in the patient's home town with the pre sent problems in the health service has often been p a rticularl y difficult. We have suc ceeded in every case during 19 75. h ut frequentl y this has ta ken up considerable time in expensive telephone c alls , the Registrar dealing with the UK arrangem e nt s a nd stafT officer dealing with the foreign ho s pit a ls.
(Above) Le Touquet airport - loading a patient into the AA's Cessna 421. (Below) After arrival at Stansted airport. (In beret)
The serviGes' HQ Staff Officer Derek Clark, Air Attendant Mrs. C Strett@n (London s Dpty. District Nursing Officer), and the AA's chief pilot, Capt. John Milner
CLIFFORD R. STANLEY looks back to
The beginning of SJA in Leicestershire and THE PIM TROPHY
The Pim Trophy, the top award in the Police national first aid competitions, the fina s of which are held every February The trophy was first won in 1928 by Lancashire Co n stabu ary they a lso took it in 1975.
(Below) Leicester during the time when the St. John Ambulance Association for the county was formed
ALMOST A HUNDRED YEARS ago the attention of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem was drawn to the numerous accidents occurring in Britain's colliery districts, especially in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and in consequence the St. John Ambulance Association was formed in 1877 with the object of 'affording instruction to enable pupils to be of real practical use in emergencies
In Leicestershire, a committee of officers under the presidency of the Duke of Rutland, was formed in January 1880, which included Mr. J. Farndale, the then Chief Constable of Leicester (afterwards a very successful Chief Constable of Birmingham) and the County Chief Constable of the period, Captain R. V. S. Grimston, and Major General E. S. Burnaby, MP, (himself a Knight of Justice of the Order) who was appointed Treasurer and Secretary.
Periods of practical instruction were arranged in the Mayor's Parlour, at the Town Hall, Leicester, as well as a series of medical lectures. A further class was also formed at Melton Mowbray for officers of the Melton Police Division. On November 6 1880, the County Chief Constable, Captain Grimston, attended the first public meeting of the Leicester Centre of the St. John AmIDulance Association convened in Leicester Museum. Seventy-five ofl32 pupils were successful in gaining certificates - and became the only people in Leicestershire outside the medical profession qualified to give first aid to the injured. Of this figure fourteen were policemen from Leicester Borough Polioe and the following officers of the Leicestershire Constabulary: Superililtenoent and Deputy Chief Constable John Moore.
Superintendent Edward Holmes, Leicestershire's Chief Constable from 1889 until his death in 1928.
Sergeant James Ormiston, later Superintendemt Lei0ester Division.
Sergeant Thomas Vernon, later Inspector.
Constable Charles Mantle, later
Superintendent Melton Mowbray.
Constable John Chapman, later Superintendent and Deputy Chief Constable.
Constable Edwin Dobney , later Supe rintendent Asfuby -de -Ia-Zouch.
Constable Thomas Archer.
Constable William Cooper.
Constable John Illife.
Constable Arthur Burton, later Superintendent, Melton Mowbray.
Of these officers, four assisted Major F. Duncan RA (a member of the parent body of the Associatiolil who J1lresented the certificates) in a lecture demonstration, which in the main consisted of applying splints and bandages, and the restoration of the apparently drowned.
Police hand ambulances made their appearance at about this time, although in fairness it should be said that they were primarily intended for transporting people fOl!Ind insensible through driNk. It was however realised that first aid training was particularly valuable to county policemen who were encouraged to attain awards of the St. John Ambulance Association, so much so that it eventually became an essential part of police training.
By 1887 Leicester had a horse ambulance carriage (housed at the rear of the Town Hall) and five hand ambulances in different parts of the town for public usage. During this formative period a Town Ambulance Class of 150 also gave valuable service, making use when necessary of an ambulance wagon and a hand ambulance.
Meanwhile the work of the Leicester branch of the St. John Ambulance Association had gained high prraise fliom its headquarters in LOlildon for its initiative in arranging preparatory and advanced
At a glance
BYGONES
lectwres and instruction - ladies were able to attend cl asses on advanced nursing - for both men and women.
Pim trophy competition
From beginnings such as these, it is interesting to record that in October 1926
Superintendent James H. Cleal of the Lancashire Constabulary, an enthusiastic first-aider throughout his service, felt there ought to be a first aid competition at national level for the Police. He managed to interest
Doctor F E. de Pim, an Assistant Commissioner in the St. John Ambulance Brigade, in the project , who not only liked the idea but recommended it to the St. John Ambulance Brigade in London with the proviso that if the scheme could be successfully operated he would be prepared to provide, at his own expense, a suitable trophy.
After consultation with the Home Office, the St. John Ambulance Association accepted Dr Pim's recommendations and generous offer. The country was divided into nine competitive police areas, draft rules were formulated and a magnificent silver cup, The Pim Trophy, standing 28Y2 inches high and containing 220 ounces of silver, was donated by the doctor and competed for by nine police teams from different parts of the kingdom during the months of January and February of 1928. Following a series of eliminating contests the trophy was appropriately won by the Lancashire Constabulary. Superintendent Cleal's idea proved so successful that under the aegis of the Home Office annual competitions for the Pim Trophy have continued to the present day. The results of this year's trophy competition held on February 18 , will be in the March Review.
HERTFORDSHIRE SJA Association Branch has deviseG! a unique aide-memoire which shows at a glance th e step-by -step treatment for the 22 fracture conditions described in the current first aid book. It also gives the treatments for sprains and dislocations.
Like its forerunner the Sign &
to
printed on it as four charts two of which are always visible. To obtain the other two, the slider is removed and inverted. The overall size of the unit - 5lj.in x 73j.in appro x -
inside the
book. On the sleeve are printed the contents of each chart, plu s the definitions and general signs and sy mpt o m s of fractures , sprains and di s lo c ations.
Supt Charles Mantle , of Melton Mowbray at the turn of the century - with his wife. daughter and police driver Robert Se l - one of the f irst qua lified members of the St. John Ambulance Association in Leicestershire
NEWYEAR HONOURS
O.B.E.
Lt. Col. Denis Marshall Dorr, TO, President, Wellingborough Headquarters Ambulance Division, for services to the community in Wellingborough.
Dr. John Thomas Corbett, Divisional Surgeon, former British Railways Ambulance Division, Wellingborough, and Centre examiner, for services to medicine in the town.
See At Random/or further awards.
SJ ON TV
Nation-wide TV coverage of SJ A's 2-hour Emergency Aid training sessions will be on the various lTV programmes from February 20 to mid-March.
So stand by for local reaction to the advertisements. Have all the facts ready.
BEXHILL CAMP
Everyone will be glad to hear that Bexhill will continue as a national SJ A camp under the auspices of the Brigade HQ with Miss Willis as camp commandant.
The camp will be open this year on Saturday, July 24 and close on Saturday, August 28.
Details ean be obtained from Miss Willis, 179 Hazelbank Road, Catford, London, SE6 1LU.
NOTTINGHAM
And many, I'm sure, will be glad to hear that future 'Nottinghams' will be open to members up to the age of 55 years, as before Nottingnam 1975.
LOURDES
The Sovereign Order of Malta's British Association needs a doctor, 4 SRNs and 6 nursing or ambulance members to help their sick pilgrims going to Lourdes from May 7 to 14. Cost of hotel and flight is about £110.
ARD , UID and ABDUl
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN
Contact Alan McKay, Brigade Staff Officer , 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW I X 7EF.
CLIFF RESCUES
On Sunday December 7 1975, at about 4.45pm, the Coastguards inE0rmed the St. rves Ambulance Division that a woman had been seen lying on the rocks at Hell's Mouth, and they asked if the First Aid Rescue Team could meet them at the scene. Three members of the team, Divisional Officer E. Curnow, Transport Officer P. Lander and Ambulance Member J. Uren collected their climbing equipment and went quickly to Hell's Mouth to rendezvous with the Coastguard Rescue Team under Station Officer H. Robins, and the Police under Inspector Collins.
Divisional Officer Curnow and Coastguard K. Gastin descended the 250ft. cliff and found the body of an elderly lady with multiple injuries. Meanwhile the Police and Coastguards had rigged fl00dlights, and the body was brought to the clifftop. The operation which took about 1Y2 hours, was under the control of Station Officer Robins.
In the same area on November 8 1975, a young man fell while climbing cliffs at Bosigran, Morvah, and St. rves ambulance, crewed by Divisional Officer Eric Curnow
BY THE EDITOR
APPOINTMENTS
Bermuda: Commissioner , Chief Superintendent Louis Pantry , RCMP (Ret) P.O Box 97, Hamilton 5 , Bermuda.
Humberside: Lord Westbury C.SU.A. has assumed direct control of the Brigade in Humberside pending the appointment of a new Commissioner.
and Transport Officer Philip Lander, was called to attend the incident.
Within 16 minutes of leaving St. Ives with their climbing equipment, the ambulance had travelled the 9 miles of narrow, winding road to Bosigran, and the crew had hurried about 3/4 mile to the cliff-top. The casualty was lying near the bottom of the cliff, having fallen about 25 to 30 feet. The two ambulancemen went down to the casualty , treated him for his injuries, and with the help of his friends loaded him into a Neil Robertson stretcher with the intention of taking him up the cliff.
However the Coastguard Rescue Team from St. Just had now arrived under the control of Station Officer Rounce, and it was decided to send for a rescue helicopter from Culdrose. The Coastguards and ambulancemen stayed with the casualty until he was winched aboard the helicopter and taken to hospital at Truro.
AWINNER
I hear that SJ A Cleveland's first annual review and church parade, held in Albert Park , Middlesbrough last September , was a great success.
Wi i h unexpectedly fine weather for the day (after much raiJil) 340 Brigade members of all ranks, with the Police Band of Cleveland (Chief Constable Ralph Davison is County Director Association, and
Here are the lads - 22 of 'e m - of the new Clockhouse Cadet Division , Beckenham Kent, at their enrolment ceremony attended by The Southwark Corps of Drums The Division took Allan Medcrah SEN (L at back) and Brian Craggs (RI, of the London Ambulance Service, nine months to form with g rea h e lp f rom ASO (Cadets) Ray Giles ce ntre ). (Photo: EB Consultants )
member of the SJ Council), paraded under the command of County Deputy Commissioner Major David Bowron.
The inspection and salute were taken by Major Cecil Crosthwaite, HML for Cleveland, assisted by County President Lady Serena James and Commander SJA Mr. J. Hughes.
Guests of Cleveland's Commissioner, Major James Catterall, included the Commanders SJA North Yorkshire and Northumberland, the Commissioner for N. Yorkshire, the Mayor and Mayoress of Middlesbrough, members of the St. John Council and senior retired Brigade members
At the service, during which the retiring Bishop of Whitby consecrated the Brigade's new colour , ambulance and nursing cadets made up the choirs which were accompanied by the newly-formed SJA county band.
Obviously Cleveland is setting the pace for SJA annual parades
RETIRED
County President for Leicestershire, Viscountess Kemsley (2nd from L, photo right) and Leicester Area President Mrs, C, Riddington (L) made presentations on behalf of fellow presidents to Miss Edna Sansome (R) and Miss Dorothy Pool on their retirement. Between them they have given 83 years' service to the Brigade in Leicester. Miss Sansome, who joined in 1925, became
MIND BENDERS
COSY
Vice- President of the Leicester Nursing Cadet Division in 1950 after many years as County Cadet Officer. Miss Poole, who joined in 1942 became President of the Leicester Nursing Cadet division in 1950 after being a cadet superintendent.
At 5JA Cleveland s rst annua l parade - Major Cecil Crosthwaite, followed by County Supt. Miss I Adams and County President Lady Serena James. See story A WINNER
SMILES
I. Hear cat on way into the chest (7).
Y oung goa with a bac kward longing (6).
L ad about 4 (4).
Souncd s as though this fish is all bones (6 .5).
Answ e s Upside down - are at bottom of page 34. No cheating.
(Below) All smiles at SJA Le cestershire. See story RETIRED (Photo: Peter Ja ckson
During the evening at the home of the Area President, tribute to their loyal and hard work for St. John was paid to the two retiring presidents, who have been friends for many years , by the Chairman of the St. John Council for Leicestershire, Viscount
Caterham
Caterham
Kemsley, and by Commander for Leicestershire , Mr . L. Lee.
A gift and flowers were also presented by cadets of the Leicester Nursing Cadet division
BATTLE OF
On New Year's Eve the Brigade carried out another large LondoN Distric t duty at Trafalgar Square, with Commissioner Derek Fenton in charge. There were an estimated 55,000 people in the square during the evening.
On the duty, which started at 9pm and finished at 5am next morning , were 15 Brigade ambulances and 3 m0bile units, staffed by Brigade surgeons and \ilmsing officers. Many casualties were treated in the units, so saving hospitals much work.
Brigade ambulances were under the control of the London Ambulance Service , who had their control unit Red Major as the base radio station. As well as dealing with casualties in the square , our ambulances were sent to 999-calls iF} various parts of Lcmdon.
Ambulances were on the duty from: Hackney, Kingston, Northern Heights St. Pancras , We y bridge , Farnham , London Transport , Richmond, Moseley and Walworth; mobile units from : Weybridge, London Transport and Northern Heights.
SAILOH!
ASO J. T. Hartley , of Swimdon, writes:
Earlier last year the Review published details of the Sail Training Association and as a result I joined the Sail Training Ship Malcolm Miller' for a one week cruise. Although I have been in the Royal Navy I have had no previous sailing experience. Essentially , living and working on board is about adventure training a \il d character development.
One gradually learns the ropes , but quickl y appreciates the necessity of obeying orders immediately The ship is worked 24 hours a day and watchkeeping lookout, helmsman , etc, are an integral part of the working day , as are essential cleaning and preparation and distribution of meals , which I found to be good
Everyone works in a team, is kept busy, and quickly fa ll s into the ship s rou ti ne to a discipline which is not only required bu easily accepted.
Living in close proximity with others , the comradeship which develops and the need for all to pull together will leave an ever lasti ng impression on my mind.
I can understand that the life would not appeal to everyone and I would not try to persuade them otherwise; but for those who have the spirit of adventure, and are prepared to work , lose some sleep , and forget tele vision , radio, new spapers and the outsid e world for a while - then go!
Yes , I was sea sick when the wind was Force 8 . L ater it was Force 10 gusting to 12 (65 mph) , but I felt better by then.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and would readily go again , preferably with the same ship s compan y, who were a wonderful bunch.
M.rs. A. A. Ettridge has been awarded an MBE in recognition of her devoted servioe to St J o h m im Norfolk ever since she was in her teens bl alf a century ago. She has long been an inspiring and much loved County Staff Officer for Nur s ing Cadets, as well as a tireless County Secretary of both the Association and the Br igade and much in demand as a lay demonstrator at Association courses. By devoting her time and skill to the welfare of others, despite I1!1lll ch slll f€ering from a rthritis im Iieoe\il t years she mas been a shining example and inspiration to all St. John members whose good fortune t has been to know her Two awards of the BEM have been made to Miss M. E. Chapman ( Di visional Superintendent on Northamptonshire County Pool) and Mrs. E. Savage (Assistant Commissioner , S0uth Glam organ, Priory for W a les). Miss C h apman joined a nursi\ilg division at Kettering in 1926 became an officer in 1931 and was promoted to Superintendent in 1943 After 26 years of outstanding service as a Divisional Superintendent she transferred to the County Pool so as to give a younger member a chance of promotion but this has meant no a bate m ent o f her St. John activities, for during the last few years her total of voluntary Brigade duties has averaged more than 1 000 hours annually; these have included public duties, escort duties, nursing aid to sick and disabled persons in their own homes , and help at a local Home for Blind Children.
AT RANDOM
(contd. from page 25)
provided the nspiration and the dri ving force that have produ c ed a remarkable development in Association training in Mersey side. He has now t o give u p his St. J o h n work there on leaving Li v erpool to undertake his new appointment as HM Chief In s pector of Constabulary , and it is a great encoura gement to us to know that the holder of that high office has the welfare of St. John Ambulan ce so much at heart.
ambulances were running a shuttle - service to take ca s ualties to hospitals or to their homes
The good -natured manner in which the Metropolitan Police kept the crowd under rea s onable restraint was beyond all praise , and so was t he friendly co -operation between St. John , the Pol i ce and the London A mbulance Service. I onl y wish that those who maintain that there's no place for v o lunteer s to work side by side with the s tatutory services could have witnessed the total integration of St. John and the LAS t hat we saw taking place that night.
And it' s no good sa y ing , Oh, but London s different' London has the honour of taking the lead in this respect but the f riendl y integration of vo l unteers and profe s sional s in the ser vice of humanity can take place anywhere , provided that the will to achieve it is there.
T ell the editor
churc h , recepltio n, then 0a c k to h os pital. No wa iting at the a tar for Dawn (Photo: D av id L pso n)
SGT. TO SUPT.
PARADE D is mi ss, fall in line, For th e R ank s, ts now eatim e, A c up of ea, wa s all w e got Not so fo r t he o ther Lot ', T abl e set , knife and ork
C hi ck en an d h am n o p ork ?, Gr een V eg, sa ad too Y o u re all ri g ht Jack Bull y , for yo u. There sat all a.lon e on the T o wn Hall s ep s F ar fFO JiTl hOJiTle, HYP OTHERMIA IN D EE P SHOCK TREATMENT ate a c hoc', It was t ast y, and very swee t
C IR C ULA nON ret urn o ee Than k yo u MA AM , m ay I say 'T A' I was ab le o st agge r , t o the car
Wh s I w as wa iti ng, I m e a gent T o m e 'NOT YOU ', he w as meav en sent,
We h acl a eh at tm em h ad to part, H e mad t o find, hi s old HAND -CART.
H e oo k ed ra th er pale in act he was green
H e d os PARAD E STATE B F.lS
Gu ess hi s n ame. hurr y, time dwindles YES yo u e ri g ht
Mrs Savage became a nursing member in a Cardiff Di vision J5 years ago, and since than has held many St. John appointments in South Wales , culminating in that of Assistant Commissioner for South Glamorgan. She is county organiser of the St. John and Red Cross Hospital Library Service and is a very active supporter of the Danybryn Cheshire Home and the League o f Friends of St. David's Hospital Cardiff is a very well know lil and popular St. John personality in Cardiff because she organises and participates in all the Brigade public duties in the city
More awards
We must also congratllliate two other dis t inguished members of the St. John family whose names appeared in the Honours List for their services in wider fields. Mr. James Haughton has been created a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his services as Chief Const a ble for Merseyside. For man y y ears a keen supporter ofSt. John , Sir James (as he now becomes) mas only held offioe in the FOl!l ndati om for a short time -2 years as Associatio fol County Director and 18 months as Commander StJ A for Merseyside; but during that time he has
Lady Heald has been awarded the CBE in recognItIOn of her 'public ser v ices , particularly nursing Lad y Heald joined the Brigade as an Ambulance Officer in the Westminster Nursing D ivision in 1940 in the following year she transferred to St. John in Surre y as a County Staff Officer , and later became an outstanding Count y Superintendent for 27 years until her retirement in 1973. She is a Dame of the Order of St. John and a member of the St. John Council for Surrey . A mere catalogue of her voluntary services in the cau se of nursing would take up the rest of my space for this month but it would include her long connection with the Ro y al College of Nurs ing (of which she is now chairman of the Appeal Committee) , the Queen s Nursing Institute (which s he represents on the National Council of So cial Service) and the Marie Curie Foundation. (Edit : Se e p.32 for further a wards).
Side-by-side
The New Year s Eve crowd of 50 000 in Trafalgar Square was the biggest ev er , and the Superintendent -in -Chief and I had an extremely interesting experience duri ng 3 hours out of the 8 spent on duty there by 80 St. John members from London District supported by about another 20 from at least a couple of counties outside London. Those on duty included 5 surgeons and 2 nursing officers , with 12 Brigade ambulances and 3 mobile units one of which was r eserved for suturing
Although for most of the time the revellers were remarkably well behaved, b y 11.30pm our mob ile units were doing a pretty brisk trade - mostl y in treating h y pothermia (from immersion!) and cut feet - and our
This is the 50th consecutive instalment of what s ometimes call m y 'Random Ravings ' -a sobering thought, leading me to wonder how lon g I dare continue without risk of reducing whatever quali ies of interest and usefulness the column may possess. It all starte d in the autumn of 1971 when at a meeting of the Review Management Board (of w hich I was a member but not at that time chairman ) I rashly stuck my neck out b y saying that I thought tha t what our magazine chiefl y lacked was a direct per s onal contact between Headquarters and St. John members who may feel out on a limb in distant parts of the country and even oversea s Ha v ing by request, developed my theme I was then told (perhaps not quite in the se w ord s !) Right , you do it chum ! And tha t' s how I - and y ou - got landed with At Random
But honestl y, I'd rather stop six months too soon .than one month too late and I'm not fishing fo r bouquets in sa y ing that I'd w elcome your gu idance. It would be less embarrassing if you don t tell me direct but t ell the editor ( and please forgive him if he s aves our HQ postage expenses b y not a ckno w ledging ), and I'll request him to gi v e me the gen e ral drift of the replies but on no account to reveal the identity of the writers so you can be as blunt as y ou like!
Secure
As we entered the Priory Church at Clerkenwell for the lovely Carol Service before Christmas , an extremel y courteous ambulance member doing a security check said Excuse me , Sir , but may I see inside y our briefcase? I wasn't in uniform and I couldn t help wondering what was his secret reaction to discovering that its ominous bulge was caused by my personal first aid pack.
The philosophy of LEADERSHIP
by J. R. FRY
IN AN AGE when the phrase 'all men are equal' is increasingly used, it is obviously necessary to have a philosophy for leadership; for it might seem incompatible to suggest on the one hand that all men are equal and on the other hand that leadership is stilll vital in the modern world.
If we are to develop a philosophy towards leadership, it is obviously necessary as an introduction to balance these two apparently incompatible points.
This talk, by the chairman of the Peter Fry Rescue Trust, was given at the Brigade Leadership course at Nottingham 1975.
Equality
Equality, as I understand it, means that everyone in the world should have equal
30 years with the Zulus
Having made a dream reality, the time comes when one must leave.
This article is reprinted from the magazine of St. Jehn in South Africa, The Call, June 1975.
A S THIS issue oj The Call goes to print, we learn that Dr. Anthony Barker has been awarded the eBE Dr. Barker, with his wife Margaret has spent the last thirty years oj his life in service oj mankind at the Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital in Zulu/and. Because their concept of service exemplifies the highest ideals of the Order oj St John , it seems fitting that we should here pa), tribute to a man and his wife M'ho hal'e spent almost half a lifetime in selfless dedication to the work they Jelt called upon to do.
Dr Barker , a fluent Zulu speaker, has written a book about his experiences Irhich is due to be published this year It is '0 salute to the Zulus as a fil ling people and not a memorial to a race oj dead warriors as many people like to think to them.' (Another oj Dr. Barker's books is probably we!! -
access to the law and an equal right to justice under the law. Every man should have the right to make his contribution in determining the form of the government by which his affairs and the affairs of everybody else in the community a li e to be comtrolled, and if there is equality in this point , it should mean - one vote to each man and to each woman. There should be equality of opportunity; everyone should have the same opportunity of climbing to the top or to the bottom, wher.ever nheir incJ.inations take them, providing on the one hand the y are prepared to take the responsibilities that go with the top and the lack of responsibility that goes with being at the bottom Every human being should be equal regardles s of his race, his religion sex or class and each should be equal in their freedom from fear and want, and each should be equal in their ability to obtain education and medicine for themselves and their dependents.
This is what is meant by all men are equal.'
It cannot ever be s uggested by any fairminded person that everyone is equal in brainpower , in talent and in ability to lead
Sometimes of course there is confusion between eq1.Jality and the rights of men and if in this matter of equality we need guidance on what the rights of men are towards leadership, perhaps I can quote Carlisle : 'Surely of all the rights of men, the right of the majority of men to be guided by the wisest of men, to be gently or even forcibly held in the true course by a good leader is the most indisputable of all the rights of men.'
Leadership
Leadership is a talent, either inherited or acquired. Not everyone possesses it. Some people have a talent for playing the piano or the violin. Only a few possess these talents which proves the point that not all are equal in talent. A talent for leadership is the same as a talent for playing a fine instrument. Not everyone has it.
I suppose it is a good thing to try and define leadership as an opening point and I would define it as the capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and to possess the character that will inspire
confidence in all the people; to possess the courage to go first so that all the others may confidently follow; and, above all, to have sincerity of purpose so that truth become s the axis of the path that the leader takes.
There is an old Latin proverb which says :
'An army of stags led by a lion would be a more formidable foe than an army of lions led by a stag.'
Leadership in modern times
It is not uncommon to say that human beings have not changed since the time of Moses , and whilst this is true people are still motivated by the same things - pleasure and sadness ; victory and tragedy; success and personal ambition and not least by greed and avarice.
But the social habits of the people have changed and the spirit of all for one has grown with education , so that whilst leaders are the same and people are basically the s ame , the change in social habits requires a change in approach to leadership
A form of leadership could be imposed by bullying until just over a hundred years ago
whispering together this past month , sending to the shops , obtaining samples on approval, ca s ually sugge s ting that if you keep the evening of the 23rd free, there might be something which th.e staff would like you to come to, if you've got time'!
rker knoll 'n to mam ' readers, 'The Man Next to M e ').
The problems and successes encountered and achiel' ed among a people who accept pOI 'ert)', pain and death with a primiti ve fortitude, are/ar too complex to outline here. Th e point r wish to make is one which Dr. Barker is known to feel strong( ' about ; that their most meaningj/JI l achie fJ ement has been in the sphere of human relations , not in the f ield 0/ m e dicine per se This idea is one lhat ha s b een expressed before in The Cal!, in relation to the e aching offirst aid that the call tact and th e 'rub -off which results from actil 'ities betll'een peoples of differ e nt clIltures , a ssumin g, of course, that a good rapport h as been established, could be the m os important aspect oj first aid or home nursing.
To retum to th e Barkers. The Order of St. John and members 0/ St. John A mbulance in S Ollth Africa should humbll ' and proudh ' acknowledge the work oj two doctors whose names g o dOIl n in the medical hislOf:1' of this
country; doctor s who , without thought oj honour or r eco g nition - indeed there could hape been little time Jar such consideration - gave ul1stintingl.v of themselves of their warmth, compassion and unde rstanding no less than their medical skills Jor the relieJ oj human suffering.
Time to gO.
by Maggie and Anthony Barker
'You will love me when I'm dead, say the Zulus; to which the French add that every parting is a little death. When we must leave them the ward , the office and the operating room take on a freshne s s we had not formerly noticed. Nioe old plac e , thi s : we think to our selve s; and 'decent of the caretaker to clean the windows at la s t.' The patients who are doing well flatter b y their progress; those whom we weren't going to be able to help , smile absolution upon us. The stafT have been
Then you find yourself sitting behind a table , listening to words which seem fitting to describe some mythical and saintly creature, half-god and half-goat, whose imminent departure is worrying people. And you find that they are talking about you , only you are not even quite sure of that. Unmanned , you reply. Haltingly in English, or groping, throat constricted, to express yourself in Zulu, you try to say thank you.' You want to say how much you've loved it all; how much you have loved the team ; how much the brotherhood has meant. Only the words won't come, so you stand in agonised moments of tearful silence mumbling your grief at going your blessings on those who stay, your confidence in those who must assume leadership as you relinquish it.
As though you ever could express what it has meant! Impossible to recall how you felt when you started though you remember the day and the circumstances so clearly. There were feelings then - fear , certainly that we might not be up to the job ; astonishment at finding oursel ves there , where we had planned to be the challenge of a dream that came true at that moment of our arrival.
For we Iiil ad wanted this to happen. We had worked and schemed and suffered , sep ar ation in the closing years of the EhlIiopean war , in pursuit of this shadow;
Captain Blythe was a leader of men as he proved when he was cast adrift in an open boat and successfully navigated that boat across the open seas in what is still the world record for a long voyage in a small open boat. His leadership enabled him and the men in the boat with him to survive that astonishing hazard, but it was the fact that he was a bully , an old-fashioned leader, that got him put into the boat in the first place. It was not uncommon in a navy of 150 years ago to flog men to death; it was in fact thought necessary. Thank goodness we no longer think it necessary or desirable. The strange thing is that if we thought it necessary or desirable today we could not do it because if a naval officer ordered a man 1,000 lashes , the naval officer would find not captain or admiral to support the order; no one would be able to find the whip; he would find no quartermaster or master - at-arms prepared to use the whip, nor would he find two sailors who were prepared to tie one of their colleagues to the grating. In other words we now recognise that it was wrong to try and make people do things, and by realising that it was wrong we have created a
that we might be effective in the practice of medicine among those who had inadequate medical facilities , and in the service of a people of whom we knew nothing more than that they had walloped the English in fair fight as recently as 1879. We had grown up with a knowledge of only one of the peoples in Africa, the Zulus. And here we were , doctor s to 30 ,000 of them and district surgeon to battlefields sacred to Zulu, Boer and Briton. It was like stepping back into history like finding yourself ship's surgeon on the Golden Hind, or, wearing kneebreeches, in the service of the Dutch East India Company.
The facilities at the hospital were , in those days, almost romantically sparse. We were wholly innocent of sheets, the water supply was shaky, and installation of electricity was still two years away. Night conditions were Crimean, and evening rounds were made by the popping light of a hurrican lantern
What has happened since - the development of facilities, laying of drains, ill umination , ventilation, inoculation , extension of work into the community , the building of standards and the training of nurses - could not be expressed in those emotional moments of farewell, since none but ourselves was aware of it and we were silelilced by yet stronger emotions.
I nstinct , as inexplicable as (though far less predictable than) that which urges the swallows to fly to Europe when our southern winter comes impels you to go. Something biological and earthy stirs in you , telling you that the time is ripe for leaving; that the view
from where you stand , all around, slopes downward , because you are standing at the top of the hill. This is the time to count your assets. Staff? Good, sound, well trained, understanding. Conditions? Much better than they were , and about to improve. Standards? You are no longer the cleverest man on the compound.
So you say you are leaving. Then yeu stick to that decision. 'Where to?' they ask You put the onus back on society - 'Wherever we are needed.'
But you are not to reconsider, not for anything or anyone. Neither are you to linger , nor to try to creep back again into that cosy nest of pre-eminence you've consistently been making for yourself. Unless you cut the cord, neither the hospital nor you can have any separate existence. Unless y ou cut the cord , you become both creator and destroyer of your child. Unless you cut the cord, your last act is comparable to that of Samson, who in his strength pulled down the roof in his leaving And after the pain , there comes a gently vibrating morning on the mailship, the sea bright with whales and flying-fish , when you know the wounds will heal, and things begin re-forming shaping themselves again. Within , comforting as a good dinner, is the knowledge that you have done what you set out to do thirty years before that you have met and loved an incomparable people, who have taught you how to live with yourselfand other lessons equally valuable, equally lasting.
Margaret and Anthony B a
situation where it is no longer possible to make people do things that they do not wish to do.
The art of leadership today is to persuade people to want to do the things that have to be done in their interests and in the interests of the community at large. It is this special fact that makes leadership in modern times different and more exciting than it was in ancient times. It is this special fact that brings strange words into the scheme of things when we talk about leadership, words such as moderation, judgement and rewards. If we are to persuade people to want to do something that is in their interests and the interests of the community at large, then we have to be moderate in our views; for if we are fanatics can we hope to make everyone a fanatic; and we have to have sure judgement, for if we judge something to be important to the people and to the community at large, and we are wrong, then we have been trying to persuade them to do something that they will subsequently judge to be wrong. Such an error of judgement is not important in the minor things, it simply shows the leader to be a human being like everybody else; but it has to be right in the major things, and that is why we bring the word philosophy into the title of today's subject, because our philosophies have to be right.
Philosophy
It is important to distinguish between and policy; the principles which guide us are the philosophies which form the framework im which we operate. They are the golden rules of our and if they are right they can stand for 100 years without change.
The policies are the decisions that we make which determine the actions that we take tt') meet the changing scene. The policy can change as often as the scene; if it doesn't will a disaster. It is foolish to be consistemt for the sake of being consistent; and it doesn't matter if the policy changes every day, like the English weather, provided that something has changed which determines a change in policy, and providing that every change of policy is within the framework of our over-ruling and always guiding philosophy of principles. What are the good principles for the leader to adhere to?
Judgement
Judgement is a key to leadership. All men do not dream the same dreams. The artist knows one joy, the soldier another. The general has his dreams of success which may leave the politician cold. The only thing that ea<::h has im common is a desire for success, for failure is bitter to everyone.
The first judgement that a man has to exercise is - what is his role in life or his
niche in the social order? For a man without talent to dream of being Prime Minister must in the emd drive him towards the bitter taste of failure. The sweet taste of success will only come to his mouth if his judgement in selecting his niche in life was sure and accurate in the beginning; and if a man's judgement leads him to believe that he should be a leader, then his judgement has to be correct if he is to become a successful leader. His judgement needs to be correct every day to maimtain his stance as a successful leader, for there is no success in leadership without accuracy and judgement.
Moderation
I expect we have all read the tales of the Knights of the Round Table. Those stirring tales of boyhood; those stirring tales of old when knights were bold and pure in heart as driven snow, l!lsing their steel to save damsels in distress, never using their steel to put damsels into distress. Like all fairy tales, it is based on truth and sincerity. Leadership springs from example, and example springs from moderation. The successful leader never overplays and never underplays any field of human activity. He is not good tempered - he is not bad tempered. He is not a teetotaller - he is not a drunkard. He is not a monk - he is not a Casanova. He is neither consistent nor inconsistent. He uses all his judgement and all his moral courage, for without courage no man is worth anything, to pursue a course that is in the interests of those that he leads and to the community at large, sticking to his principles and changing his policy within the framework of his principles as often as is necessary to maintain his course. At times of great success, or at times of great turmoil, he will keep his judgement intact, his nerve sound and his mind secure by the process of self-discipline, which is perhaps more modestly defined as moderation.
Human beings
No system of industry can be defended, nor will it endure for any length of time, unless it serves the interests of the people in the industry and the interests of the community as a whole. The leader will therefore take care of his human beings. We read and hear much today of Communists and militants ilil. industry, amd in this respect I hope [ won't bore you if I quote something that a very senior trade union leader has said:
'We are tired,' he said, 'of war in the industrial field. The British workman cannot quietly submit to an autocratic govemment of the conditions of his own life. He canmot take Prussianism lying down, whether this PrussiaIilism is applied to him in the docks, in the factories or the mines.
'Would it not be possible therefore for the employers of this country to put their businesses on a new footing by admitting the workmen to some participation in the control of the conditions which control their lives. We spend our working lives in an atmosphere and under conditions of environment and remuneration which are imposed upon us by the management. Could we not share in the management - not in the policy of tme business or the products the business makes, or the customers to whom the products are sold, or the profits which spring from the sale of those products - but just to have the right to have a voice, an equal voice, in the management of the conditions under which we work and perhaps some choice of the foreman who will lead us? Believe me, we shall never get any lasting industrial peace except on the lines of industrial democracy.'
If you think that this excerpt from a trade union leader's speech is new or modern then you would be wrong, for it was spoken by Mr. Harry Gosling at The Trade Union Congress in 1916, nearly 60 years ago . Nobody listened, and because nobody listened the industrial strife which has smitten our nation in those 60 years has continued. If we listened, surely the industrial strife could cease.
The good leader will understand that he is privileged to lead a clan of human beings, to understand them, to help them, to cherish them and, above all, to respect them.
Rewards
A leader is a dedicated man. His satisfaction in life comes from the joy of the people that he leads. If he endeavours to lead as the profit motive drives him, then he will cease to be a leader. The successful leader will regard profit as a by-product of some more worthy objective.
The financial rewards are debatable and less intangible than they appear to be. The long hours of work and thought that an active leader will devote to his area of activity demands a certain standard of comfort which is best described as 'spartan dignity' in thIe form of an ofifice, his dress, his transport arrangements and his home. This implies a good level of pay and the Chancellor of the Exchequer will always ensure in these modern times that it is not excessive.
Is there no other reward? Yes there is, and it is only this. If at the end of the day, when you give up the reins, you find that you have nothing left other than your self-respect and the respect of the c1aR that you have ledthen you are rich, if wealth can be counted in terms of job satisfaction. And perhaps more
important, you will have come to realise that whilst a sl!lccessful soldier has to be recognised as a man, then the successful leader of successful soldiers must surely be recognised as a man and a half, and that in itself should be quite a substantial reward.
I suppose these thoughts about a leader were best summed up by Robert Browning, the famous poet, who in writing on the subject of the lost leader said:
We that had loved him so Followed him
Honoured him
We lived under his mild and magnificent eye
We learned his great language
We caught his clear aocents
We made him our pattern to live and to die
It will be seen that it is at this point that the two routes join one another. The route of those that have been well led, and the route of those that have been good leaders , join in
mutual respect; for those that have been well led will recognise the contribution that this leadership has given them, in the rewalids that they have obtained from life and the contribution that they have been able to make to the community during their life, just as the leader will recognise that without those that loyally followed him he had nothing. With them, he too was able to obtain reward from life and make a contribution to the comm unity at large during his life.
The team
The first task of a leader is to create a team about him. In this complicated and very technical age, the team should comprise the most expert and able specialists that are necessary in every sphere of human activity.
In a major industrial company, the team around the leader must comprise chartered accountants , chemists, mechanical engineers, laboratory scientists, personnel experts, human relations advisers and, if you want decent food in the canteens, a catering
Leading with fun.
SJA Cornwall's 1975 cadet camp, held at Metheral, home of County Superintendent (N) Mrs. O. D. Potts, included a training day for those under canvas and other cadets who came for the day. In teams of three, the cadets were sent off at intervals to complete a circuit of six incidents, all of which had to be completed. It proved a long afternoon , with full credit to the patients, who had to remain in all sorts of positions for 4 hours! By mixing the cadets from different divisions, everyone seemed to enjoy this method of teaching, which lacked the pressure of competitions.
In the evening there was a 'sausage sizzle', with ASOs G. Hooper and R. Jacob fryimg 401bs of bangers. With baked beans, rolls and squash the grub went down very well with cadets, parents and friends.
Treating a nose bleed - Cadets Richarel Broughton, Leslie Woon, Richard Jones show D Supt. R. Day, of St. Blazey Ambulance Division, how t's done
(Above right) Singing for their supper? No these cadets, organised by % Barbara Jones sang after the nosh. Sensible
Staff Officers and helpers in un form - at the kitchen. (Facing) ASO Roger Jacob and CNO Mrs. S C. Witterick
adviser. Each of these specialists will be a more able member of the team if he is, in addition to his expertise, an 'all rounder' and a manager of men, interested in human beings and deeply involved in all aspects of the activity that is being directed. This team should be so able that the leader is able to delegate almost every function in the business to them, for having created a team, the good leader will allow the team to operate, joining them from time to time at the weakest point or the point of greatest strain.
But in delegating, of course, the leader will avoid abdicating. It is not enough to give orders; continually one has to give guidance, so the leader will always be guiding his team on what has to be done, giving suggestions on how it may best be done, and then, having delegated and avoiding any form of abdication , there will be constant follow-up to see how each member of the team is performing. He will shun interference - his attitude will be that his intervention will always be welcome.
A series on the maintenance and operation of
AMBULANCES
Property
ANY PROPERTY found at the scene of an accident, etc, or found with a casualty, is the responsibility of the attending police officer, to whom it should be given at the earliest opportunity.
Accidents
The law requires the drivers of all vehicles involved in accidents to comply with certain requirements. The Highway Code (Page 50) gives these requirements in the event of an accident.
If a vehicle is involved in an accident which causes damage or injury to any other person or other vehicle, or any animal (horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog) not in the driver's vehicle, the driver must:
1. Stop;
2. give his own and the owner's name and address and the registration mark of the vehicle to anyone having reasonable grol!1nds fOf requiring them;
3. if he does not give his name and address to any such person at the time, me must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours;
4. if anyone is injured and the driver does not produce his certificate of insurance at
by BRIAN ROCKEI:.L
the time to the police or to anyone who has with reasonable grounds required its production , report the accident to the police as soon as possible, and in any within 24 hours, and produce his certificate of insurance to the police, either whem reporting the accident or within five days thereafter at any police station he selects.
At any accident the driver should undertake the following after treating injuries.
Sketch accident
A sketch of the accident should be made showililg the position of vehicles (indicating the registration mark), the position of all roads with their names, the position of islands, road signs, traffic lights, etc.
Patients
Take the name and address of those who suffered injury
Witnesses
After am accident, witnesses may disperse very quickly so the name and address of any witness should be obtained before they leave the sc@ne.
Remember that the attendant may have witnessed at least part of the incident. Try, wherever possible, to keep calm and collect
part six
all the facts as accurately as possible. Under no circumstances admit guilt for the accident to other dri vers, witnesses or the police. It is helpful to keep an envelope in the ambulance, sealed for emergency use , and containing the following:
a) Instructions in the event of an accident.
b) Pad and ballpoint pen
e) Chalk.
d) Tape measure.
e) Insurance claim form.
f) 2p piece (for telephone call, if necessary).
At the scene of any accident breakdown lorries often appear without being summoned. The driver of any crashed vehicle is at liberty to accept the assistance of any garage but can if he so wishes, refuse the assistance of all. Towing of vehicles after a road accident can be very expensive especially if the vehicle is larger than a car. Ideally the vehicle should be towed to a main dealer (for the type of vehicle) who also carries out bodywork repairs. The telephone number of dealers can be included on the instruction sheet for accident use.
Insurance
An ambulance should always be insured with a reputable insurance company and covered fully comprehensively as an ambulance (not as a Ford Transit, etc.). The vehicle should always be insured for the correct purpose Ambulances can be insured 'for ambulance use only' but this would be incorrect if it were intended to use the vehicle, on any occasion no matter how isolated, for the conveyance of members.
The use to which the vehicle will be put should be defined accurately on the certificate of insurance. The proposal forlll will also ask how many passengers will be carried and this should be accurately defined The number stated should then not be exceeded. If the vehicle is insured for 7 persons, it may be possible to cram in 10 cadets but this could invalidate the insurance coverage (and if the vehicle is actually overJ.oaded this in itself is an ofTem0e)
Full passenger liability should also be covered. In a serious accident involving an ambulance, a passenger already injured is pre-disposed to more serious injuries and a
court could award significantly higher damages. Vehicles should not be used for the carriage of -goods and a vehicle full of equipment'. is likely to be invalidating the terms of insur ance coverage and also violating the law which allows an ambulance to be exempt from excise licence provided it is used as an ambulance only A vehicle in use to carry goods could not therefore undertake its prime purpose , ie , as an ambulanoe.
Other known hazards should be stated on the insurance proposal. Oxygen or Entonox may be carried and this in itself produces additional hazards , and the policy s hould insure against the possibility of an explosion within the vehicle. If radio apparatus is carried this too should be insured, although if the apparatus is considered to be portable an 'All-risks' policy may be more appropriate. If journeys are undertaken on behalf of a County Ambulance Service or Social Services Dept., it may be necessary to extend indemnification to them as a third party,
The insurance company should always be il'lformed promptly after an accident. The company may wish to send an engineer to examirne the vehicle Oli alternatively may give the go -ahead for repairs without it prior examination. This is usually dependent upon the garage's estimate of repair costs.
MODERN ambulances carry a vast and ever increasing range of equipment, much of it electrical. Where a lot of auxiliary equipment is to be operated it is essential, of course, that the vehicle's electrical system can cope with the demands of the electrical equipment.
The latest ambulances are able to cope with the power requirement and it is increasingly common to find ambulances equipped with twin 72 amp hour batteries charged by a heavy duty alternator such as the Lucas 20 ACR (66amp charge). The charge between the two batteries is balanced by a device known as a blocking diode , which stops a fla t battery drawing the power from its partner.
If an older ambulance is fitted with additional equipment it is unlikely that the existing electrical system can cope with vastly increased demands , particularly if a dynamo instead of an alternator is fitted fmproving the electrical system can be costl y. Batteries and alternators are expensive components and the additional wiring required will also add greatly to the cost.
It is not necessary to carry every piece of so phi sticated equipment which is available. The range is tremendous b illt for many types of ambulance much of it would be unnecessary. Some St. John ambulances are used primarily for welfare work (eg, the transport of elderly citizens). For this type of
A sketch of the accident should be made
Taxation
Ambulances, as such, are exempt from the provisions of the law which require vehicles to pay for, and display, an excise licence. There is , however , no strict definition of an ambulance and it may well be insufficient merely to display an ambulance sign and carry a stretc her this in itself would not exempt a car. The taxation authority may wish to examine an ambulance before reaching a decision , especially if the vehicle was not constructed by a recognised ambulance coach builder or is a conversion of a veh icle previously paying road tax.
equipment
carried
work resuscitators, aspirators , etc, are unneces sary and it is only when a ve hicle is likel y to be used for the transport of emergency cases on a regular basis that the full range of equipment, as suggested by the DHSS, is necessary.
Whatever the use of the vehicle , suitable equipment for the lifting and carrying of patients should be installed. Older ambulances usually have a Furley -type stretcher fitted on runner s of differing designs It can be difficult to load the stretc her into the older designs of ambulance and the stretchers used are not suitable for lifting the patient directly from a bed. Later a mbulances are fitted with trolley stretchers, the late st models being fully adjustable in hei ght from almost ground level to hospital bed height and allow the patient to lie in a variety of positions. These stretchers are expensive and economies can be achieved by havi lilg only one trolley stretcher fitted to each vehicle.
A carrying chair should always be carried and is the most frequently used piece of lifting equipment. The latest design (available
Whilst there is no actual definition , it is obvious that the vehicle should appear to be constructed primarily for the conveyance of the sick and infirm, and equipped for that purpose. This exemption of excise licence does not apply if the ambulance is used for carrying members to conferences, etc, and in such circumstances it is Likely that the full road tax will need to be paid.
Another form of taxation which will affect those operating ambulances is V AT. Under pre sent legislation we cannot reclaim VAT paid on ambulances, petrol, etc.
from the Order of St. John Supplies Department) ha s a nylon covered frame which protects the chair from damage.
In specialised situations it may be necessar y to carry additional stretchers.
Ambulances used for road accidents commonly carry a scoop stretcher and some form of spinal board, while those used in clifT, mine and sewer rescues often carry the Neil Robertson stretcher.
All this additional equipment requires storage space, of course, and unless eq uipment is neatly stored, with all cupboards , etc , clearly labelled , the ambulance will soon become very cluttered. And the greate r the range of equipment carried, the greater will be the need for regular training. The use of simple equipment is easily taught - the use of straightforward types of stretcher is included in the First Aid Manual, for instance - but the more specialised the equipment becomes the more intensive will be the need for thorough training.
Where equipment is carried which will not be used regularly (eg , resuscitators, aspirators) revision will be necessary at regular intervals. The purchase of such equ ipment should be carefully considered, as a high er degree of competence is required as ambulance equipment becomes more advanced.
For more detail on ambulance equipment see Review issues June and July 1974.
WALKIE-TALKI E S
from R. E. Cooper, ASO, 'ifransport and Communications
Mr D A. Schulman's letter Walkie-Talkies (Review, Dec 7 S)
IP wmpts these observations:
I ) is a Brigade communic8ltions officer w);w can (i)flier technkal advice on the subject: M r A. F. who l1: a lfl be contacted either h rougfu B ri gade HQ ®r London Dis t rict H Q, We y mol!lth St, L0ndon, WI
2) ] wOl!lld be interested to know Mr. Sehulrnan GaR obtaim approved portable R/T sets for only £200 a pair. It is m @re likely £2100 plus, ea gh My Area has jl!lst obtained one new Pye Pocketfone 70 set fOF £25 9 plws V AT, tllrol!lgro. t m. e generosilt y of tro.e local camival comm ttee.
3) Two portable R/T sets will @e virtually useless as they ro.ave not th€ pow e r to cover th an a mille or less in heavily built-up areas. Has Mr. $ e hwlm 8l n c Q)Iol si d ered buying, thro1!lgh M r. JhrehabliM , a seeondhaFld vehicle set whieh he can offer fQr about £55 eal1: h ? This GO lll ld be mounted in a ve llide as a p ortable base amd wo u ld then give greater support to any portable sets he may obtaiFl.
My investig a tions into this s u bject have taken years, and special fund-raisi mg activilt e s have only this e rn abled 0ur Area to }!)urchase 3 vehicle sets alO d one portable.
I wis m Mr. S c ro ul rn an every success a rn d anyo n e else trying to obtain this valuabl€ equipmen t Nuneat(jJn R E. Cooper
WOOING 'EM
from Brian L. Porter, Sgt!li' reasurer
I read with interes t the report 'Sellimg F k st Aid' by A. A. Weston (Review Dec. 75) in which the Recording R<ilsus e i-Anne was mentiOl'leQ.
Our Division, formed in 19 7 5 (a combination of No t S East Ham Amb. Div start ed and No.8 E ast Ham Nurs. Div 1899), F@ce mtly bought a recor c1i ing ResusGi.-An me after raising o ver £416. T he machin e has been describe d as th e ultimat€ in teac fuilil g emergency resusci,tation an d is a consid e rable advance on the standard ResusciAnne introduced in 196 l.
We understand w e are the first Brigade unit in th e UK t o have this equipment , which proves some SJ uni t s do t hink a h ead and move with h e times As secretary of the Civil Aviation Centre, Mr. Wes on m ust th a t most first aid courses are ru m at divisional level , and not d divisions have the fin ancial resources of the Civil Aviation Centre or ro e fund-rais ng potential of the East Ham Divis o lil I must adcl that for the seco mct year ru mm ing more tham 100 local peFlsioners were 'wined and dined' at this divisio m's expense. We are not frighte med of w00i mg wit m food and a.\c ohel. 384 East lfam Division Brian L. Porter
CALLING A USTRA.LlA AND C A NADA
forom J. A. Verne>n, S/Sgt, Div. Sec.
One @f the l'l'l ost active me m bers o f €>Ulr Yardl @y Ambl!llance D iv i sion (Birmingham) is A/M !T os €l ph Lakin, who devotes m any roOUFS of his to vari o us types 0 f d uti e s. j oe joined the .Brigade in [ 928 in the Stanhope Div.ision of Vict(j) ria, Aus tF ali a , an c he w (i) l!Ild ve FY Iml'll ch like t @ know if there 8JFe any membe r s ther €l w ro o m ight remember him from those early days.
Ol!lr Div S lJI)ll t. S N Bl a ck a n d I would also j'uke t o hear fr o Nol a forrmer member of tl<!is division B l!l d R <!'mnd, wl<!o emigrat ed t o work 0 1'1 h e railways in Canada shortly a fter the last war and who e emtinued to ser v e in the B riga d e there }f 7 Whi tecroft Road, B irm ing ha m Jack Verno /!!
BOER. WAR RIRRON from Lt. Col. R E. Cale-Mackintosh
I must COFfec a det a il co n c erning t me ribb (j) n of tlle St. lJo hn Bronze Medal in my o n St. Jehn Ambulan e e im the Boer War (Re v iew, Dee 75).
READERS VIEWS
Reade r' S' views and Op in iOnS, wh ich should be sent t o the Editor, although published are not necess@rily endorsed by the Editor or the of St. J €l hn a nd its Foundatio As Althou§h rea d ers may sign pub lished letters with a p€!n·name, writers must sUJ.'lply their name and address to the editor.
Mr. Charles W. Tozer has kindly written to me about my d escription of the ribbon ' black with a thin white stripe close to each edge.' Mr Tozer who has had access to the official regulations , informs m€ that the stri pes were wider than shown in my ill l!l stration and the y were at the edges of the ribbon.
I have explained to 1\1r. Tozer that my illustration was taken from the rib b on worm by a Brigade member who served in South Africa a nd also that my e mquiries about t li! e ribbon revealed that the correct pa1tern of the St. John ribbon had not been manufactured for a long wh ile and that a m alternative was being offer ed Though assumed I thi mk Iilot unreasonably, hat my copy of the ribbon was authentic in view of ts age I do not wish to take issue with Mr. Tozer , who has clearly done a great deal o f resear c h. I accept his amendment and would like to thank him for his autlwritative help.
Ken t R. E. CQle-MackintQsh
OUR REVIEW
from Mrs J. M. Mercer, County Superintendent
Mr. St Feet's letter (Review Dec. 75): A s with many other members o f the Brigade, I would not like to see the Review priced out of existemce a md wonder if the following suggestions wou ld help increase the circulation of o ur magazine
A pull-out section for the various medical articles , some of which are in more troan one part. A subscriber could then remove a nd keep these articles without spoili mg other reading wben passing on the Review t o retired rmembers, who so enjoy being kept in contact tm ro u gh our magazi me but o fit en can n ot afford their own copy
Perhaps this p l!I ll-out section could be devoted to our cadets eve r y three montms W lnen I was a cadet we had our own q u arterly magazine, t li1en priced 6d a price which I r ealise is im possible n o w ad ays wi t h the high cost of paper printing , etc; but I know o ur c adet s would welcome a media throug ln which they could exp Fess their ideas
K ent
OUT OF' SIGIrIT, OUT OF •.
from Mr. E. L. E. Hearne, Divisional Superin t endent
Jeanne Mercer
]m h e Revie w we ofte m read o f t he excelle nt work d o ne by Brigade c ade t s and ad 1!l lts. The abo v e t i,tle was suggested by a remark made by E:x-CSO Cadets (A) Mr. W C. Mayhe w M BE , o f S uffolk when I vis it ed hi m while passing b rougn Ips w ich dl!lfimg the New Year holiday. H e s alw a ys veFY happy w mem 'one o f h s boys' ca ll s to see him. Another elderly offi{; er said v ery mU Gh the same thing a nd their re m arks made me wonder : Do we do enOl!lgh fo r o l!l r ex-members on the retired
It is eas y to say: [ fthey want to, they can c om e to see us at H Q. But sorrne of them are getting infirm.
iF e Jll ow Rrigade mermbers, may [ suggest that you and lowe a lot to t hese me N and women who taugnt I!l S much of w mat we k mow and enc (i) uraged l!l S wli!em we were new members. The manuals ma y! have c hanged h u t ti roe Brigade is still made up gf men and women. And an occasiomal five or ten-mi lil utes c d would cheer these elderly (in many cases) founder me m be r s. Th e s p eed of Iiv 1n g is ver y fast nowada y s but when am an OAP I wo u lcllike to th ilil k t li1 at someone fli@ rm St. J ohn would eall anyone reminds me t o remove t fu e beam tli1at it is in my own eyes first' - I am as bad as the rest but I trust that the remarks from t mes e 010 iF aithfuls will make me thi n k again. Berks. E. L. E Hearne
39-40 M EDALS
forom William D0dds, Supt. It was mos inter€sting ti o Ii ead Wli1elil the Brigade firs went to W ar ( Review. ID ec. 75), and I hope futUl:e editions will include more on this
How to get an a,mbulance
IN THE SWIM
MA R. KE lI H8! li bof(')ugb's combined divis ions mave been in dire need of a repl a ceme lil t ambulance for so m e time and suddenly -it a1'1 happened. A group of local business men decided to actand d ived im at the deep end, literally!
Mr Dick Milili ngton director of tne local Ford rmain age mts , agreed to supply the new 81rmbulamee. Them, in his own words : '1Iro ey came to me and said they didr.t' t know when t hey would be able to pay for it. They were o li gan i sing a s!!, ons@ r eld swim. OK - so 1'\11 swirm for my mo n ey.'
Om Slllnday November 30, h aJI,f the town ( so seemed) breast-stroked, c r awled, back stn)ked, g u dgeoned, etc. in tjhe sple mdidly modernised Town baths ",",' T h ey were led by local M P J-o nn Farr w h o athletically dashed through his a ll otted lengths along with Dick M iUington and the supporters of this fam e us division, w llich bas become reoc) wned in n a t ional first-aiGi competition circles over the years.
Ift mi,s event is a my t fu ing to go by, 'Dick fme Ford wo m't have t e wait vo long for rois bal a mce - the e v ent raised over £20(i)!
First - aiders afloat Market Harborough SJA ginls rea td y to swim for an ambulance. (L 1']);'0 Mrs Kathleen !Luker Cadet Sgt Arnn Cla nke, Ca Gl e Cp l. Jenni t er N M Jane Carter and Cadet Julie Darker
fine St. John work.
As an old Military Hosf)ital Reservist, called-up to the Royal Herbert Hospit all, Woolwich in 1939, I often wonder how many of that grand lot of fellows are still active in St John. I for one was very disappo nted that the MHR serv ice was not recognised b y the authorities with the issue of a special bar to their war medals. However, I wonder if any membe r s entitled to the Dunkirk Medal realise that they may be entitled to other awards , such as the Somme and the Aisne Medals , also the Belgium Fidelit y Cross? These awards are given for service in c ertain sectors during the 3940 campaigns in France and Belgium. Applications are checked with official records before the awards are given of course I m y self hold the Dunkirk Medal, als o the Somme , Aisne and Fidelity Cross. They are of supe Fb design and I am very proud to wear them on my SJ uniform can supply anyone wi t h details regarding application forms, etc. 3 7 Westwood Gardens , Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne. William D odds
Wot - no swimsu ,' say MP .!J ehn
NEWS from SCOTLAND
The Installation of the Prier
On December 17 the new Prior ®f S'cotland, the IDuke of Hamilton and Brandon, was solemnly installed by th€l Grand Prior, HRH the Duke of Glol!lcester, in the Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh. Chapteli, together with the Secretary-General of Grand Priory and representatives of the Sovereign Ordeli of Malta, prolS:essed to the kirk from the Canongate Tollbooth, A second procession, led by heralds, accompanied tlrie Grand Prior. The new Pliior of Scotland was brought to the do®r of the church by the Chancellor of the priory and the Lord Lyml King of Arms, The Grand 1f>rim installed the Prior in his throne and, after receiving his homage, entrusted to him tlrle Sword of T@mporal Jurisdiction. After the installation a luncheon was meld in the Assembly Rooms in Ge@rge Street
St. Andrew's Day
On November 30 members of chapter attended tlile offiGial St. Andrew commemoration servilS:@ in St. Giles, Edinbmgh.
WALES
Gwent's Caldicot Divisi(C)fl, started in January 1975, held its first awards presentation evening, which was attended by County CommissiGl'ler Sqd Ldr. E. F. Oldland, on December 15. Caldicot'$ Divisional Officer E, Williams spoke of his hopes for the division and hlis satisfactiom in the growth of the cadet section under Mr. Bradbury. The divisioJOl needed more nlllrsing members, and a SRN fer teaching nursing. Mr, Williams said the
Torphichen
The Torphichen branch of the Assoeiatiom held a very shlceessful wine and cheese party at Wallhoyse. With their accumylated funds the TOFphichen committee of the Order kave been able to preselilt a minibus to the Childrem's Home at Wallh(')Use. The bus bears the badg€l of the Order aJnd the inscriptiol1, 'Preselilted to the Children of Wallhouse by \il1l embers of the Order of St. John, Torphichen.'
Perth and Kinross
A public meeting was hl€lld in Perth on November 27 with Smgeon Rear-Admiral D, M, Beaton, chairman of the Perth and Kinross Committee of the Order, in the chair to inaugurate a St. John Association for the GOhlnties of Perth and Kinross. The history of the Order was described and two films on its work were shown. It was announced that ex-Lord Provost A. U. Cross had been app<ointed chairman of the new association and members of his committee were then elected.
J. R-S
The Surgeon-in-Chief commlents on ...
Comp,etition standards
WITH the mrst aid competition season for 1976 rww gathering momentum, a digest of the Surgeon - in - Chief's comments on standards at _ the 1975 Brigade Fin alls might help you or your team to a better result.
Team
Dewar Shield (men)
n most cases team leaders did not employ their organisational a bility to the full; both the use of equipment and casualty handling could be bettered Bandages were often incorrectly applied, not beiflg firm enol!lgh to prec'lud€ movement.
Perrott Shield competition (women)
OVERSEAS
was call1ed fo ,r when choosing equipment, aFid CQmmumlcation was not lip t® fu e e A st" ndard As a gem'eral comment rel1JUlr \;!I '" here was great variation between the variol!ls team members
There was a 1!lIiliform high standa r d. of the initial assessement of the respectIve t ations and of estabLishing priorities. Sl 1!I • • Tmere was, however, some vanatlOn In the standards concerning the OiHiLflag€ment ®f the situations and the diagmosis was not correct. With two exceptiolils the handling of the casl!lalties was veliY good but there was an eX'travagamt use of first aid equipment. For example , sterile pads were used as olidinary padding. Communication was 'fai r tQ) middling.' Om the whole it was felt t h at tille standard was reasonable altho ugh some competitors seemed under the imlfJressien that there was a hiddrm catch somewhere in the tests!
Nursing members
Perrott Shield
division was very fortunate to have as its president Mr. L. Gardiner of Undy, and Dr. IDavies, of Caldicot as its surgeon, Sqd. Ldr. Oldland congratulated Mr. Williams on getting the division off the ground in so short a time. Warrants of appoin t ment were presented to Dr. B, Davies and M Ii Williams. First Aid certifrlcates were presented to 17 members by Chief Training Officer for Wahls Peter Marries.
Micd-Glamorgan's C',!lilell'1 Valley District Offi cer (R) Mrs I"hyllis Harriso l'l Re>derk:k (right in phGt@) rel'l0rts: 'At Ion\') last l"enGieryn vi llage has a Gombined Gamet division! A, a New Year prese lOI tatiGn par<ly, the first ever hem al'ld aHene:ted by many cadet officers k ®fT'l other iSJivisi0l'ls,
The same comments as for the Dewar Shie ld apply but notable also was insufficient time given to diagnosis and examination of the patient. It was surprising how many competitors handled the casualty with a lack of gentleness.
White Knox Cup competition (ambulance cadets)
Leadership again was not of high calibre, The establishment of priorities was Floticeably poor specifically in regard to breathing.
Dunbar - Nasmith Cup (nursing cadets)
Leadership specifically in regard to use of manpower, was again lacking, IFisufficient attention was paid to respiration and the position of the casualty's head. Quite a few teams failed t o discover that the leg was bleeding and the thigh brui$ed.
Individual tests
Dewar Shi e ld
Most competitors were qmite good at assessing the situanion a lthough when establishililg the priorities of treatment some were below average. The general managerment of nhe various situations could also have been improved although when it came to the utilisation of manpower a oo d bystanders they were quite good
Much more care is needed when handling ca s ualties, alth (!'H!lgh there were one or two exceptioms. More aUentio Iil
Malaysia
1975 was a very active and busy year for St. John Ambulance Malaysia.
The Senior Officers' Conference, held at the University Technology Malaysia on April 12 and 13, was opened by the Minister of Health and Deputy PresideFlt of St. John Ambulance Mailaysia H. E Tan Sri Lee Siok Yew, PMN PJK. Aboyt 100 officers from all over Malaysia took part.
Papers presented and discussed were:
I, Tan Sri Abdu l Kadir b Shamsuddin (Commander-in-Chief): St. John Ambulance Act. The Rules structure function and management.
2. Dato Sri (Dr) Haji Megat Khas (Dy Commamder-in-Chief): The scope and development of training activities for adult uniform members.
3. Dr. E. R. Dingley (Chief-of-Staff (Trg): The scope and development of St. John training in the country,
In general patient handling was well carried out - the sole exception was for the patient who was paralysed. Many members fo umd difficulty in putting patients in the recovery position. In respect of umconscious patients competitors ignored the tho1!lght of incontinence,
The importance of general hygiene , specifically before handling medicine, was oftem igfloredl.
Dunbar-Nasmith Cup
Ca@ets were noticeably good at establishing a rapport with patients and helpers; their standard of bed-making was good allthowgh more should have been giv.en to those patieflts left in an unsupf)<Drted JO>osition. Cadets need to practice the actual lifting of patients and importam,tly the pouring of medicine and the abs o lute necessity of giving exact dosage
General
[ alilil always sorry for competitolis - it ml!lst be a nerve-rackimg experienoe fOIi those appearing at Brigade Finals for the mrst time. Nometheless , I would be failing tO my duty if ] were to say the general stamdalli d of first aid and nursing was of the possible - quite fraflkly, it was mot. I was, in fact, a little disappeirnted at the overall and feel that O1!lr traimirng, methlods of training amd practice be kept continually I!llllderr r eview so tillat we achieve the high staradalid ex(§)ected ®f us.
4. Mr. E Paramasivam (Ops): The organisation, administration, disciJO>line and efficiency of the uniform personnel.
5. Data (Dr) P. T. Arasu (Chief Surgeon): Training materials and other visual aids Demonstrations and film slide services,
6. Major V. I. Jos€ph (Secretary-General): Drill and protocol of the inspecting officer.
7. Mr. R, S, Gurcharan Singh (Principal Staff Officer (Trg): The scope and development of training and activities for St. John Cadets and Juniors.
8. Mr. J, R. Menezes (Asst. Hoft. Treasurer): Finance, budgeting, accounting and fund raising
Investiture
The Prime Minister, Y. A , B. Tun Abdul Razak bin Haji Hussein, SMN, KStJ, who is also the President for St. John Ambulance Malaysia, presented the awards at a ceremony on April 11 to:
OFFICER
Encik E. Paramasivam lohore
EnGik R S Gurcharan Singh, Penang · Puan Mary See Selangor.
SERVING BROTHER
Dr. G. BalasuIDrar.naniam , Negeri Sembilan.
Encik Lee Chak Kwan , Negeri Sembilan
Encik L. Tan Seng Kow , Negeri Sembilan
Elilcik Lee Boon Hong Negeri Sembilan.
Encik Lam Chee Kong Negeri Sembilan.
Encik N. E Nathan, Negeri Sembilan.
EnCi:ik A. $, Annamalai Perak,
Enci k Wong Cheak Yin, PeTak
Encik Shahiddin b. Pandak Iman , Perak
Encik Goh Toh Yee , Perak.
Encik Abdul Rahlim b. Omar, Kelantan.
Encik K. Subramaniar.n , Kelantan.
Encik N. Dalliah, Perlis
Encik Chin Kim Poh, Mala y an Railway.
SERVING SISTER
Cik Tan Ben g Chew , Penang.
Puan Ch ng Saw Lum Penang
Cik Saw Liew Kim Penang.
Dr Chaflg Hoey Chan, JMN, P.JK, OStJ , MD, DPH, retired CClmmissioner, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Malaya , died at the General Hospital, JohGre Bahru, on July 10 1975
Dr Chang Hoey Chan, who was Commissioner of the Bri gade, Malaya from 1957 to 1966, was the first Malaysian to hold this appoifltment. During his period he was respClflsible for the raising of the strength of the personne and standard @f the Brigade throughout Ma l aya. He ifltroduced vari0us camps conferences and competitions on
by
Dr Chang Hoey Chan joined St. Johfl Ambulance in 19]8 and served ifl Ipoh, Batu Gajah, Teluk Anson, Taiping and Tapah.
Aft€lr the ceremony about 1,000 members and invited guests including the Prime Minister, Minister of Health, Minister for Education, Members of the Diplomatic Corp$ and Commander-in-Chief, attend€d the St. John Ambulance dinner at the D€wan Tynku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur. Competitions
At the National First Aid and Home Nyrsing competitions held at University Technology Malaysia on April 10, the State of Selangor became the champions and Penang the runners-up in first aid. Selangor became the champions and Penang the runners-up in nursing,
At the International Competitions between Malaysia and Singapore held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia became the champiens and Singapore the runners-up in both first aid and nursing. Cadet camp
250 cadets took part in the combined National Cadet Camp held at Coronation Camp Penang, November 19 to 23.
Commander-in-Chief
The Commander-in-Chief St. John Ambulance Malaysia, Y. B. Tan Sri Abdul Kadir bin Shamsuddin , who is also Chief Secretary to the Government, was made a Knight, St. John. Ambulances
SJ A in the following States were presented ambulances from public donations: Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johore. Retirement
Deputy Commander-in-Chief SJA Malaysia, Datuk Sri (Dr) Haji Megat Khas, CStJ, retired on November 1 after more than 25 years with SJ A Malaysia.
News from
Divisions/Centres
Mi ss A Sand ers o n, Area Nurse Spe c ali st Adviser Ch ld Health in Northumbria then spoke of problems of children o all ag es a nd of problem s in community life , and to ld
Finall y Mi ss P Sigsworth W o man Supt Northumbrian Police talked about social welfare from the po lice point of v ew The speak ers described how the Social Wel are problem wa s bein g dealt with. T he conferen
g and CARING ab ou co mmunity life
OBITUARY
Gilbert Yeoman Burnham, 77, Area Superintendent (R) Cambridge Retired after 36 years service in 1973. Serving Brother 1961. Officer of the Order , 1973. Died November 20.
James Edwin Garratt, member London District , Southern Area from about 1933, 33rd Division, Bermondsey, Walworth aNcl Peckham. Died in South Wales, last September.
Henry Joseph Godfrey, 79, for many years Hon. Treasurer of the XXII Hospital Saturday Fund Di vision. Serving Brother. Died November 6.
Thomas James Jones (Tommy), 83 Liverpool Division. Serving Brother. Died October 26 in Newsham H ospital L iverpool.
Lady K. Schultz, President , Hull Wilberforce No.2 Nursing Cadet Division Died suddenly November 21.
(Above) At Government
(Right) Supt. Mrs. C. J. TOYflton
REVIEW CROSSWORD No.2 (76)
(Comp led by W A Pott er!
Across:
Prodmced by the body in resp0nse to a specific antigen. (8). 5. After a little science a communist is much afraid. (6). 10. Incompletely fractured. (7). 11. Wildly attunes to a dangerous complication of wounds. (7). 12. One of the early anaesthetics could be there (5) 13. The part of the conscious mind embodying the sense of individuality. (3). 14. From the south comes pom track of wild animal. (5). 15. Bony prominences of the ankle. (8). 19. The new ones appeared in 1971. (5). 21. Appliance for surgical fixation of fracture of the neck of femur. (3). 22. Participated in a track event at the athletic meeting. (5). 24.
Unrivalled iF! a proletarian society? (8). 27. Strange traps for small fish. (5). 29. Inverted tin for louse's egg. (5). 31. Begin a sudden involuntary movement. (5). 32. Legendary animal with one painful callosity of the foot. (7). 33. Part of the brain controlling vital functions. (7). 34 Roving about like some of the knights. (6). 35. Aid I sent for inflammation of the lymphatic glands (8)
Down:
1. Search for the curves formed by the bones of the foot. (6), 2. Tubular organ lying in front @f t1he oesoproagus. (7). 3. B r eak for a skilled tradesman. (5). 4. Craftily evade a clever eX:p>€dient. (5) 6 Laceration is forming the true skin. (5). 7. Feeling exhausted having descended rapidly on foot. (3.4). 8. Untidy illness? (8). 9. Mydriatic given pre-operatively (8). 16. Eye protector. (3) 1T Adductor muscle of the thumb. (8). 18. Assume a recumbent position to deceive. (3) 19. Father left a friend. (3) 20. When applied directly , it will control almost all bleeding. (8) 23. Pigeon which is a source of infection. (7) 25. Fever of the Pimpernel? (7) 26 Meat chopped in half cooks over boiling water. (6) 28 !F rom n0rth comes an aflnoying foreign body in tine skiM. (5). 30. Shy and easily frightened (5). 31. Send a reconstructed chair to transport a person. (5)
Content: This presentation shows how those affected b y hemiplegi a may be assisted by doctors , nurses , physiotherapists and their re lation s so that impro v ement to their condition is effected.
Appraisal: This programme shows modern teaching in connection witl1 s t f0ke patients and clearly shows how team work can improve the patients by suitable therapy. The content of the presentation is faultless but the commentary is somewhat monotonous.
Audience: Nurs ing students , social workers and v ictims and re lation s of those suffering from hemiplegia Of peripheral interest to St. John members.
NON-ACC I DENTAL INJURIES TO BABIES (33 Trans.)
Produeed and Distributed by: Camera Talks Ltd.
Prices as above.
Content: This presentation outlines the battered bab y sy ndrome and gi ves diagnostic points to enable GPs and other workers t o gi ve earl y warning of this condit io n.
Appraisal: This is an up -to -date and con v incing pre se ntation that will be of great value to medical and para -medical audiences. Some of the transparencies are horrifying and the use of thi s technical programm e should be restricted. An excellent presentation.
Audience: Professional audiences onl y Not suitable for St. John Ambulance members
F URT HE R E D U CAT I ON O F THE HANDICAPPED (47 Trans.)
Produced and Distributed by: Camera Talks Ltd.
Prices as above.
MENTA LL Y
Content: This prese li1 tation outlines modern methods of ensuring that all ment a lly handicapped people receive education appropriate to their need.
Appraisal: This is an average presentation that is rather on the long s ide and which conta in s many transparencies inappropriate to the theme and the commentar y; however , in general terms the programme does cover its s ubject with accurac y albeit in a rather dull manner.
Audience: Primarily for relatives of the mentall y handicapped but could be screened universally.
ACCIDENTS ARE SE L DOM ACCIDEN T S ( 1975)
16mm. Col. 22 mins. Hire: £2.00 (2 days). Purchase £67 Cen t ral Film Library Government Buildings , Bromyard Avenue, London W3.
Content: This film shows accidents that occur in the operation of farm tractors
Appraisal: T h e panel consider th is a good accident prevention film with well s imula t ed accidents caused by the mis - use of farm tractors ; pe rr haps greater punch might have been given had fewer but more c le arl y s hown accident situations been attempted nonetheless an import a nt safety film in its field
Audience: A g ricultural safet y officers and all farm workers.
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Oberland and by Lake Lu cerne, two of the m ost beau tif u egi o ns i n this land of deep blue la kes pine fores s lu sh p as tur es, and s no w -c app ed moun ains A 12 - day inclu sive t our ca n cos t ess t h an £ 50 00 for adul ts with b g re d u cti o n s for under-
2 1 s t' s easy o run yo u r own summ e camp in Switz erlan d, with a little hel p f ro m Ca mpt o
NAYIONAl
COMPETITIONS
S"T. JOHN
REVIEW
At Random, by Watkin
Aboard the good ship by Clare Tilley p.50
The English disease in the home, by Ian Wilson p.52
Rescue - with SJA Guernsey , p.53
The
What
Around
Cadet
Exciting big bore p.62
One-to-One day, by Ethel E Lytham p.63
Ambulances, part 7, by Brian Rockell p.64
Readers'Views p.66
Pulling togethe r at a major incident p.67
News from Scotland - Wales p.68
News from Divisions/ Centres p.70
Visual Aids p 72
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
I'M SOMETIMES asked how and in what circumstances Brigade members come to be awarded Meritorious Service Certificates and Letters of Commendation - a matter which should certainly be more widely known about than it is. Brigade Regulation 104 refers briefly to the existence of these awards for both adults and cadets, adding in a footnote that they 'will be applied for through the usual channels to the Commissioner-in-Chief; but the rest is silence. Further enlightenment is available to Commissioners at County HQ in a document called General Memorandum No.5 (Honours and Awards), to the effect that:
(a) The Meritorious Service Certificate is awarded to recognise outstanding skill in succouring sick or injured persons. The action should in general disclose difficult conditions or some degree of personal risk in getting to the casualty or during the subsequent treatment. The actual certificate is on illuminated parchment suitable for framing.
(b) A Letter of Commendation is awarded to mark and record outstanding first aid both in knowledge and application. Some difficulty must be shown as having occurred during treatment, e.g. several casualties with serious Injuries, difficult working conditions or particularly tenacious continuation of treatment. The letter is on parchment-type paper and suitable for framing.
It should be clear from the above that the purpose of both these awards is to recognise actions which may fairly be described as involving a rather more complex situation than those which we, as Brigade members, may normally be expected to deal with. Commissioners can't possibly be expected to know about such actions unless they are reported to them. It's therefore open to any member of the Brigade, or to any member of the public who happens to
Aboard the good ship
17-year-old Nursing Member (Grand Prior Cadet) Clare Tilley (left)
found her sea-legs during a November cruise on the STA's schooner Sir Winston Churchill and she's gOing, back to sea again
I WAS introduced to the idea of going on a Sail Training Association cruise just over a year ago. I filled in the application forms, sent them off and thought no more of it. At first there were no berths available, then last May I was offered a place on the schooner 'Sir Winston Churchill' in November.
Our Salisbury Combined Division, under Mrs. Reeve its superintendent, which had undertaken to sponsor me, set to work to raise the cost of the cruise -£ 102. This money, raised separately from normal funds so that the division was not out of pocket by sponsoring me, was paid by August.
About a month before I was on board I was semt an information booklet which included the names of the different parts of the ship ancl the orders that would be given aboard. We had to learn these and although we were not later tested on them we soon found that when orders were given it was pretty obvious who hadn't done their homework! So beware.
When we boarded the schooner at Southampton we were told to get changed into jeans and SWC jumpers and then go up on deck to uncover the sails. That was the start of our sailoring. That evening we had to climb the rigging to the crow's nest and then down the other side again. Monday morning was spent learning how to do things aboard and how to hoist the mizzen sail. With 12 others I was in the mizzen watch and part of our work was to look after this which we were told was the biggest mizzen in Europe. Quite a handful for us girls.
We left Southampton at 14.15 on the Monday and sailed down the Solent to anchor off Cowes about two hours later.
Tuesday morning was spent getting used to our ship, sailing up and down the Solent in compruny with the other STA schooner Malcolm Miller until about 14.30, when we set sail for France.
We sailed throughout the night and by Wednesday morning were off St. Malo, where we went into harbour at 17.00 with the Malcolm Miller. During the trip across Channel, which was quite wugh, quite a few of our crew emptied their stomachs over the side, but luckily I wasn't one of tlilem.. While we weFe in St. Malo we had the chance to look over the Malcolm Miller. From a distance she looks the same as the SWC, but
when on board small differences are found. The half-deck and galley look more modern, but for us our SWC seemed the better ship - naturally! We stayed in harbour at St. Malo for 48 hours instead of 24, due to bad weather.
On Friday morning we left and sailed straight into a calm. There wasn't a ripple on the water or hardly a breath of wind. The calm lasted all day and throughout Saturday, during which we travelled about 20 miles. However, these conditions didn't last; when we got up to go on watch at 04.00 on Sunday it was blowing a Force 10 gale! I was meant to be the watch messenger and wearing a safety harness, but a sail that was being lowered jammed and I had to go up the rigging to free it. I climbed aloft to find I couldn't reach the sail and then realised that the wind had freed it. It was very frightening up there, with the ship rolling, in the dark, But I don't think I could have done it in daylight, when I could have seen the roaring seas below me one moment, the hard deck the next No, the darkness helped this greel'lhorn.
During the blow we covered 120 miles in 8 hours - averaging 15 knots - and in the afternoon we came up to the green hills of the Devon coast, to anchor, stow sails, and then motor into Dartmouth. We wondered if the naval cadets realised that the schooner coming in was crewed by girls
We sailed from Dartmoutb at 16.30 on the Monday and again the sea was rough but not quite as bad as before. We headed across Channel again to Alderney in the Channel Islands, where we stayed for 48 hours, again due to bad weather. This was November, don't forget; not the best time for sailing around the English coast.
When we left on the Thursday the sea was again very rough, and we only set the staysail with the engines running. The seas were mountainous, but very exciting. Luckily there was no rain so visibility was good when we were on the crests of the waves. By about 17.00 we reached Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight, where we anchored until 5.30 the next morning and then motored to Cowes, rejoining the Malcolm Miller. We were meant to fuave a race with her down the Solent but having set the sails there was not a breath of wind, so our hard work was in vain.
The SWC docked in Southampton at 14.30 - the end of our cruise. Nobod y wanted to leave the ship and there were quite a few tears , During the crujse I did two days of day. work , one in the galley, the other with the Bosun's mate. In the galley I did the /' washing-up while food was being prepare a and after meals , and also prepared the vegetahles. With the Bosun's mate meant getting up at 06.00 to scrub the decks , clea n the brass (there is a lot aboard) and down the paint -work.
In port we were given plenty of shore leave , while in Alderney we took part in a football match and others went swimming, Between the two captains of the STA schooners there was much competition as to who had the best crew, both while sailin! between ports and in harbour, especially in sail setting.
Having read so far you may feel that fe on a training schooner is all beer and It isn't. The work was hard but verf MORE SJA
CRUISES
rewarding. We all left with blisters an a SJA members - guys and dolls - are really, feeling the scend of the hardened hands, but nobody seem to mind, sea. At pres(mt 39 'guy' members , aged [6 to 20 , are cruising on the If anyone has the chance to go I would saf Malcolm Miller having left Portsmouth on February 29, returning 'Go'. It is great fun, and you come awa March 13. And an all-girl party of 39 (also 16 to 20 year olds) are with marvellous memories , knowing th at crewing the same schooner from Hull between June 13 to 26. Both you've made some good friends. The feelin ! parties are organised by London HQ. Bon voyage, shipmates! Hope aboard is - you're all in the same boat. No, the grub is as good as Clare found ship or schooner - never call a schooner ! boat!
I've since received a report of mf performance aboard, together with an invitation to go back as a watch-leadel during 1976. So I made the grade. I've my sea-legs.
To the SWC's cook and his assistant wh n produced such fantastic food, I'd like to sa) a special thank you.
Editor: Clare has since heard that the 197f cruises she applied Jar are Jull up, so ond more she's on the waiting list. Strangel! enough, the STA's girls' cruises are bookel up much more quickly than the boys' cruise! Or is it so strange when 1976 is womer/ year? And Div. Supt. Mrs. Reeve, initiated Clare's original application, hO herself been accepted Jor a cruise on Iii Malcolm Miller in November 1976. ,
(Photo: A. Bromley-Martin. Bosham Hoe)
The cook and his assistant John and Derek. who produced such fantastic food
The English disease the home • In
With the ups and downs of Britain' s weather, we should all know more about coping with chronic bronchitis
says IAN WILSON, SRN,DSR,SRR
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS is often called the 'English Disease' because it is so prevalent in England's damp climate. 20% of English people over 50 suffer from it to some degree. Many St. John members may already give support to sufferers in their homes, and they should be able to recognise when medical aid is needed and what care to give day by day.
Comfort
The degree of care needed will vary with the severity of symptoms. Some bronchitics may be respiratory cripples, unable to move without breathlessness, or cyanosed even at rest. When in bed an 'arm-chair' arrangement of the pillows will help the patient's breathing by allowing the diaphragm to descend to its lowest level, drawing in the maximum volume of air. Pressure-area care is important as the sacral region takes the patient's weight most of the time. If the blankets don't reach the chest because of the upright position, a separate chest blanket and vest should be worn. Everything needed should be at hand, as the slightest straining can produce breathlessness.
Sputum
A morning cup of tea will do much to raise phlegm. To smoke, 'just one fag' is illogical, even though the patient may cough effectively, as more phlegm is produced by the irritation. Smoking is best avoided, as it only makes bronclilitis worse. Cigarettes, incidentally, are implicated as the cause of bronchitis as well as lung cancer.
Sputum (phlegm) if produced should be clear and frothy. A dirty greenish colour denotes infection and the doctor should be informed. The patient may run a temperature, look ill and be more breathless than usual. A stock of antibiotics may have been given to patients who can be trusted with them to take if they see a change in their sputum. SPUTUM CAN BE CAUGHT IN COVERED CONTAINERS old plastic yogurt pots are useful. Tissues or soft toilet roll can be used but should then be burnt. Burning is best to stop the spread of
infection, especially if young children share the same household, for the bacteria can cause sore throats and colds. People with colds should never visit bronchitics, because if the bronchitic catches a cold on the chest this can lead to raging pneumonia and even respiratory failure.
Oxygen
If the disease progresses the bronchitic will faGe some periods in hospital, more especially during the winter. Here he will be given physiotherapy to assist coughing and to make full use of the diaphragm and muscles for breathing. Controlled oxygen may be given when the patient is breathless and cyanosed. Arterial blood can be taken to assess the true efficiency of breathing. The levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide give a guide to the patient's progress. A controlled percentage of oxygen is prescribed to prevent a rapid rise in retained carbon dioxide. A bronchitic is relatively insensitive to carbon dioxide as a spur to breathing and depends on a low oxygen level in the blood as a stimulus. A high concentration of oxygen reduces respiratory drive and inadeq uate breathing follows. Tremors, confusion and acute cyanosis result.
Ambulance personnel may give oxygen during transfer from home to hospital if the patient is cyanosed. But concentrations of oxygen, suitable for shocked patients, are dangerous for bronchitics. It can make them worse, even unconscious. A simple change to a low concentration mask can prevent this.
Ambulances carry two masks, one for trauma, the other for patients with chest conditions.
Given at home
Oxygen given at home in cases dependent on it should be for short periods only. For oxygen is expensive and cumbersome to transport. To use it 24 hours a day would require a supply of 36 cylinders a week!
Usually one or two cylinders a week are used, changed by the chemist. The equipment is similar to that carried by ambulances. A portable rechargeable cylinder can be obtained to run off the main
supply - but beware of any naked flame nearby when using oxygen.
Drugs
Drug therapy for the bronchitic is important. Bronchodilators help to relieve spasm of the air passages caused by irritation. Spasm is evidenced by a wheeze on breathing out. Aerosols work quickly but become dangerous if over used in panic. Steroids may be given to suppress chronic inflammation. The dose varies depending on the patient's response. Treatment must be continuous to stop collapse from inadequate production of natural steroids (adrenal suppression). The adrenal glands do not secrete if the blood levels are already high due to taking artifical steroids. A warning card is carried by the patient , which is important if injury occurs Expectorants aid the raising of sputum. Simple ones are best. A steam inhalation (Nelson) with tincture of Benzoin is useful to soothe a sore throat.
Diuretics (water pills) are given if the legs are swollen due to heart failure. The heart may be- basically sound but the strain of a longstanding chest disease may give cardiac symptoms. As the patient passes more urine than usual a urinal is a must. It can be improvised from a wide necked bottle (eg, a fruit juice flagon) Sleeping pills are not givelil as they cause respiratory depression. Retained sputum occurs as coughing is inadequate when the patient is heavily sedated.
Cadets can help these patients, when they cannot get about, by doing their shopping.
Light occupational therapy can be devised to occupy the housebound, such as sewing , jewellery making, drawing, marquetry and reading District nurses whether associated with St. John or not may be able to advise divisions of ways of helping locally. Some people may be housebound solely becal!ls€ they Jack a strong 'pusher' for their wheelchair.
Bronchitics pose problems for the firstaider in that they are best sitting-up t@ breathe, they may be taking steroids, arne they can suffer if given a high concentration of oxygen. •
RESCUE
vvith SJA Guernsey
A
(Above)
remote-cclntrolled portable searchlight to scan the sea and the cliffs for anyone in distress, a j oint St. John Ambulance and Police night rescue operation in Guernsey
These fine pictures and that on the COver are by The Guernsey Press. Thanks for their use
(Right) A sick crew - member of a Swedish ship, transferred at night 30 miles olifishore to Guernsey high speed launch Flying Christine II, is brought ashore en route for hospital. See report p 69
A recent addition to the sophisticated rescue equipment of St. John Ambu lance Guernsey; an automatic recoil winch with 300 feet of steel cable for lifting a Paraguard stretcher patient and two men up a vertical cliff. The equipment. costing £ 100, was presented to SJA by the family of Mark Jarvis, who was critically injured in 1973 when he fell 275 feet from a Guernsey cliff
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine New York, where the Society"s service and investiture was held last November
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY Of THE ORDER
The Blessing by the Chaplain of the American Society, The Rt. Rev Horace W. B. Donegan, CBE, DD. To the Chaplain s right is the Sub-Prelate The Rt. Rev Paul Moore Jr, STD
The Lord Prior €)f the Order, Lord Caccia, addressing the Postulates during the investiture which followed the service. To his right is the Chancellor, Mr. Grayson Kirk, KBE, PhD; to his left the ViceChancellor Mr. H ugh Bullock , KBE
FO R MED in 1959 at the suggestion of the then Lord Prior, Lord Wakehurst, just before our Ophthalmic Hospital moved into its fine new building in East Jerusalem, the American Society of the Order is open to citizens and residents of the United States, Its charitable- role is to support the Ophthalmic Hospital.
In 1962 it established an eye bank at the hospital (opened by King Hussein of Jordon and to which his own eyes are bequeathed) , and an American surgeon in charge of the bank is supplied each year. In 1972 the Society also took over responsibility for the children s ward.
The Society's 400 members , spread throughout the US , are Associate members of the Order, while its Board of Governors is centred on New York. The board includes such emil1ent Americans as Dr. Grayson Kirk, KBE (Chancellor); Mr. Hugh Bullock , KEE (Vioe-Chanoellor); and the Rt RevQ, Horace W. B. Donegan, CBE , DD (Chaplain).
Every November the Society holds an investiture in New York, which is usually attended by the Lord Prior. In 1975 an investiture was also held in San Francisco, where a West Coast committee of the Society was formed recently under the chai rr manship of M r. Robert Magowan, who is chairman of Safeway Stores.
Welcome, West Coasters. •
Surrey County PRO R. S. DOLAN asks:
What is nevvs'1
ADVER TISING is big business in any industry and no forward looking organisation can do without it It is essential in the selling of a product to the public. It can also be very expensive.
So how does one achieve what may seem impossible - to publicise St John and its activities without it being too costly for the Division, Area or County?
Obviollsly to say that all events and the necessary publicity will involve no financial outlay would be ridiculous as well as untrue; but are you using the facilities that are available - your local newspaper, radio station, shops and hoardings , or even sometimes bhe national press?
More to the point: are you using your County PRO? In my experience the chances are that you as a Division, Area or County are not.
Why not? Do you not know who he is?
His name is in the County telephone directory or can be obtained from your County Secretary.
Or is it simply that you don't recognise what is news , and consequently miss opportunities for publishing? News is something that is about 'to happen , or has just happened. Not something that happened last week or last month. No newspaper is interested in that. But they would be interested in having a date in their duty diary for a coming event , a function in a week or two's time, especially if it is an event calling for the presence of a reporter or a photographer. Items such as enrolment, a fund raising day, a dance , a first aid course in session, a mock emergenc y and the like. It would also be an asset to have a follow up story stating how many people passed the first aid exams, or how much was raised by an appeal, etc.
To be pUblicity conscious requires communication, and without communication you will get nowhere Therefore I would suggest that each Division elects someone to act as their Divisional PRO , and each Area to do the same. These should keep their County PRO informed of Divisional and Area activities. You will find that the County PRO will be able to assess the news value of YOl!lr function and advise the best way to advertise it.
Some Counties such as Surrey , are so large that the County PRO may not always hear what is happening on the other side of the County. So please keep him informed. No matter how trivial you think an item may be always let him know about it together with the name of your local paper. He will then try to get you the maximum publicity. But don't ring him, say, on a Friday night for coverage of a function the following day
Ring him a week before the event
Often I first hear of important newsworthy events that happe1wd not days or weeks but even months before, events which could have gained good press publicity if only I had heard earlier. We work hard in St. John, so let people know about it Don ' t leave it until the news is dead.
Enrolment ceremonies - bomb explosion exercises - airport emergency drills and the like are all newsworthy and can sometimes be of interest to the daily papers as well as the locals, especially if good photographs can be obtained.
Area Commissioners are good contacts for Area PROs to constantly badger for information, which should then be passed on to the County PRO.
County Secretaries, who are always overworked, keep us informed as much as possible, but monthly County Orders often carry descriptions of events after they have happened, when for news purposes the information is dead
Remember if you do contact the press direct , ' any matter relating to Brigade policy must not be discussed without the
permission of the Commissioner' (Regulation 154).
Further suggestions: Do not send your local newspaper an article written on the back of an envelope or on a tatty bit of paper. A sheet of, say, lOins x 8ins paper, typewritten with double spacing and lin margins on each side, is ideal, for this makes for easier reading and handling. You are not expected to be a journalist or to write your stories like a professional. The sub-editor or your PRO will give your report an expert touch . What they need from you are the facts. And do not forget to put all names in capital letters, Caption all photographs on the reverse side in very light pencil. Avoid the use of paper clips for these can scratch the picture. If you want the pictures back ask for their return. If a picture was taken by a local photographer ask the newspaper to give him a credit. Do not pad your article with trivial information in order to make it long. Space is very precious on the air or in the press; therefore keep it short and to the point. In your local press you stand far more chance of getting in a small two paragraph 'filler' than an article of 300 words.
This pictu re just received, is news to the editor. Why ?
Because treasurer Ron Lang of Clevedon Ambulan ce Div sion is doing his b e st o get our mag az ine into the picture when Div. Supt. Jeff Dodge right) retired recently after 35 years with the Division Jeff's influence is such that Cle ved on in known lo c ally as DODGE City Anyway,
Use your County PRO for recruiting purposes. They are in touch with Headquarters, where invaluable information, photographs and sometimes publicity equipment is available to them usually at a small charge. So consult your County PRO - use him , that what he's there for - for all your publicity requirements. You'll find he's friendly - just waiting to help. Advertise yourselves in 76 should be the motto. • 55
THE THOUGHT
I hear that just before Christmas a letter was at Salisbury Divisional HQ from a Mr. J. Wayland-Smith, of America, who was assisted by two Brigade members when taken ill in the city one night in May 1966. The writer wanted to thank the members and, as he now found it possible to make up for that good deed, he enclosed a cheque for 100 dollars.
Just shows you, doesn't it? - People can't always say thanks at the time. But we can now.
Thanks a million, Mr. Wayland-Smith. Your thought has made us think.
LONDON
Recent appointments to London's Council of the Order are Lord Napier and Ettrick, and Walter A. Hoadley, who is PRO London District. The previous appointment was Mr. G. Henry Tilling in 1975.
MAJOR INCIDENTS
I hear that a symposium on major incidents organised by John Gerrard, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, at the Police Cadet Training School, Hendon, on January 24, drew an audience of 260 which included SJA's C-in-C, Supt-inChief, Deputy C-in-C, Brigade members and officer 'Specials'.
The programme was in two parts. The first covered preparation and planning by the Police, the London Ambulance Service and the Fire Brigade.
The second was four illustrated talks by senior police officers on the Ealing Train disaster in 1973, the Staines Trident air
AROUND and ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN
crash in 1972, M 1 motorway pile-ups during recent years, and the London Hilton bomb explosion in 1975. In each case the speaker detailed co-ordinating roles of Police, Fire and Ambulances services, and the response of volunteers such as St. John members when their help was required.
'An absorbing programme,' said one who attended; 'we owe a debt of thanks to the Metropolitan Police for organising the symposium.' But the police couldn't of course organise the weather that day; heavy snow fell during the get-together. 'Drive carefully,' was the police farewell.
SAIL OHI
17-year-old Nursing Member Lesley Watts, of Solihull's Peterbrook Combined Division, went on a 2-week Sail Training Association cruise - she was sponsored by London HQ - aboard the schooner Sir Winston Churchill during November.
One of Lesley's first reactions to shipboard life was dreading to have to steer
the schooner. On the third day she took the wheel for an hour while under sail and quickly seemed to grasp the knack of correcting the course before the vessel swung too far either way. She said: 'I enjoyed my hour on the helm, but it was nerve-racking to concentrate on the compass the whole time.'
Later she took the helm two or three times. First, with no wind, she reported: 'I really enjoyed steering now, and learned a lot about sailing.' Then she steered for two hours in a strong wind. Lesley had obviously learned to work with old man wind.
About food on board she said: 'Not one meal was average. They were all excellent.'
NEW SPECIAL CENTRE
The formation in 1975 of a new Special Centre in the British Fire Services Association brings renewed interest in first aid by the BFSA. For many years the Association has organised a tournament camp where competitive fire drills, first aid and other competitions have been held. Recently there has been tme introdl:lction @f new technical training courses for industrial fire officers, as well as basic first aid qualifying and re-examination courses. It is intended to broaden the technical training event further in future by inclusion of breathing apparatus training, while
Nwrsing cadets, who always help at the annual Christmas !Darty for up to 800 rnal'ldicapped chilcdren given by Manchester Rotary, ambush footballer Denis Law for autographs at the 50th party last Christmas (Photo : Manchester Evening News)
BY THE EDITOR
MIND BENDERS
Find the fir s aid word or words in the clue The number of letter s in the answer is given To get you used to the idea I'll give you the first answer.
CILUE: Two girls on your knee (3,4).
ANSWER: PAT -E LLA. O.K?
1. Sounds as though the ottoman contains a cooker (5.2.4)
2. River before m eustache (6)
3. Indian prize? (5)
4. A friend dined, apparently (6)
Answers:- Upside down - are at bottom of page 52. No clileating.
cOJiltinuing with the fire competitions and ambulance competitions. The next training week will be at Pontin's Holiday Village, Prestatyn, from September 25 to October 2 1976.
Chairman and Honorary Chief Surgeon of the Centre is Dr. C. White, of Cadbury ScliJweppes Limited, Birmingham; tlae Secretary is D. G. Varnfield, FIFireE., BFSA, 86 London Road, Leicester.
SEX
How does the new Sex Discrimination Act, which came into force in Britain on January 1, affect SJA? Quite honestly, I don't know. But I'm thiNking abmlt it. 'Furning it over in my mind
But now is the time, girls, if you've got any complaints about the ways fell as - or one particular fella - treats you. Or doesn't treat you. But then maybe we fellas can jump on the bandwagon too, because under the Act we can cornplain, legally, about your misuse or otherwise of us, you know So watch it. Don't thiIPlk the Act's designed solely for you.
However, we'll have the matter clarified for all of us soon I hear London HQ is legal advice and will be issuing a statement'. Sounds grim rather than enlightening, which I thought was the purpose of the Act.
THE CLUB
The annual general meeting of the St. John
Meet the Arthur family, of Winchester City Ambulance and Nursing Divisions They are % A. E. Arthur , SBStJ 43 years service and Supt. Mrs R M Arthur, 15 years (right , behind) % Mrs. R P Green, 2 years, and Cpl. M H. Green (daughter and son-in-law) Cadet (now Sgt.) Stuart Green , 3 years Junior (now cadet) Clive 2 years, and Junior Rachel. 1 year (Mr. and Mrs. Green s children). Three generations - 84 years SJ service. (Photo: Hampshire Chronicle)
Here s SJA Guernsey s Mr. and Mrs T Creber who, since 1971 have given 600 hours to helping the island s Society for Spastics and Physically Hamdicapped. Great job. (Photo: Guernsey Press)
Derbyshire s Glossop Division running a first aid course for local ATC members for their Duke of Edinburgh Award (Right) Div. Supt. Dave Travis and Area Nursing Officer Kate Wilkinson. (Photo; Frederick Paterson, Glossop)
Our Lesley has been deep-water sailing - can you wonder that old man wind co-
Birmingham Post)
Dr. Roger West (left!. SJA County Surgeon Avon, has retired from his job as chief medical adviser to W O & H .D. Wills , Bristol , but will co nt nul:! his Brigade activities. He recently organised a surgeons conference at the new SJA HQ Bristol. His successor at Will's will be Dr. Theo Stock (right) who was an SJA cadet and often lectured SJA in Cheshire & Essex whi le in practice there
House Club will be held in the Priory Room of the club on Wednesday April 28 1976 at 6pm. All members of the club have a right to attend and will be most welcome.
WANTED
I hear that Dr. Friderich von Metzsch, who is a member of the Bavarian Association of the J ohanniterorden, would like to send his
14-year-old daughter Christine to a family with children of her age in England for three to five weeks between July 29 and September 15, either on a paying or exchange basis. Christine is a good rider, plays tennis and the piano.
Dr. Metzsch is a director of a ceramic industry in Munich. Anyone interested should write to him at Holzkirchner Str. 3 Menterschwaige, D 8000 Munchen 90.
A new d ivision in a village near Plymouth - the Lee Moor and District Combined - was started in Jan 75 registered in May 75 , and now has 20 seniors 9 ambulance and 11 nursing cadets, and 12 juniors plus 1 pmbationary cadet. How's that or actionl Cpl. A. Vincel'lt, who s in charge and started the division tells me they've also a President, VicePresident , auditor, treasurer, social secretary , a
looking after nursing - they
a cadet competition team. Marvellous! (Photo: English China Clays Group)
SJASTAMPS
This is one of the special stamps being issued by Guyana on March 29 for the 50th anniversary of St. John Ambulance Guyana. The stamps, in four values, include the SJ A badge and a different collar for each value.
NURSING SCHOOLS
1976 Summer Schools for Future Nurses, held under the auspices of the Nurses Christian Fellowship, are at Romsey, Hants, August 7 to 14; Worthing, Sussex August 14 to 21 ; Bath, August 21 to 28; and Liverpool, July 31 to August 7 They cost from £25 to £28 each. Full details from Summer School s' Registrar , Nurses' Christian Fellowship 277a Ewell Rd, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7AX
BENDERS (answers)
be a witness , to forward (so far as possible through the 'usual channels') to the County Commissioner a detailed report of any incident in which he thinks that the action taken by a Brigade first-aider (other than himself!) may possibly merit official commendation If the Commissioner knowing the full details and in the light of his personal experience, feels that the action, though commendable, was well within the normal course of duty and therefore not within the conditions for the award of a MeFitoriolJs Service Certificate or a Letter of Commendation, he will almost certainly write a personal letter of oongratulation and encouragement to the first-aider concerned; if however he thinks that the conditions may justify official commendation he will forward the full details to the Commissioner-in -C hief for his consideration.
When. someone has rendered first aid in highly oommendable circumstances which involved exceptional difficulties and perhaps some element of personal danger and even gallantry, it is clearly of the utmost importance that suitable recognition should be given as soon as possible - if not quite before the first-aider has washed the blood off his hands and rolled his sleeves down , then at least while the incident is fresh in local memory.
At the same time, it s essential that the incident should be very carefully assessed to ensure (a) that full justice is done to the firstaider's merit, and (b) that the standard of the award is not cheapened. We at Headquarters have evolved a system of assessment which we hope is as fair and as speedy as is reas()nably possible; but Dur task is made more difficult if(a) there is long delay before the recommendation reaches us, and (b) the information received is incomplete. In the latter case, further correspondence is necessary to obtain more details; and if delay has already occurred it may no longer be possible for those details to be obtained with any degree of accuracy - or indeed at all.
As this is a matter in which is part of my personal duty to be very closely involved, it may help to improve communications and speed up the processing of awards if I tell you exactly what happens when a Commissioner's recommendation reaches the Commissioner-in-Chief:
1. The C-in - C reads through the correspondence and then passes it straight to me for attention, sometimes adding a personal note indicating his preliminary assessment of the case.
2. I then make a very careful study of all the information; if any essential details are lacking, I write to the Commissioner and ask him to try and discover them and send them to me as soon as possible.
3. Meanwhile, and without waiting for the Commissioner ' s reply, if the first-aider is
AT RANDOM
(cont. from page 49)
female (adult or cadet) I pass the correspondence to the Superintendent-inChief for her assessement and recommendations ; if the first-aider is a cadet (male or female) I similarly consult the Chief Officer for Cadets. In either case, any further information received from the Commissioner is at once passed on to the Superintendent-in - Chief and/or the C.O.C.
4 . The whole dossier is then forwarded to the Surgeon-in-Chief for his assessment of the quality of the first aid rendered, since we must naturally avoid giving official commendation to a first-aider, no matter how painstaking or wellintentioned, whose actual first aid treatment was unsound.
5. Whenever possible , the circulation of the correspondence within Headquarters is done personally and by hand, so that it is rare for me not to have actually discussed the case with each of the other persons consulted. And in the event of any of us being away from Headquarters for more than a very short time, the consultation is with the appropriate deput y or designated representative.
6. Lastly, all the papers, together with the assessment and recommendations of those who have been consulted, are passed to the Commissioner-in-Chief for his final assessment and decision about what award, if any, shall be made.
T he Commissioner-in-Chief may decide on any of the following, in ascending order of merit:
(a) To ask the Commissioner to write a personal letter of congratuation to the first - aider if the action taken, though commendable, did not quite match up to the conditions for the award of an official Letter of Commendation.
(b) To award a Letter of Commendation, which includes a detailed citation of the first-aider's action.
(c) To award a Meritorious Service Certificate, together with an MSC emb lem to be worn on the right breast in Brigade uniform.
(d) If it is clear that the first-aider endangered his own life in a conspicuous act of gallantry, the Commissioner-inChief may forward a citation through the Chief Commander to the Chancery of the Order, recommending the award by the Grand Prior of a Certificate of Honour or of the Life-Saving Medal of the Order.
(e) In very rare cases where the gallantry was of an exceptionally high order, he may similarly forward a recommendation for the award by Her Majesty of the British Empire Medal for Gallantry.
During 1974 and 1975 a total of 42 St. John awards have been made to Brigade members in the United Kingdom, as follows: 2 Life-Saving Medals of the Order in Silver; 3 Life-Saving Medals of the Order in Bronze; 2 Certificates of Honour; 20 Meritorious Service Certificates; and 15 Letters of Commendation. 34 of these awards were made to adult members (26 A and 8 N) and 8 to cadets (5 A/C and 3 N/C). 12 of them were for flrst aid rendered whi le the members were on duty, and 30 while the y were off duty. 13 awards were concerned with road-traffic accidents, 7 with accidents caused by civil disturbance and terrorism, and the remaining 22 with a variety of other accidents including fire, drowning, cliff climbing and industrial accidents.
During the same period the Association's Meritorious First Aid Certificate was awarded by the Director-General to about 15 Association members who were not members of the Brigade.
In addition to all these, a number of awards were made to St. John members by other Societies such as the Royal Life Saving and the Royal Humane Societies: these awards are a great honour to the recipients and to St. John Ambulance, but those who receive them are thereby ineligible for a St. John award since it is not customary to make two separate awards to the same persOIl for the same incident; nor can I give any total figure for them, for we do not alas always hear about them at Headquarters and any suggested total would inevitably be an under-estimate.
Now I have reached the end of my space for this month without having told you the precise details that are necessary, and others that are helpful if they can be obtained, to enable us to make with the least possible delay a fair and just assessment of each case recommended to the Commissioner-in-Chief for an award. But I promise to give this top priority next month. •
Doing it their vvay
Lancashire, Ribble Area Cadet Exercise, 27 September 1975
A gas-explosion exercise - which would go on regardless of the weather not in uniform because of the conditions without adult supervisionattracted cadets from all divisions in the Ribble Area
THE PLANNING for this event started in February 1975. First, a suitable venue was sought and after much consideration it was decided to approach the Lancashire County Council Fire Brigade Training Centre at Washington Hall, Euxton. To our letter the commandant, Mr. Wylie, replied giving us permission to use the excellent facilities.
Circulars giving details went out to the Cadet Divisions of the area, as well as invitations to County Staff, Chairman of the St. John Council, Commander, and the local Mayor.
Newspapers in the locality were advised of the exercise and the response on the day was totally unexpected: four newspapers sent reporters and photographers. One newspaper in particular, the Ormskirk Advertiser, devoted an entire page to the exercise, with photographs, article and a good 'plug' for recruits in the local areas
It was decided that the cadets would not participate in uniform owing to the conditions in which they would be working. Divisions were also warned that regardless of weather conditions the exercise would take place.
The final figures of cadets participating were:
154 ambulance and nursing cadets.
66 juniors and probationary cadets acting as casualties.
21 superintendents and officers from the divisions.
2 ambulance.
1 mobile first aid post.
1 static first aid post.
ALL 13 Cadet Divisions in the Ribble Area were represented. was then given to how the actual exercise should be conducted. It was decided to let the cadets nm the exercise themselves without adult supervision. To ensure some
form of leadership and control each division appointed a leader, with each leader comtrolling a group of twelve cadets from other divisions in the area, thus giving them experience in working with strangers, as could be the case in a real incident.
The incident itself was that there had been a gas explosion in a busy street, with casualities scattered around an interesting and varied area comprising burnt-out buildings, wrecked cars and rubble - with smoke hombs and thunder flashes for added effect.
To give our casualty simulation people sufficient time to make up the casualties and spread out the exercise, a secondary explosion was arranged three quarters of an hour after the first.
Emergency plans involved the setting up
of a casualty clearing post, ambulance loading point and equipment post. Each one of these was under the watchful eye of an officer.
The original intention was that each group would gain experience in the workings of each of these posts, but unfortunately on the day torrential rain did not allow this.
Communication could have proved difficult as the exercise site was approximately a quarter of a mile from the main assembly hall, so with the approval of our Area Commissioner, we approached our neighbouring Pennine Area and ' two members of the Blackburn Divisions brought their radio equipment. On the day this equipment was invaluable and saved considerable time.
Officers involved in the exercise were
deployed among the casualities taking note of the treatments given, care in handling, etc.
Photographs and a cine film were taken during the course of the afternoon to record the event for future training purposes.
Although the weather was very unkind to us (a downpour of rain coincided with the start of the exercise), the cadets enjoyed themselves immensely. But the exercise added a little much-needed adventure to their training.
Many cadets have since enquired when the next exercise will be, which proves there is a need for this sort of training.
We on Area Staff noticed one or two points which will need watching on our next exercise, which is already in the planning stage
St. John
Ophthalmic Hospital calling
INVESTITURE AND PING-PONG TEAM
AT A ceremony at the hospital in Jerusalem on November 6 1975, the Hospitaller Mr. Keith Lyle invested the following staff members:
Mrs. Patricia Batten, wife of the warden and chief surgeon Keith L. Batten, promoted from Serving Sister to Officer Sister.
Miss Joan Harker, sister-in-charge of the women's ward (and Brigade member) Serving Sister.
Mary Manarious, sister-in-charge outpatIents, Serving Sister.
Mrs. J amileh Shaheen, who works in the hospital laundry, was awarded the Service Medal.
As well as the Hospitaller, at the ceremony froWl Britain were Mrs Jane Lyle amd Mr. N. C. McClintock, the Secretary General.
•
(Above) Mrs Shaheen receives the Service Medal from the Hospitalier (Below) The hospital's tabletennis t eam is really hotting up Here, Talia Hmeidan , a sister in the children s ward , slams a shot at Ahmad Qadi who's an orderly. Keep at it Ops !
T. Bilsborough, Area Supt.(A)
EXCITING BIG BORE
distance of 22 miles covered in about two hours. The lower part of the river is wide and es t uarine in character and the bore as it passes Awre, Newnham , Strand and Rodley , floods s1!lccessive channels and sandbanks which are exposed at low tide. Here at Awre the river is about a mile and a quarter across , and although the bore is only a few inches high as it runs up the channels, the tide eventually rises some 20 feet.
The churchyard at Newnham provides a magnificent view of the river and the bore as it rounds the -great Horseshoe befld below the chu li ch. In making the mm we travelled by car between the best vantage points on the west bank of the river , filming the bore at several places each day . Another grand view of the river is gained from the high cliff at Strand which can just be seen in the distance from Newlilham Churchyard.
One -to-Qne Day
A N EW CONCEPT IN WELFARE
by Ethel E. Lytham, CSO (Welfare) Essex
PEOPLE in long-stay hospitals for the mentally handicapped are often lonely and isolated , and their problems cannot be solved through statutory provisions alone, no matter how generous and forward looking such recommendations may be. Their outstanding need is contact with ordinary people and the chance to develop their potential to lead meaningful lives as far as the y are able.
March is the time to see this tidal phenomenon
This article bas ed on the script of a film made for the N at i onal Institute of Oc eanography, is reprinted from the Year Book of the Council of the Order for Somerset , edited by Mrs. Dorothy Bing hamHall.
T H E SE
VER N BORE is the best known a nd large st of the tid a l bores which de velop in the rivers of Great Britain. It occurs about 260 times a year around the times of the greatest tides , the Spring Tides , and of these the largest are generally the equinox ial tides of March and September. The bore is the front of the tidal wave which is amplified as it sweeps up the Bristol Channel and th e long narrowing estuary of the Severn. A quite delicate , and poorl y understood balance of complex effects , including funnelling , tidal range , river speed , friction and the slope of the river bed, appear to be necessary for the fO li matio m of a t idaJl bore. In the Severn tfue size of a particular bore is greatly influencecl by the actual tidal range , the depth of water in the river and the prevailing winds in the Western Approaches and in the Bristol Channel.
The film was made from a combination of material collected from the morning bores on three consecutive days. None of t he bores wa s exceptionally large.
We follow the bore as it progresses from Awre to the Weir above Gloucester a
Between iN ewnham and Rodley the bore moves forward at about 9 miles an hour. The corrugations on the sands exposed at low water at Rodley indicate the large current s experienced as the tide flows in and out. The river fills only a channel at the far side of the sands.
Abc)Ve Rodley the river proper begins and the Severn is confined and fills the space bet ween high banks on ei t her side. The Denny , Minsterworth, Stonebench and Parting are the most popular viewing points. At Minsterworth the tides are recorded by a gauge owned and operated by the Severn River Authority. The largest bores may be as high as nine feet in the centre of the river , but four feet is considered good. At the Denny the bore travels at abOlat 12 miles an hOUir and it breaks in a most spectacular way as it approaches the bend. Above the Denny we followed the progress of the bore aboard the Stoneboat 'Reparian of the Severn River Authority, riding the crest for some distance past Stonebench before the leading waves of the bore outpaced us.
At Parting the bore breaks against the bank between the joining rivers and divides, part of the wave moving up the minor towards Gloucester and the main wave continuing up the left channel under the bridges at Over and Maisemore to the Weir which after a confused assualt, is drowned A wave travels even further up the river but by now the bore has spent much of its energy and, although a rise can sometimes be detected as far up the river as Tewkesbury, the sudden and dramatic rise in level associated with the bore in the lower reaches of the Severn is seldom seen.
And now we return down -river past our vantage points at the Parting and from the Stoneboat, at the Denny Rodley, Strand Cliff and Newnham, to await the arrival of the first waves of the bore in the early rooming lighlt at Awre, and leave the bore to announce its own presence and tio tell its own tale.
In this situation volunteers can provide the key to living rather than existing. 'One-toone day is designed to do this by providing a completely new form of contact between the community and the residents of the hospital.
Instead of staging a static event for the public , this new concept extends a personal invitation to anyone to participate by spending a day with an inmate of the hospital.
Bridge Hospital Witham , which has 340 men , women and children in care, needed one volunteer for each mentally handicapped person for cne special day of shared enjoyment activity and amusement. Some months ago as SJA County Welfare Officer, I was approached regarding participation in a one-to-one day , the hospital having been selected as one of the twelve or so in the country to participate in this new approach to mental care. This was anew departure in welfare work ; and accepting the challenge I undertook that a minimum of flfty of our members would participate. The main types of assistance needed were Personal Befrienders. This involved sharing the day with a resident and needed uninhibited people 0f both sexes and of all ages It was decided that older cadets could volunteer for this work.
Special Assistance: this meant working on the wards where the staff needed assistance to dress wash and feed heavily handicapped or multiple handicapped residents. This work was reserved to members who were professionally trained or had experience of this type of patient.
General Help and Activity Operators; to assemble stalls provide muscle power at loading points for tractor rides pony treks , tricycle rides and so on. Particularly suitable for husk y young cadets , we thought. With this nucleus of help from the Brigade, the enterprise was embarked upon by the professional organiser of voluntary services employed by the hospital service to seek the help of a further 200 volunteers. The Witham Combined Division entered into the
effort whole heartedly and spent many hours making dozens of paper hats, flags and windmills for the patients.
On the day, by 9am St. John members and cadets were in the forefront of the volunteers washing and dressing patients, erecting stalls and generally preparing for the ceremonial opening at 10.30am. The opening procession, led by the Haverettes Girls' Band, brought our flrst-aid unit into action when one of the officials collapsed - having a heart condition and ignoring nature's warning signaJs to take it easy. However, quick transport by our Land-rover to the mobile unit afld a doctor in attendance, all turned out well.
Our members with their patient friends took part in all the fun of the fete; riding dual-seated tricycles, trampolining, following an adventure trail, trying their luck and skills at games and sideshows. It was a sight to see our nursing members - hats and alltwisting and jitterbugging with their patients to a rock group , and cheered by aJI and sundry.
In the evening we took our charges back to their wards for tea. I shared a wonderful friend with a cadet colleague - who, now a young lady, was a junior in my cadet division some years ago . Charlie was deaf and dumb, and as we left him he put his head shyly on each of our shoulders and kissed us on the cheek. 'What a lovely way to say thank you , said cadet Judith.
The staff had prepared a marvellous meal, and then off we went to the disco, helpers and patients all swinging. One of the highlights of the evening, the 'Bridge Hospital Can-Can' , was spontaneously performed by some of our cadets to the delight of everyone.
One-to-One day was a new venture undertaken by 53 members and cadets who knew not what might be asked of them, but in Brigade tradition they were prepared for anything.
I must quote from a letter received later from the hospital:-
'Many complimentary remarks have been made to me about the Brigade, and I think you will be pleased to hear one comment in particular from a volunteer who wrote: 1 really think the St. John Ambulance gi;ls and boys were first rate. I would like to know where my daughter could join, and also myself.' Visitors, residents and staff alike echo this sentiment. We all think the St. John Ambulance Brigade is the greatest. '
From Strand Cliff. In this area the Bore floods successive channels and sandbanks which are exposed at low tide, and although only a few im hes high as it runs up these channels it eventually rises some 20 feet
AMBULANCES
Hints and tips when buying
new and secondhand vehicles
MANY St. John ambulances are bought new from a specialist coachbuilder, when the vehicle is designed entirely to the speeification required.
When ordering a new ambulance -a costly business nowadays the specification should be considered very carefully and the advice of the coachbuilder sought on every latest development, modifications, etc. He'll be only too happy to make sure that you his customer gets the best available for the money. The colour scheme for Brigade ambulances varies considerably, but whatever colours are used careful thought should be given to identification of the vehicle as a St. John ambulance. It is usual (and preferable) for a 9-inch insignia to be used on the cab and rear doors. These can be applied either by transfers, which should then be varnished over to protect them from the weather, or signwritten by the coachbuilder, which is more durable but also more expensive. Many 'extras' can be supplied and fitted by the coachbuilder; and it is far better and often cheaper in the long run to have such equipment fitted during building. The result is far more satisfactory than trying to add them later, while some accessories, such as piped oxygen for instance, can be fitted satisfactorily only during building. Naturally a budget usually has to be adhered to and this may well be the deciding factor in the choice of chassis. Popular chassis for ambulances are supplied by Bedford, Ford and BMC. The first decision to take before ordering a new ambulance is the size of vehicle required. For much of St. John work the CF Bedford or Ford Transit chassis is ideal, as they are relatively compact in size, have small and reasonably
econontical engines, and are straightforward to maintain. But some St. John units prefer or need the bigger J 1 Bedford or 3 litre BMC, larger vehicles which of course are not so manoeuvrable , are heavier on fuel but will stand rougher usage. Another which affects choice of vehicle is availability of a main dealer in the town. Having decided to order a new ambulance don't expect it to arrive next week or month. It takes considerable time to obtain a chassis and to complete the coach building. The whole project can take at least 18 months to delivery, which gives plenty of time to meet the coach builder and resolve the innumerable problems.
For economy, many St. John units buy secondhand vehicles from local authorities or the Ministry of Defence. They are bought either by auction or by tender. But some authorities allow St. John units a privileged first cfuoice of vehicles and the price is negotiated. So make plenty of enquiries locally if you're in the market for a secondhand vehicle.
Buying secondhand can be a great saving but it can also mean a great headache if you're not fully aware of the drawbacks. For instance, many vehicles available for release fFom local authorities have obsolete chassis, which means that although spares are available now they will become increasingly scarce as the vehicle becomes older and is more in need of replacement parts. It must also be remembered that local authorities sell vehicles when they are considered past their useful life, so they need considerable refurbishing. Be prepared to put much work into a secondhand vehicle before it goes out on a duty. Local authorities vary in their views on the efficient life of a vehicle. One I
by BRIAN ROCKELL
know of releases vehicles at 75 ,000 miles while an adjacent authority gets 200 ,000 miles out of theirs!
But assuming a basically sound vehicle is bought (after being checked by a mechanic) a thorough examination should be carried out in addition to the full service which is given as a matter of course (dealt with later).
Particular points of attention are:
1 Brakes - which should have rubb€l seals , hoses and brake fluid replaced regardless of their oondition.
2. All worn pedal rubbers and damaged floor mats should be replaced (A foot can '!asily trip on torn mats).
3. All rust should be treated An ambulance is particularly prone to rusting 01 the cab floor, especially when the mats are worn through.
4. Wear will have weakened door hinges , rear-door catches , hinges and window mechanisms. Any faulty components should be replaced.
5 The stretcher mechanism is liable to damage. All parts should be carefully checked.
6. The body will probably need respraying. The local autho Fity will have deleted their crest, which can be made good with a complete res.pray .
7. Heavy usage will have taken its toll on springs, shock absorbers and rubber mounting bushes - all should be examined with great care. Many secondhand ambulances have a pronoulilced list to one side due to weak springs.
8. A comfortable and smoother ride is dependent on a taut transntission system and
the gears should not 'crunch (indicating faulty syncromesh). There should be no play in the flexible couplings of the propshaft.
9. Heavy wear (and drivers!) will have affected the driver's seat. It may have split l!lpholstery, a cracked frame or have worked loose from the floor.
10. Electrical wiring may have corroded, resulting in loose connections, dim and intermittent lighting. All electrical connections should be inspected, cleaned and re-assembled.
11. All rubber hoses and the fan-belt shol!lld be replaced with new parts as a matter of course.
TQ sum up: local authority vehicles will have had very heavy usage over many
Ambulance builders
Dormobile Ltd, Tile Kiln Lane , F olkestone , Kent.
thousands of miles and only by stripping back to 'nuts and bolts ' can it be certain that such a vehicle is sound and road worthy to begin a second life. At present , the Health Authorities are economising and vehicles are likely to be older before they are released from service
Provided that this detailed examination of a secondhand vehicle is undertaken it is possible to save £3 ,000 on the equivalent new vehicle. Members should be encouraged to lend a hand on general refurbishing but the essential checks should not be skimped or left to anyone who has little mechanical knowledge. By using voluntary labour and concessions obtained from local companies it should be possible to put into service an
N. Hanlon (Ireland) Ltd, Dublin Road Longford Eire.
Herbert Lomas Ltd, Handford , Wilmslow, Cheshire.
Pilcher-Greene Ltd, Victoria Road Burgess Hill , Sussex
A vehicle for well under £ 1,000. The purchase price from the local authority will vary considerably. A very old vehicle (which for the reasons given is not necessarily a good buy) could cost as little as £50 , but a secondhand vehicle in good condition , complete with all equipment , could cost as much as £700. Naturally reconditioning of the cheapest vehicle - even if it were worthwhile - would cost several hundred pounds yet the more expensive vehicle would be a better proposition as the replacement costs would be ntinimal.
A secondhand vehicle with many years of wear will never be as reliable as a new vehicle , which should be borne in mind if its main use is to be as a front -line vehicle.
(Above) A 9 inch insignia applied to a c ab door - shown here with red/ orange scotchcal and
(Above) A Bedford CF in the London Ambulance Service very
The M6lrris LD, for which spares are becoming increasingly scarce Many LDs are still being sold by local authorities
A full y reconditioned vehicle total cost uneler £800
GO-GETTERS
from R. J. Horne, AIM i/c High Barnet Cadets
We hear so much lately about divisions in urgent need of funds, and I often wonder just how much those divisions concerned try to help themselves. Here in Ely recently there was a Reed to start another Cadet Unit and the problem of money raised its head, but instead of crying about it and doing nothing we tried to find ways and means of raising money.
I got in touch with two organisations advertising in the Review; the Reader's Digest Community Services Programme and we were able to sell records and books; and Nestles Chocolate who have an excellent fund raising bar of chocolate which gives something like £8.50p for every boxes sold (24 bars to a box). We soon found that we had over £50 in funds.
Having the money we now needed equipment, some of which was bought from HQ, ie. books, but with the price of triangular bandages at 35p each we found that we could not afford these so we bought the material at 40p a yard and are making our own, thus saving something like 15p a bandage. A future fund-raising effort is a jumble sale and then a stall at the local market, from where any profit made, after a deduction of £2, will be paid into the unit's funds.
Of course, there is some resistance here in the town to this sort of idea. In fact the thought that a new unit with 16 young people on its books plus a few adults who are willing to help by opening their homes for fund raising ideas can achieve so much in only a few months has made me an outcast in the Adult Division. However, we intend to carryon, regardless
I hope that this letter will be published, as it may give some divisions encouragement to raise funds regardless of what is thought by some older and senior members, who should give encouragement instead of hindrance.
Ely, Cambs. R. J. Horne
NEW JACKETS AND from W. J. Roberts, Div. Officer
Our Ambulance Cadet Division has just received its first issue of the new-style uniform and I must say that I'm very impressed by the quality of the jacket.
In the interests of economy, I wonder if other Brigade officers/members, like myself, would like Dress Regulations to be changed so that such a jacket could be issued for adults for nonceremonial use such as public duties, etc?
READERS VIEWS
Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundations Although readers may sign published letters with a pen· name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.
If it is costing me time to sell and deliver 15 copies, the editor ana the Review management committee must be sper.lding a lot of (valuable) time discussing how to promote readers through publicity, etc. Mr. Street suggested making it obligatory to take the Review , when at least the editor would not have to worry from one issue to the next about circulation.
The present system of trying to get the Review round to the membership seems wasteful, and although I suppose subscribing to a magazine has always been on a voluntary basis, I feel that the presenl problems and financial aspects make it essential that we adopt some sort of system that Mr. Street suggests.
I am not sure it requires one copy of the Review for every member of a division, but I think that every division should be issued with a l least three copies paid for from increased per-capita payments tha i most divisions pay to County HQ annually.
We then have the problem of the unattached Area/County staff doctors, auxiliaries, Associated members, etc. Could not the co operation of commissioners and county directors be obtained for them to make a special point of informing everyone that the Review i! important reading to all new people appointed to their staff.
A SJA SOUTH BUCKS' training day during the autumn involved 200 f:om the RAF, Brigade and Assocla.tlOn, Casl!lallties Union, WR VS and the polIce. Held at RAF Halton and organised by a 'oint RAF Medical Branch/St. John J planning group, the trammg was In two distinct paliits.
Part 1: [n the morning 80 Association and Brigade members, ranging from 12-year-old cadets to 60-year-old ambulance members, spent a half-hour on each of five out of six subject's offered on adventure and rescue first aid in a wooded area.
The subjects were:
I. Stretcher work. Use of the Furley, Paragl!larrd, Bofers and German lightweight folding stretchers. The importance of rope lashing to a Furley stretcher. Carrying patients through dense woods and over rough ground using all types of stretchers.
2. Use of St. John radio communication network and sending messages.
3. Knowledge of correct search procedure in shrub and woodland.
4. Use of the chair knot for extracting casualties from heights.
5. Working in cramped and dark tunnels with badly injured patients.
6. Correct lifting techniques and general handling and positioning of casualties. This practical session was carried out with the aid of the South Bucks Area training team, Area staff and some officers from Berkshire. The work took until 12.30 to complete, when the first-aiders tucked into their packed lunches and hot drink supplied by the local WR VS.
Pulling together ata major incident
taken to RAF Halton hospital, where the staff were unaware of the impending 'disaster'. St. John members knew of the crash, but no details such as IQcation, numbers involved, severity, etc. They were to carry out their normal assembly and disaster procedure.
By 13.30' over 100 first-aiders had assembled with ten ambulances at a checkpoint given as a six figure map reference.
The first-aiders were sorted into crews by using their call -out cards, which are carried by all SJA Bucks' adult personnel and give details of experience, specialist training, name, division, rank and religion. At 1337 a message was phoned through as follows; 'A four-engined passenger plane has crashed at Halton airfield with 41 passengers and crew.
still aboard, the remainder strewn over a 300 sq yd area which included streams, a copse and a show jumping area. These casualties, 38 RAF personnel and eight casualty makeup experts, were made-up with authentic aviation injuries suggested by the RAF hospital staff. Of the 46, eight were found to be already 'dead' by the Area Surgeon. The remainder were retrieved, treated and transported to the waiting ambulances by the teams under a St. John liaison officer and a County Ambulance Service training officer (who is also a BRCS training officer). Within 1 Y2 hours all the casualties had been efficiently despatched. Only the scale of their task delayed the teams' work at first, but this was soon compensated for. At the hospital it was a normal Sunday afternoon visiting time - until the ambulances arrived. Then everyone was pressed into dealing with the emergency, including kitchen staff. The hospital staff, supplemented by trained SJ nursing members, treated the exercise with marvellous realism, disposing of casualties to X-ray, wards and the mortuary.
By 1530, the first-aid crews had stood down and reassembled at the training site for a welcoming 'cuppa' and sandwiches from the WRVS.
These jackets could be worn (and would look smart) with charcoal grey trousers and beret. The No. 1 regulation uniform would then be used only for ceremonials and so increase the life of a uniform which costs up to £40. The jacket costs £8 to £9. After all, the ladies have two uniforms ... Caernarvon
REVIEW READERSHIP
from J. E. Smith, ASO
W. J. Roberts
I was about to write myself on the same subject when I read with interest Mr. Street's letter (Review, Dec.) on the new price of the Review.
As Mr. Street says it is a valuable magazine to us. I do not know how members manage without it, as in many cases it is the only method of finding out how the 'other half live'.
I do not know of anyone in St. John who is in any way highly critical of the Review, and the only reason I can think why more members do not subscribe to it is that they never quite get around to it.
I know of one doctor who buys odd copies whenever they are ON sale at Area events but he never seems to place a regular order.
I know how it is. I order 15 copies a month for various people, and am quite sure that they would not keep up their orders if I didn't do it for them. But now the exercise is becoming expensive for me, trying to keep track of who has paid me, not forgetting the time I spend on the subject, time that could be put to other uses.
Each month there is a 'plug' [n the Review for increasea membership, but this cry does not reach enough of the members. Ana I have not been to an Area/County or national event when the plea fo r the Review has been put over to the audience by a senior or superior officer.
Many organisations and societies have a membership subscription that includes their journal; they do not ask if the member wants it
St. John people are workers, as we all know, but they are very laz y at administration. Officers just never seem to pass information on from County Orders/Brigade Circulars to the members. Yet the same people complained of lack of information when they were in the ranks, You will never get over the problem of Review readership withoul some sort of (light-hearted) compulsion.
Carryon the good work. Some of us appreciate it.
Betchworth
NOT HOW IT'S WRIT
from Martin M. Ennis, AIM
Part 2: In the afternoon, this utilised the morriing's training with a major disaster exercise involving an RAF'Argosy transport plane crash with 46 casualties. The exercise was to culminate with the casualties being
HOME
J. E. Smith
In Around and About (Review, Jan 76) is an excellent article on the career of Danny Molloy, but unfortunately it contains a spelling mistake which jumps out and hits the Swindonian on the head, so to speak. That is, the Royal Air Force Hospital is at Wroughton, nol Rawton as stated, but the phonetic pronunciation is identical.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate yourself and staff for such an interesting and informative jOl!lrnal.
Swindon
Martin M. Ennis
Editor: Sorry all Swindonians. This bog-trotter took it as writ.
A heart-attack victim who was recently broU€lht !;Jack from Fram e by the St. John Aeromedical Service With demands for the service escalating, London HQ Registrar George Woodhill. who has been organising aeromedical flights, is now fully occupied on this work. Laurie Hawes has taken over as HQ Registrar (Photo: Ilford & Redbridge Pictorial)
Severe casualties are expected. Fire broke out on landing but is now out. Send ambulances at three minute intervals.' This was the anticipated call-out and the crews drove off to the scene of the crash.
On arrival they found the Argosy on the edge of the tarmac with some six passengers
Debriefing was at 16.00, when the SJ officers-in-charge and senior RAF doctors were most flattering in their views on the performance. From the organisational point of view, the day was a marvellous event with so many people benefitting from the efforts put into planning. The fact that the firstaiders had just practised much of what they had to do in the afternoon, obviously influenced their performance. But the whole day will obviously influence their confidence in the event of the real thing.
•
Vincent S. Smith Area Training Officer, S. Bucks.
NEWS from SCOTLAND
ENGLISH cadets occasionally make VlSllts to Scotland and Scottish Order members want to act as host to them. So we would very much appreciate if organisers of parties of cadets corning to Scotland would write to Priory Secretary (The Order of St. John, 2 I St. J.ohn's Street, E€linburgh EH8 8DG), who will then put them in touch witl1 members of the Order amd Association ilil the regions in which they intend to stay.
(BeI0w) The Torphichen Committee hands over a mini-bus to the Wallh®use Children's Home. Mrs. Whelahan, matr@ln, aCGepts the keys from Mrs. convemor of the Lotnian Regienal Cowncil's SOG.lal Welfare Committee. The Rev Tom CrichtoPl, chalrmam of the Torphichen Committee, is in the centre and blehind him stands Dr. Thomson chairman of the lo cal St. John AssociatiGm and fund raiser. (PhoW: Lothiam Studio, Linlithgow)
INSTALLATION OF THE PRIOR (Above) Tlile Lord Lyon pFO c laims the nalille ana titles of tlole !'lew Prior (standing). HRH the of Gloucester is seated in the centre and the chanc;:eliOi stands on the right.
(Below) The procession owt of the church, led by H RH the Duke of Gloucester. The Prior is Gln the extreme righ t. (Photos : Jack Fisher, Edinburgh)
TRENDS
New a,eds fer old Wfuen the time comes for hospitals to review tine st ate of thei F rus t ed a Fl d saggimg beds, tfuey are faced witm a choice - to buy Flew omes or renovate the 01d. And at about half true C0St of new beds, many mospitals are noW tl!1mi mg to renovati0n.
Mr. Stam T a yllor, general manager of Mas tierJileace Products Ltd, which specialises in refnl ew atio lil ame the manufacture of new beds, explained: 'The old-s t yle hospital beds do not wear out completely, even after 30 or 4® years; they just meed up-grading.
In the last mOlilth alone, Masterpiece, a member of the Setlon Group, have received (')roers fO F the restoration and up-dating of J1ilOlie tlbl alil 1000 beds.
The renovation proeess comsists of striJQlpi Fllg, shot-blasti m,g, re-spriliLging and elilameling the old frame. Then the beds can be converted to modem styled divans by the adclitiC>F1 of wood grained headboards and footb0ards - particularly to give long stay and geriatrie wards a homely atmosphere.
Beds cam also be improved dlllring the renGlvatiolil process by t he addition of a centml lifting wheel for increased mobility and a back -rest frame for patient comfort.
lPrre- Wa r beds were certainly built to last, amd, given timely restoration, they could last as 1('i)li1g again.
To Air Wing
BQ)C Aviatiom, a division of BOC Medishielo based at Harlow, has enrolled its Piper Aztec aircraft with the St. John AmbulanGe Air Wing. The aircraft, which is morrnIaIly used fCDr the express ferrying of Boe people and equipment, will now be available t@ the Air Wing for emergency tralilsJDortation of transplant kid n eys , blood plas OOil a and medi.cal equipment.
BOC Medishield's pilot , Phil Jeffery, aged 35 , will continue to fly the aircraft. A second pilot, Peter Snell, 28 , will also be available as a standby.
The aircraft is normally based ' at London's Stansted Airport.
Wall chart
BOC Medishield have produced a resuscitation wall chart which in four actions very simply demonstrates the 'kiss-of-life'.
The chart, which measures 23% iI'ls by 16 ins, is available in any quantity from Mr. P. Wardell , BOC Medishield Resusciation Division Elizabeth Way, Harlow, Essex, CMI9 5AB.
Posters
With summer not far away, two new colour posters showing common plants which are a potential danger to children if eaten should be useful. The posters , entitled 'Danger, these plants are poisonous' , are produced and available (free) from Dept. PF Sterling Health Products, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 4PH.
SJA launch goes to ship at sea
THE Swedish ore carrier Laponia (24,810 tons gross) radioed for medical help when about 30 miles off Guernsey, during December. (See photo on page 53). The St. John Ambulance launch
Flying Christine II, with Mr. Reuben Martel as coxswain, responded to the call and rushed a doctor to the ship.
Early next morning crew member
Mr. J. M. Nils, a 48-year-old Norwegian, was landed at St. Peter Port Harbour and taken by ambulance to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital A call for help from the ore carrier, which was on her way from Rotterdam to Africa, came to the St. Peter Port Harbour signal station through Crossma, the French rescue coordination centre.
It stated that Mr. Nils had severe stomach pains and was in need of immediate hospital treatment.
With a doctor and St. John Am bulance personnel aboard, the Flying Christine left her base at 11.25 pm for an agreed meeting place with the Laponia.
Meanwhile, the St. John mobile radar unit was set up at Pleinmont. The ore carrier was located by the unit and identified 21 miles south-west of Les Hanois, having covered some nine miles towards Guernsey from the time she called for help
The progress of the Flying Christine, which is fitted with a transponder, was followed by the radar unit, which helped to guide the rescue craft towards the ship.
By 12 .1 6 am the ambulance launch was 7 Y2 miles south-west of Les Hanois and alongside the towering hull of the ore carrier The doctor attended the patient.
The sick seaman was lowered to the Flying Christine in the ship's stretcher, and the journey back to St. Peter Port began. Port was reached at 1.45 am and the seaman was carried ashore by stretcher at the car ramp.
He was taken to hospital for observation and treatment.
Lord He ycock, Prresident of District St. JIDhn Council, accompanied by Laay Heycock, welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Afan at the Order'S first al'llil wal dinner in tine area, at which there were about 30 people Af.so rn the picture are the chairman, Coun. Pawl Zom:ie; treasurer, Mrs. Lyndell Rees; and secretary , Mrs. Betty Jones. (Pliloto: Peter Knowles, Port Talblot)
The master of th€l Laponia thanked the harbour and medicai authorities for their help in the emergency •
BOC Medishield's pilot Phil Jeffery and the company's plane is now availab le tQ SJA s AirWing -
News from Divisions/Centres
OBITUARY
REVIEW CROSSWORD No.3 (76)
(Compiled by W A Potter)
Across:
I. Circle parameters for bones of forearms. (S). 4. Convulsions complicating toxaemia of pregnancy. (9). 9. An instant addendum for a muscle. (7). 10. Subjective indication of disease. (7). 11. Continually scolds lilOrses. (4). 12. Fractured chin giving short measure. (4). 13. Came and left a hump-backed ruminant. (S). 16. Manipulate on sole to reduce tightness. (6) 17. Small tubular projection from caecum. (8) 20. Where the Islets of Langerhans are located (8). 21. Military policeman and his headgear. (3-3). 24. Paradoxically, the uplands of Southern England. (S). 26. Bitter secretion aiding digestion. (4). 27. A group of wards under the charge of a Nursing Officer. (4).29. Heat 27 Across (7). 31. Changed latehes for shoulder-bag. (7). 32. Abnormal presence of air in the subcutaneous tissues. (9). 33. Without suffix additonal to requirements. (S).
Down: I. DetaGhment impairing vision. (7). 2. Suffering from a curiosity that will be fatal? (S.2.4). 3. Result of a brainwave. (4). 4. Relaxing ones efforts rtillieving pain. (6). S. lDespair compl€ttilly. (4.4). 6. Copy 2 x 1001 + 100. (S). 7. Amount of whisky for a small child. (3). 8. Involved a psychological concept. (7). 14. Headgear for the doctor in Canada? (8.3). IS. Look closely at a nobleman. (4). 18. Always severe when initial and final directions are absent. (4). 19. Local death of tissue. (8). 20. The type of skin graft for the neck of a tumour. (7) 22 Bone which may be fractured by sudden, violent contraction of the quadriceps. (7). 23. Mother to strange pals makes part of the blood. (6). 2S. Churlish and uncivil in manner. (5). 28. Hordeolum. (4). 30. Impudence from a facial feature. (3).
BWlsh M edl€G1 Asso c /G{[on Its revIews are also published in the BMA 'information '.
SOCIAL SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE (1975)
Tape/slide presentation in 2 Parts (Price £9.45 each)
Produced in collaboration with Hertfordshire County Council
Distributed by: Camera Talks Ltd. 31 North Row, London WIR 2EN
Part I 35 Trans. Part 2 40 Trans.
Content: This presentation describes the involvement of Soci al Services in the welfare of older people.
Appraisal: The production is an extremely useful exposition of social services available in Local Authority for the infirm elderly person ranging from home helps to residential accommodation ; it includes the Good Neighbour Service, Luncheon Clubs Day Centres WorK Centres, Holiday Schemes and Aids to Daily Living. Strongly recommended.
Audience: Social Workers and Students Welfare Groups , Ol d People's Clubs and all St. John Ambulance personnel.
One of a series of six films of 20 mins. each for 15-year-olds designed to stimulate and inform their thinking on some current issue s in field of health education.
Content: BONE FRACTURES deals with accidents and bone injuf) - some common injuries are shown and first aid treatment given. On the road, the use of seat belts is advocated.
Appraisal: This film suffers from lack of a clearly defined objecti ve, and seems to be an accident prevention film inasmuch as it advocat es strongly the use of seat belts - it also includes reference t o kinetic procedures , but half of the film shows common fractures with X-raj photographs and some treatment.
This criticism apart, it is a well made film that will have speci fic value on St. John training days It will be useful for cadets and cou ld be screened after the first aid lecture on fractures
Audience: Although primarily addressed to young adults it could be used universally.
MAJOR DISASTER - A PLANNED RESPONSE (1975)
16mm: 29 mins: Hire: £6 Purchase: £125
Distributed by: Dept. of Medical Photography , General Hospital, Park Row, Nottingham NG I 6HA.
Content: This film shows that by means of preparation and traini n! the various Services involved in a major disaster co-operate in an organised manner to deal with the situation
Although the film is based on an aircraft crash, services an o personnel involved had not been forewarned - filming on si te, therefore, was unrehearsed.
Appraisal: This is a very good film that shows how essential Serv ices must plan against major disasters; it portrays co -operatiom neoessauj and how speed and efficiency may save lives.
The fact that the film was not made by commercial producers bu by a Hospital department make the excellence of the production even more noteworthy.
This film is strongly re c ommended.
Audience: Mainly essential services such as Police , Ambulance Fire and Hospitals , but would be very useful for St. John training days al sO Industrial Ambulance Centres.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
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Spend your next summer camp in Switzer and! Camptours have chalets for groups from 15 - 57 persons, fully equipped for selfcatering in the Bernese Oberland and by Lake Lucerne , two of the rmost beautiful regions in this land of deep blue lakes, pine fGrests, I!J SA pastl!Jres and snow-capped mountains. A 12 - day inclusive tour can cost less than £50 00 for adults with big reductions for under21 s. It's easy to run your own summer camp in Switzerland, with a litt e help from Camptours Send for our 1976 brochure to Camptours, Devon House, High Street, Cranleigh, Surrey Tel: 04@66 3027
2 " x 2 " SLIDE SETS and 35mm FILMSTRIPS PEARS ANATOMY' Identified illustrations in 36 B/W slides with Notes Dur Price £2 25p. 35mm Filmstrip of same £1 25p 'THE HUMAN SKELETON 45 Colour slides with Notes £ 1.85p. 35mm Filmstrip £ 1.25p Absolutely ideal for instruction, etc Also superb range of other 2 " x 2" ColGur slides World Travel. Space exploration , Ancient histori cal , Art, etc Also Projectors Lamps, Stands, Screens and finest ever range Qf Gel'luine Sc;:reen materials 7p Stamp essential for Full 30 Page Lists SJR. The Clearvue Projection Co 92 Stroud Green Road London N.4
MOORFIELDS EYE HOSPITAL City Road, London, EC1V 2PD
AUDIO- VISUAL PACKAGE DEAL
The Camera Talks Package Deal comes fully equipped with a mini projector, cassette replay unit, twelve filmstrips (of your own choice) with corresponding taped commentaries and explanatory notes; all packaged into a smart case. Below is a list of relevant subjects. Please mark the programmes of interest to you, with 0 or without o the Package Deal.
At Random , by Watkin W Williams p.73
St. John Ahoy! p.74
Emergency Aid launched p.76
Creative employment for the handicapped p.77
Order Investiture Feb 26 p.78
Around and About, by the Editor p.80
A bit old fashoined but by M.v. Moring p 84
Early Orcfer relic p.87
Ambulances, final part , by Brian Rockell p.88
Readers Views p
News
Police
News
Beach
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please fill in YOLJr name and address in the space below.
Thank you for your support.
T@: K. H. gillingham, CStJ, 80 C@yft Crescent, Kifilgswinford, Wes t M idliilne!s,' IJY6 !9 RL.
Pleiilse reserve (no ) centeniilry crystal goblet/ s at special precentenary price of £8.50 plus post and packing or £9.75 in 1977.
Name (capitals, please)
Adeiress ; ,
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
LAST MONTH, when discussing the various forms of Commendation and Award which may be granted by the Commissioner-in-Chief to Brigade members in recognition of Meritorious Service, I promised to follow this up by giving you a list of the details which should accompany Commissioners' recommendations. Since these recommendations may be initiated by anyone who is aware of the facts and wishes to forward them through their Commissioner, it's very important. that the necessary details should be as widely known a-s possible, so that if the Commissioner cons iders that the case merits submission to the Commissioner-in-Chief he can do 80 without incurring further delay in finding out and forwarding the essential facts.
As each case inevitably differs in many ways from every other case, it's unfortunately impossible to g'ive a perfect blueprint of the information required; but I think it's safe to say that the following details, if at all appropri?te to the case , are essential:
1. The first-aider's surname and initials (or other names), Brigade rank and Division (or Corps or Area in the case of staff officers). The age and experience of the first -aide r are sometimes relevant.
2. The date, time of day and any other relevant details (eg weather) of the incident.
3. A short factual account of how the incident occurred and of how and at what stage the first -aider happened to be involved in it or to come across it.
4. The number of casualties and the nature of the injuries sustained by each. It may also be useful to know their sex and approximate age.
S. Details of what the first-aider did from the moment of arrival, including precise details of the actual first aid rendered. And when I say 'precise', I really do mean it; statements such as 'carried out the correct treatment for haemorrhage, or asphyxia, or whatever' are inadequate. What did the first-aider actually DO? If more than one first-aider was involved, any available information about what action was taken by each may be useful.
6. Any other relevant information, eg what other helpers were available, . any particularly difficult or dangerous conditions under which the first-aider was working, andwhat arrangements were made for the disposal of the casualties.
StJohn Ahoy!
THE FIRST ALL-SJA CREW PUTS TO SEA UNDER SAllAS THEY DID
IN THE PAST
THE EXCITEMENT of the 'Bon Voyage party at Portsmouth SJA headquar1;ers on Sunday, February 29, included some apprehensive laughter. Why? 38 young Brigade members from throughout the UK , who were about to embark on the Sail Training Association's schooner Malcolm Miller for the first SJ A sail training cruise , were being given a taste of things to come · they were watching a film of the schooner as she crashed her way through heavy seas. That could be their lot as from tomorrow.
But as the Chief Commander Sir Maurice Dorman, who had come down to see them off on this new venture, pointed out: 'You are re-enacting an old feature of St. John.' A St. J ohnflag had been presented to the STA to fly whenever a St. John crew manned their schooners, so the Malcolm Miller would sail the next day 'just as the galleons from Malta had set sail so long ago under the same 8· pointed white cross'.
The ST A's schooner director, Capt. Bromley-Martin RN (Rtd) , expressed the Association's 'pleasure and honour for our ship to be manned by St. John'.
This ST A cruise for young SJ A members, the first devoted entirely to one organisation , is the development of an idea for further adventure and leadership training by Major General Desmond Gordon the Commissioner-in -Chief.
AfteF lunch , the party joined the fine 3masted schooner at her Gosport moorings and were kitted out in Malcolm Miller sweaters ready for work. For there will be lit Vle for our lads during the fortnight, wlulich will probably (depending on Old Man Wind) take them across Channel to French ports and the Channel Islands. Labour saving devices are no part of sail trainingrigging, sheets and sails are labour consuming, which is all part of the fun. But with central-heating below decks, good food arnd the companionship which only shipboard life fosters, the fresh air and exercise of being at sea under sail should be an experience of a lifetime.
In June there will be an all-girl St. John ST A cruise It looks as though the 8 - pointed white cross is going to be a familiar sight on the seas around Britain. The galleons sail again.
The crew
These are the crew-members of the first SJ cruise. Is someone from your County taking to sail?
GeotTrey Ginger, Hertfordshire
Robert Sellers, Humberside. Bernard Minto, Anthony Devlin, Cleveland.
Paul F. Kelly, Derbyshire.
Police Cadet Kevin DutTy , Lancashire.
Mark Sage, Essex
Paul Mallard, Northamptonshire.
Christopher Bichard , Guernsey. Alan Dempsey, Merseyside
The Malcolm Miller alongside at Gosport waiting for her St. John crew (below), who came from all over Britain, to meet at the SJA Portsmouth HQ before ge>ing on board.
The Malcolm Mill e r puts to sea (PhotG : A. BromleyMartin, Bosham)
The Chief Commander watches Ian Marguet , of Bromborough Eastham & Port Sunlight Division, hoist the St John flag aboard the Malcolm Miller
Smith , Bedford.
Northumbria.
Emergencv aid launched
AT LONDON PRESS CONFERENCE
LONDON reporters , photographers , editor s and journalists turned out in force on the morning of February 18 to help launch the new St. John Emergency Aid Campaign, Among the celebrities helping to pr o mote the project are Marjorie Proops Hugmie Green, newscaster Richard Baker and TV personality Shaw Taylor of ' Police 5' an d Dri ve In' , At the St. John s Gate press conference there was glamour - ex-Miss World Eva Rueber Staier - and other celebrity guest s included Rupert Davies (of TV Maigret fame) and 'Little Diddy David Hamilton, the well known disc-jockey and TV announcer , who paid a flying visit between broadcasts , and later gave St. John and Emergency Aid top billing in his afternoon radio show,
The interest of the 90 or so guests frompress, radio and television was quickl y captured by the Chief Commander 's introductory remarks in which he stressed the importance of first aid knowledge for
everyone within our community And the ed for the basis of this knowledge to be ne , I 'k offered om the widest scale 10 a,slmp. e, qUlc amcl efftiG:ient form - whIch IS what Emergency Aid is all about.
The Director-General outlined the project emphasising tme four basic principles of lifesaving procedures - or the A-B - C of Emergency Aid, in which , he pointed out, the 'D' heads the list:
Deal with Danger then
A. Airw.ays majntenance
g, Bleeding establishment and - control
C. Consciousness - care and positioning of the unconscious
The demonstrations of resuscitation , bleeding control and recovery position by instructors Jimmy and Bill Oliver called for several 'encores', But the real stir was created when the 'casualty lost his panfs on emerging from a realistically portrayed 'heart attack' (Regret no photo) ,
The Emergency Aid Campaign seems to have got off to a good start throughout the country , Let s hope we can keep up the
Creative employment for the handicapped in Australia
AUSTRALIAN-developed techniques for the training and gainful employment of people suffering from cerebral palsy have been so successful that they are being adopted by other countries In addition spinoff products are selling in their own right. The techniques are based on the premise that by providing useful paid employment for even the most heavily-handicapped including spastics, worthwhile physical and mental rehabilitation can be achieved. People amicted with cerebral palsy usually have suffered from an absence or loss of oxygen to the brain before, during or immediately after birth. The result is a loss of muscular control. In Sydney , the Spastic Centre of New South Wales has been caring for and treatin g people suffering from cerebral palsy for nearly 30 years. In 1961, as part of its programme to improve the treatment of the disabled, the centre established a subsidiary organisation, Centre Industries - an industrial undertaking providing a normal work environmemt in which people suffering from cerelDral palsy playa major part. The project has been so successful that the organisation's production - in the highly competitive telecommunication field - has increased more than tenfold and a sizeable export trade has been developed
The general manager of Centre Industries, Mr. B. C. Hume, said: 'Our flourishing business - which provides real, not token employment for spastics and other CPs in competition with long established
commercial enterprises - is unique in the world.
Its philosoph y relie s on using a disabled per s on s intelligence rather than trying to match muscle for muscle against other · workers in straight competition for jobs No fa vours or preferences are asked only an equal opportunit y at the work bench or office desk
Similarly our organisation tenders for business on the open market and _ has w on outstanding successes.
When Centre Industries -began operations , there was a staff of 80 , with a re venue of about £254,000 a year. Today there is a staff of 850 people , of whom almost one third are disabled but work side -by-side with ablebodied employees Revenue is in excess of £2 825 ,000
Within the organisation man y posit ions are a v ailable to the disabled from relativel y simple functions to complex technical operations These duties lnclude drilling pres s operatin g, plastic moulding millin g, lathe operating spra y -painting, inspection and qualit y control , wiring and testing.
Spastics and other cerebral palsied are also emplo y ed in a variety of office duties including switchboard operating clerical duties such a s ledger machine operating , typing , wage calculating , labour analysis , costing accountin g and purchasing. The centre s computer is totally staffed by disabled workers. ·
Centre Industrie s manufactures switching equipment and rela y sets for exchanges oper a ted b y the Australian Post Office, toge t her with sophisticated traffic recording and testing units
The operation achieved a major export success w ith th e suppl y to the United States an d Canada of 13 milliQn diodes - used in el e ctronic circuit s for telephone exchan g e equipm e nt, t e lev i s ion equipment and t ransisto r r a di os. Recentl y, th e compan y has wo n an o r d er w orth m o re than £ V2 million fo r 2 0 milli o n diode s , The s ucces s o f Centre Industries as a business e nterprise and a world leader in the trainin g and rehabilitation of the cerebral pal s ied ha s recei ved international praise. In Japan model factories based on Centre Indus rie s methods techniques and philosophies a re being estab lished. The Japanese Society for t he Rehabilitation of th e Disabled has described Centre Industries a s 'the be s in t he world in the field of vocational rehabilitation Mr. Hume summed up: We are extremel y pleased about the financial s uccess of Centre Indust r iesbut o ur chief g ratification comes from the fact that b y g iving w orthwhile creati ve emplo y ment to h a ndic a pped people we are g i v ing them a satisfy ing degree o f independence and a sense of achievement in an interestin g workpla c e where there is no need for them to be segregated from he n o rmal communit y.'
The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor of London, Sir Lindsay Ring GBE, DSc being invested as Knight of Grace by Lord Caccia the Lord Prior Sir Lindsay was appointed an Officer of the Order of St J !D hn irl 1969.
Ro chdale's MP Cyril Smith MBE, who was made a Serving Brother with the Lord Prior after the ceremony. M r Smith t>1as been President of the Roche Ambulance Cadet Division for nearly 20 years and was on the committee hat helped to raise funds for Ro c hdale 's new St John HQ.
ORDER INVESTITURE
With her daughter after the ceremony, Mrs Mary DaykinServing Sister Mrs Daykin , who has work ed at St John's Gate for 34 years helping to keep the Grand Priory spic and span recalled after the investiture in he Grand Priory Church' that night in the blitz when the church was The roof in flames. we never thoUlglilt it could be IJIsed again. But how lovely it s now
KNIGHT OF GRACE Sir Lindsay Ring, GBE JP. Lord Mayor of London.
COMMANDER (Brother)
Conrad M a rshall Joh,n Fisher Swan PhD , MA York Herald of Arm s. (Lo ndon) H e nr y John D arli n gton OBE, DL. (Lancs.)
Lt. -Col. The Hon. Michael George Edwardes, MBE. (London)
Charles Neville Packett, MBE FRSA, FRGS. JP (W. Yorks)
Gerald Richard Rodd a. (Cornwall)
Michael Arthur Weller MB BS, LRCP, FRCGP. (Essex)
COMMANDER (Sister)
Mary Elizabeth, Miss D ea n (C heshire )
Joyce Winifred, Mrs. Horsey (Dorset)
Thelma Evelyn, Mi ss Whitbread ( Beds .)
Veren a, Miss Yandle, BA (Somerset)
Sara Jane, Mi ss Bi s hop, SRN ( Notts.)
Gillian. Mrs. Daw so n (Jersey)
Sarah Lucinda Margaret, Mrs. Armitage SRN. (Leics.)
OFFICER (Brother)
Leslie Percy Rider (Isle of Wight)
Edward Knight (West Midlands)
Robert Paul Boyes QPM (York)
John Arthur West (Berks.)
Reginald Alan Fielding (Cheshire)
Herbert Franks (Derby)
Ralph George Woodruffe (Slough)
John Edward Crook (Liverpool)
Edward Wallace Fus za rd (Stockton o n Tees)
Major Jack Clamp Nixon (Nuneaton)
Rowland Brazier Possee (Essex)
Ronald Walter Studer (Nth. Humberside)
George Durrant (Dorset)
John Richard Ainley Lucka s MB, Ch.B. (Manchester)
Frederick Charles Davey (Kent)
Wilfred Thomas Arnfield (Nuneaton)
Edgar John Selley (GI05.)
John Holmes (Merseyside)
George Wilfred Brooks (Tyne & Wear)
John William Hewitt (Sheffield)
Ronald Henry Bishop ( Suffolk)
John Charles Wood (Staffs .)
Capt. Nicholas Andrew Thorne ( London)
OFFICER (Sister)
Sheila Catmerine, Miss Pl!Ickle, MBE, TO. (London)
Jeam Marie, Lady Humtington - Whiteley JP. (Glos.)
Lily Millicent, Mrs. McKen!1y (Coflilwall)
Emily Elizabeth, Mrs. Bugg (Nortmampton) June, Lady Horlick (Oxon.)
Patricia Betty, Mrs. Harri s SRN (Worcs.)
Molly Mrs. I3aker (Surrey)
Sheila Margaret, Mrs Cato (Beds.)
Marion, Miss Williams (Ashton under Lyme)
Margaret, Mrs. Swinnerton (Manchester)
Eunice Mary Mrs. Pinney SRN SCM (Stratford on Avon)
Winifred Nora Mrs Kingsbury, MB , ChB (Sam,)
Erica Margaret Mrs. Brown SRN SCM (Doncaster)
Mary Jane Miss Howlett (Northampton)
Maud Councell Mrs Rou se (Lo ndon)
SERVING BROTHER
Rev Robert William Warner MA BD. (Manchester)
Hubert Frederick Wilkes (Leominster)
Wilfred Ackroyd (No ttingham)
Sidney Jack Abbott (Essex)
John Douglas Nail (Sheffield)
Raymond John Fowler (Surre y)
Thomas Patrick Brogan (Lancs )
John Henry Atkins, (Sutton on Ashfield)
Frank lellis (Surrey)
Goraon James Moss (Kent)
Roy Marcraft German (Lancs.)
Leonard Alfred Inwood (Surrey)
Ronald Charles Ingrey -Senn , MB, ChB, MRCP DPM, DMJ (Leeds)
Cyril Smith MBE MP. (Lancs.)
Joseph Tanner (London)
Harold Walter Diplock (Kent)
Stanley Wi lkes ARSH, ARIPH (Manchester)
Lewis James Potter (N. Yorks. )
Percival Hazelwood Morgan (Middx.)
Kenneth Robertson Gordon (Stockport)
Leslie Banton Feml (Worcs .)
Trev0r William May, MB, ChB. (Yorks.)
John George Thorndyke (Lancs.)
John Michael Rand (London)
George Milan Hoyle (Hull)
Fred Waterhouse (Stockport)
John Forsdick (Norfolk)
Frank Charles E verett Ferguson (Lancs.)
Franklin Shephard (S. Yorks.)
William Marsden (Manchester)
Cl\arles William Craske (Lincs.)
Reginald o'}rthur Buckingham (London)
AITt,hur Alva Brown LRCP & S. (Manchester)
Leslie Edward George Bessant (Southampton)
John Norman Cook (Kent)
Geo!frey Haley (Lancs.)
Stephen Rodney Smith (Surrey)
John Edwin Crow (Leeds)
Charles Pickering (Manchester)
Samuel Corney (Lincs.)
John Marriot Dennis (Humberside)
GOOdfellow Chapman (E. Sussex)
eorge SteWhen Hebb (Manchester)
H:rbert James Dawson (Worcester)Wtlham Cuff (London)
Tom Wrunwright (Stockport)
Arthur Walter Child (Norfolk)
Douglas Ayre (Suffolk)
Bruce McGillvray Coltman (Newcas tle on Tyne)
John Barry Alldritt (Staffs.)
John Edward Rodda (Notts.)
Geoffrey Molyneux Ratcliffe, RMN (Manchester)
William Jame s Frederick Carter (London)
ASSOCIATE SERVING BROTHER
Werner Fritz Ballheimer (London)
David Claremont (London)
SERVING SISTER
Vera, Mrs. Clifton (No tt s.)
Margaret, Mrs. Gornall (Cheshire)
Lady Rachel Moyra Pau ncefort Duncombe ( Bucks.)
Mavis Rita Emma, Mrs Knight SRN (Devon)
Elizabeth Mrs. Farrow (Lancs.) Pamela Mary, Miss Taylor SRN, SCM. (Cornwall)
Joan, Mrs.
Three heads
FUNDS FOR HOSPITAL
I hear that SJ A Coleraine recently held a tea and concert in aid of the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem - the first time, it is believed, that money for the hospital has been raised in Northern Ireland. With advan.ce publicity about the work of the hospital in the local press the evening very successful and raised £300.
NEW CADET HQ
The new Humberside County Cadet Headquarters, at 97 Spring Bank, Hull, was officially opened on February 15 by The Archbishop of York. (Photo below)
The building, a house which had been vacant for some years t?efore St. John bought it two years ago , was intended to be converted into an Area HQ at a cost of £ 15 ,000 I3ut when this plan was dropped the Cadet authori ties were offered the building on the understanding that .they restored it at no cost to St. John with the exception of a new toilet block , which was essentiaL Members and their families then set to work and have since put in over 4 000 hours restoring the building and raising £1900.
The official opening was by a service at the nearby St. Stephen's Church which was attended by 350 officers and cadets, and 80 guests who included the Commander, Lord Westbury, and Lady Westbury, the Lord Lieutenant the High Sheriff and the C-in-C.
Aft@r the ceremony thf' C - in-C
AROUND aAd ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN
BY THE EDITOR
presented 19 Grand Prior s badges , 21 Special Service Shields, the Serving Brother medal to CSO G. Jessop , and the Serving Si s ter medal to Div. Supt. Mrs. C. F. Jessop , o f Hull Wilbaforce 11 Nursing Cadet Division.
The newly formed ' Cadet Band played for the march past.
The new HQ includes basement rooms for a cadet youth club With a sho rta ge of officers locally the intention is to hold· combined lectures for proficienc y badge subjects at the HQ.
AN AMBULANCE FOR
When the Conoco Oil Refinery Company , of South Humberside , recently changed their refinery ambulance instead of trading in the old vehicle they decided to present it to the SJ A Scunthorpe Divisions So understandably it a jubilant party of members from the Divisions who assembled at their Headquarters on February 1 to see the Oil Refinery Manager , Mr. G. Peters ; New Humbersi d e c ade t HQafter 4 ,000 hours of work by ·me mbers. It n c ludes rooms for a c ad e youth c lub See NEW CAD ET HQ
Scuntho p e Di vis ions amb u an c e - bei n g handed over by th e m an ager of Conoco Oil refinery Thanks. (Photo S cu nthorpe Evening Telegraph)
APPOINTMENTS
Hereford and Worcester: Lady Huntington -Whitely appointed Chairman of the St. John CounciL
J e r sey: Dr D M M Scott - Warren r es i g n e d a s C o unt y Sur g eon. No re pl a cement yet
Northumbria: Mr E. B. Downey to be a S econd Dep. Com.
South Africa: Mrs. Lanham resigned as Prior y Secretary. Her successor is not yet known
who was accompanied by Mrs. Peters , and other refinery staff, officially hand over the vehicle to the President of the Scunthorpe Ambulance Division , Councillor C yril Nottingham , who accepted it on behalf of the Scunthorpe Di visions.
At the headquarters the Conoco party was welcomed b y D ivisional Officer , ] Budworth who is himself a Conoeo employee , and intr o duced to the St. John officers L ater they were introduced to members by the County Staff Officer , T. Cunnane , who then invited Mr. Peters to make the presentation.
Mr. Peters paid a very warm tribute to St. John Ambulannce and its work and expressed his plea s ure at being able to make
MIND BENDERS Find the first aid w o rd or
s in the clue The number of lett er s n the an swer is given T o get you used to the idea I'll gi ve y ou the fir s answer.
CLUE : Two girl s on you knee (3 ,4 )
ANSWER : PAT -ELLA O K?
I. R..eg pull maybe (3 ) :2. Provide for war (3) 3 Learner or example (3) 4 X indi cates this ? (5 2.5 )
An swer : Up side dow n - are at the bo tom of page 82. No Cheating.
Sl)ch a contribution After Counc illor Nouingham had replied , County Staff Officer T. Cunnane asked the Rev Mr. Wood to dedicate the vehicle ; and to bring proceedings to a close , Area Nursing Officer Mrs. A. McGuane presented Mrs. Peters with a bouquet of flowers.
The vehicle , a 7-year -old Ford Transit with twin rear wheels has recorded only just o ver 5,000 miles and is in excellent conditi cHiI.
The Scunthorpe Ambulance Division which took possession of the ambulance some weeKs prior to their presentation , had it re sprayed Later Div Supt. J A Jerm a n y , together with Di v. Off. W Twive y and Transport Sg t. K Brockle s b y, completel y refitted the interior. It now has a new stre t cher cot and new seats complete with seat belts.
Scunthorpe m e mber s are delighted with their new vehicle
FUNDS
SJA Derbyshire s Peak Area held a Bonanza Day at Buxton last May to raise funds for its divisi<ms. The idea was taken up by other local organisations , who donated profits to the SJ A bonanza account.
Early this year , at a function given by the Area Presidents and Vice-Presidents, it was announced that the project had produced £830 of which £533 was divided among the divisions.
These figures , writes the County PRO , may not seem impressive to fund raising in b' " Ig Cities, lout the Peak Area comprises one small town and many small villages Edale , one such village, raised £50 for St. John So
do not de s pair at fund ra is ing if y o ur area is s par sely populated Go o ut to the people and a s k
WHYI
Newca s tle upon Tyne 's N ovocastrian Divi s ion la s t y ear tried , for the first time an es s ay competition for its NCOs and ambulance members .' It was so successful that it is now to be held annually and the prize, in memory of their late superintendent , Jim Gib son , is to be a book about the Order.
Last year's winner , chosen by Div. Surgeon Dr. P. Brantingham was Dick Pease , who submitted the following piece :
Why I joined the Brigade
During the earl y month s of married life my wife de v eloped a chronic illness I became very depre s sed and thought my whole world had fallen apart. One evening I was on a errand to the chemist's for tablets for m y wife when I met a chap who invited me to join the St. John A mbulance Brigade.
I accepted the inv tation and visited the cl a ss We had some grand nights there It was a work of art t y ing slings and reef knot s - the y had to be reef kn o s, a s the s erg e ant in c h a r ge wo uldn t accept g ranny 's J al w a ys fe lt s orr y for th e p a ti ent - trussed up like a mumm y and ca rried a round th e room on a str et c her.
Th ese cl asses c h a n ged m y w hole outl o ok on life. When they were over the sergeant u sed to s a y: N ow d o n t forget to read yo ur
hoo k s lad s ' And I u sed to g o home feeling on top of the world happ y t o be a first -aider.
ETON SALE
The Lord Prior 's wife, Lad y Caccia is hold i ng a bring - and - bu y sale at The Pr ov o st's Lodge , Et o n College W indsor on Saturda y Ma y 8 , 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p m.to which e veryone is welcome. The sale in aid of the St. John Ophthalmic Ho s pital will include clothes (no shoes or hat s), antiques and produce Bring or send thin gs to sell - or come and bu y
MAJOR DISASTE RS
SJ A A
She explained the major accident plan and the most efficien t methods of communication for getting the right people to the right place at the right time. She stressed that frequent
extercises in communication are needed to get key people conversant with the action card plan.
A disaster, Sister Hoy explained, is an emergency of such magnitude as to require the extraordinary mobilisation of emergency services, and can be caused by natural or man-made means.
It is wise, on hearing of a major disaster, for the hospital to send a medical officer and medical team from the supporting hospital to the site, immediately, as a delay could mean the roads, would be congested with thus preventing help getting through in time.
When many casualties are involved, two or more hospitals are needed. The nearest hospital with an Accident Unit will be the designated hospital, supported by others in the surrounding area. Sister Hoy pointed out that the words 'Major Accident' ean be received from any source: police, individuals, other hospitals, radio, television, or the sudden arrival of casualties. It is essential that an up-to-date list is kept of trained staff and students who have worked in the accident and emergeNCY department, so enabling the administration sector to send only those staff familtiar with the Imit. Documentation of the injured must he kept as near to normal as possible, but in addition prepared accident cards and notes, together with labels and a skin pencil, should be held in each cubicle for emergency use only. Voluntary organisations should be divided into groups, and those familiar with accident and emergency procedure would stay at the department, while others could be used to help on wards, act as porters and look after relatives. In all cases team work and good
Three cheers for Mandy
THREE cheers for 14-year-old Cadet Mandy Truslove of Warwick who, although physically handicapped, has completed 200 hours of public duties and is here pictured with the cup won by the team of which she is the leader.
Mandy said: 'I have in fact done 520 hours of public duty, but ' it was not until recently that I realised just how many hours, but now I've got my 200 hour badge. I was a handicapped child, but I can walk now. I was brought up in a hospital and the nurses were so good to me that I decided nursing the career for me. So I joined the Cadets.' She has been associated with Warwick Cadets for six years but did not enrol until four years ago. Her public duties have included long hours with the ambulance crew at a local kart-raeing track, baby sitting, giving first aid lectures and helping the elderly. When she moves into the adults at 16 she plams to continue to help out teaching the cadets.
Mrs Beryl Morris, Divisional Superintendent', said: 'I am very proud of Mandy. She is only the third girl iri the group to receive the service shield.'
organisation is the essence. The function of every St. John Ambulance member is to render first aid on the spot in the hope of saving life in the initial stages.
A FIRST
Our congratulations to Lady Crawshay, the SJ A Chief Superintendent for Wales, who has been appointed the first Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Gwent. The Lord Lieutenant, Colonel Roderick Hill, KStJ, JP, who is also the President of the St. John Council for Gwent, signed the Commission on February 10.
MARKING SHEETS
During 1976 it is hoped we will be ' able to make available another 18 sets of test papers competitions occur, each consisting of one team plus two individual tests. The subscription for the year's supply will be £9.50 post paid, but single sets of tests relating to specific Association competitions may also be ordered at a cost of 55p per set. As it is only intended to duplicate the sheets in sufficient 'quantity to meet demands, orders should be placed with the Competition SecretafY, at Headquarters, as soon as possible.
SEND ITTO US
The Review always welcomes news, articles, ideas, tJIoughts, your letters, or a good touch of humour about any .respect of St. John and lpnow 01 41noJi',! 'p 3;)1 '( WJ\" 'Z, 'I
(U3MSUB) SH30N3B ONIW
7, Some form of direct evidence of the quality of the first aid rendered and of anything exceptional about the eirwmstances in which it was given, eg from a police officer, fire officer or ambwlance officer who was present at the incident, or from any other reliable eyewitness, or from the casualty officer or sister at the hospital where the casualty was received.
8. If an application is being made for an award from some other organisation, eg the Royal Humane Society, this fact should al ways be stated, and Headquarters should be informed as soon as the result of the application is known.
AT RANDOM
(cont. from page 73)
its activities - from anywhere in the world. If you think you've got, or are trying out, a new idea or something different, something unusual - so much the better. That's just what the Review is looking for, because such ideas should be passed on and so help to develop St. John as an organisation, Photographs must be black and white, not colour. If possible, type your material, double or preferably treble spacing (so that we can write in corrections without retyping). But if your material has to be handwritten, PRINT ALL NAMES IN CAPIT ALS. We often have a devil of a time - wasted time, of course - trying to decypher a place or person's name. Send material to the editorial office at the address always given on the first page of the Review. Sending it to Headquarters will cause a delay - as someone has to go and collect it.
HQ STAFF
George W. Wood hill, MBE, of Beckenham, Kent, who joined the St. John Ambulance in 1942 and became its -Registrar in 1967, has been appointed Director of Aeromedical Services. In this capacity he will be responsible for that branch of St. John Ambulance which arranges the transportation by air and the in-flight care of sick arid injured people when they ar,e repatriated from abroad.
Mr. Wood hill's suecessor as Registrar, Laurence Hawes, of Gillingham, Kent, joined St. John Ambulance as a Cadet in 1944. He was appointed to the headquarter's staff as Staff Offker and Assistant Registrar at the beginning ®f 1969 and became Deputy Registra r and Staff Manager two years ago.
As well as the above information, it may often be very helpful to have a copy of the report sent in by the first-aider for entry in the divisional Case Report Book (Brigade Reg. 18), or of any more detailed report that an officer senior to the first-aider in chain of command may ask the first-aider to" submit. In cases where the incident was in any way out of the ordinary an amplified report of this kind is often asked for, and can nearly always be obtained without in any ,way suggesting that it's connected with an official request for commendation. But it will be obvious that such a report, however useful in filling in important details of the first aid rendered, can never be considered adequate as sole evidence; still less can news cuttings from the local press though the latter may be very helpful in reconstructing the scene.
The really important thing is to send in, thf0ugh the Commissioner, as much of the above information as possible and as soon as possible, so that we do not have to write back from Headquarters to ask for further essential details at a time when witnesses may no longer be able to rely on the accuracy of their memories; even if further reliable information can be obtained, this causes unnecessary delay in the assessment of the case and the issue of any official commendation that may be approved.
Reasons for awards
It has sometimes been suggested that to the lists of awards made to Brigade members and published in Brigade Orders and in the Review should be added some brief account of what the recipients had done to earn their award - a practice hitherto restricted to Order awards (ie Life-Saving Medals and Certificates of Honour). This suggestion has much to commend it, but we have as yet refrained from putting it into practice because it's almost impossible to give an adequate account, in a mere two or three lines of print, of the reasons why these farticulali cases were out of the ordinary or beyond the normal call of duty', Moreover, quite a number of them often with a photograph of the firs;-aider
concerned, have been sent independently to the Review and published in Around and About, usually with a far more detailed write-up than could possibly be given in any brief citation in a list of awards; and we have felt that news contributed informally in this way from local sources gave a far better idea of the splendid work being done by our members than could be given by a much shorter formal account published in the official list of awards. This is not the last word on the subject and it may well be that the suggestion will eventually be adopted.
Be that as it may, we must none of us ever forget that our members who receive official awards and commendations are but a fraction of those who deserve them, and that we should be equally proud of, and grateful for, the unrecorded meritorious service to humanity performed by St. John members whose actions - perhaps unseen by any independant eye-witness - remain a secret treasured with a true combination of proud thanksgiving and humility in the hearts of those whose privilege it has been to perform them.
Here are some
But I think it may be interesting and useful to lift the veil a little as regards Meritorious Service Certificates and Letters of Commendation awarded during the past year (1975).
It so happens that rather fewer than the average annual number of these awards were made last year, but of the 8 MSCs awarded, five (of which 2 were to ambulance members, 2 to nursing members and one to an ambulance cadet) were for outstandingly meritorious service on the occasion of the terrorist bombings in Birmingham in November of the previous year; two were to 2 ambulance members who with great skill and perseverance, despite repeated cardiac failure of the casualty, succeeded four times in performing both cardiac and oral resuscitation on a boy who had collapsed at a football match; and one was an ambulance member who showed exceptional skill, leadership and initiative in dealing with a very hazardous situation resulting from a road accident.
Of the 5 Letters of Commendation awarded, one was to an ambulance cadet whose skill and dexterity saved the life of a woman was involved in a particularly
serious road one was to a Divisional Superintendent who happened to arrive at a multiple road crash and succeeded without assistance in preserving the lives of two survivors until the arrival of the ambulance one was to a nursing member who, while on holiday, rescued an unconscious woman from the sea despite a strong undertow, and then successfully applied oral resuscitation; and 2 were to two nursing members who were travelling in a bus which crashed into a pedestrian barrier of which the guard -rail penetrated the side of the bus and impaled the upper thigh of the lady sitting in front of them, whereupon they contributed to saving the casualty's life by refusing to allow anyone to try to remove the rail, keeping her still and comforting and attending her while the fire service severed the rail and during her subsequent transport to hospital.
Some of these incidents will already be known to you, for I distinctly remember at least 6 of them (with photographs of the first-aiders) being reported in detail in Around and About, as well as two awards made to Brigade members by the Royal Humane Society - an honour which (as I explained last month) made them ineligible to receive a Brigade award as well.
Jetting
The jet season has already started again. At the moment of writing, Sir Leslie Monson (Director Overseas) is setting off on a 5week tour of St. John Ambulance in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Fiji. And in early April the Chief Commander will be flying to the Priory of Canada for a fortnight. But the earliest migrant was the Commissioner-in-Chief, who is just back from a brief visit to St. John in Cyprus, followed by an even briefer visit to the Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem. hope that our travellers will give us some account of these visits in forthcoming issues of the Review.
No strawberry I ft's really great to have the Commissioner-in-Chief back with us in fine fettle after his serious illness during the last quarter of last year, and to find that he seems to have suffered no permanent ill effects. There were moments when it was my duty to deputise for him during the three months from September to December (more especially at the Brigade Committee and the Presidents' Conference), when I felt I was putting my audience in the position of the man who was touring Cornwall by car and saw a cottage with the alluring sign 'Strawberry and cream teas'. He pulled up, went inside and sat down with pleasurable anticipation, only to find a small card on his table on which was written: 'Owing to the absence of strawberries, prunes will be served instead'.
A bit old fashioned but •
IN THIS MODERN world of ours many of the 'latest' ways of tackling situations are in fa<\:t revivals of long forgotten m€thods. The recent return to popularity of Victorian kitchen utensils and storage jars, for instance, is just one of the many every· day examples of this. The reintroduction of pressure points and manual methods of resuscitation are examples in first aid - as are the use of poles and canvas stretchers , which was the first type of collapsible stretcher in general use in bygone days.
For the uninitiated, a poles and canvas stretcher consists of a canvas sheet (or a variety of man-made fibre substitutes) measuring approximately 62cm by 183cm (24Y2 inches by 72 inches), with a sleeve along eaeh side to take two alloy or wooden poles. When the poles are held apart by a metal transverse spreader bar at each end ,' a rigid 'Furley type' stretcher is fermed. (Fig. 1).
Why has there been a revival of this simple type of stretcher? Primarily because of its versatility. A patient can be transported on it or transferred to virtually any other form of stretcher (Fur!ey, FernoWashington trolley cot, stretcher trolley, seat, bed, X-ray trolley), or even the flOOF. Nowadays, with such a wide selection of stretcher equipment available, it is almost impossible when treating a casualty to be sure what type of gear he will have to be transferred to in the ambulance. This particularly applies to large Brigade duties, at which there may be many different types of ambhllance.
Cost is alilother reason for this return to old ways. Compared with the more sophisticated forms of stretcher, poles and canvas are relatively inexpensive. Canvases cost £4 to £5 each; a set of poles and spreaders £8 to £ 10, depending on whether they art: wood or alloy.
For emergency use their versatility is un surpassable. A patient can be deposited on any other type of stretcher gear, and after depositing the poles can be withdrawn for further use while the canvas is left under the
Poles and canvas stretcher gear is making a comeback. M. V.
MORING
tells us why
patient for later collection from the hospital.
But some hospitals operate an exchange system for the canvases, so you don't go away minus a canvas
Storage of such a stretcher is simple and less space consuming. Only one pair of poles and spreaders need be carried (although the national recommendation is two sets per emergency vehicle). The number of canvases can vary according to the type of work the vehicle is engaged in, the accessability of local replacement stock and storage space within the vehicle As many canvases as possible should be carried on Brigade ambulances , since there is always the possibility of our services being required at a major incident. At such an incident excess canvases could be used for waiting patients while the ambulance is taking the first casualties to hospital. As the poles and transverse bars are required only for carrying there is 1'10 need to have a set for each canvas, although· a couple of extra sets should be included as emergency equipment for incidents with many casualties
Some canvases have loops or rope handles sewn at regular intervals along each side so that they can be used without the need of poles, etc. They are then ideal for removing patients down stairs or around corners, since bending along the length is possible if the patient's condition permits It must be borne in mind , however , that as no stability exists in this form of 'stretcher' (as with the blanket lift too) any suspect fracture must be suitably immobilised with splints. Each ambulance should carry at least ome additional canvas with these hand grips ('carrying-sheets').
Webbing carrying slings, which can be obtained for use with carrying sheets , give more control of the patient's position. (Fig 2).
To sum up the advantages of poles and canvas stretchers:
(a) Versatility ; onoe on a canvas a patient can be tr a nsferred to amy other stretcher gear.
(b) Low cost; compared with a conventional stretcher, £ 100 would buy 2 sets of poles
and spreaders and 16 canvases (or 4 Furley type stretchers).
(c) Easy storage.
(d) Lightweight ; alloy poles and man -made fi bre canvases are considerably lighter than conventional stretchers.
(e) They are also rot proof
(f) Hygienic; canvases are easily cleaned by washing or laundering and therefore can be sterilized.
(g) Recommended by the working party on Ambulance Training and Equipment, 1967 (HMSO).
Disadvantages are:
(a) They are not as rigid as conventional stretchers and therefore it is unwise to u se them with manifold stretcher harne ss or 40ft. lashing for lowering patient from a height
(b) As they have to be assembled for use, it is not advantageous to keep one continuously blanketed
(c) Poles and transverse bars are needed before the patient can be ·carried
(d) Canvases liable to be exchanged at a hospital for one of inferior quality (although the opposite is equally true). Identification marks recommended.
When to use poles and canvas
Canvases should be placed under all patients who are likely to travel to hospital on a stretcher in the am bulance. It is , then possible to move the patient on the canvas at hospital, if this is in the best interests of the patient. When a carry -c hair is used to load a patient into an ambulance, the canvas c an either be placed on the carry-chair or on the stretcher gear ready to receive the patient It should be borne in mind, however, that if the canvas is placed under a blanket , the blanket will also be retained with the canvas at the hospital. However, if the canvas is placed on top of the blanket, the blanket will not be included in the lift. But of course this metIaod should not be used if it means the patiel1t will feel cold. An incontinence sheet may also be needed , although some man - made fibre sheets are wet-proof and easily cleaned.
Placing a canvas/carrying sheet under a patient
Canvases can be placed under patients in similar ways to blankets, but because they are less bulky some variations are possible
Simply , the different methods are:
The patient can be lifted onto the prepared poles and canvas stretcher by the various methods described in the First Aid Manual.
The patient can be l ifted onto conventional stretcher gear which includes a canvas.
The canvas can be placed under the patient as described below, the poles carefully inserted and the transverse spreader added.
Sitting cases - if it is necessary due to
I Fig. 2
injuries or limitation of space , to lift the patient directly onto the canvas a carrying s heet should be prepared as follows:
I) Concertina fold each end in 2 to 3 inches with the folds towards the middle , ensuring that (a) both ends meet at the midway point in the length of the sheet (ca rr y ing sheets as illustrated in Fig. 2 with rope handles are not really suitable for the
Fig. 4
above pro cedures due to the extra bulk of the ropes and cannot be used with poles and spreaders); and (b) the short edges of the sheet finish outermost (see Fig. 3). This should give a folded sheet about 6 inches by width of canvas by 1 inch thick (approx.). It will be necessa r y to measure the unfolded canvas alongside the patient to establish the point at which the concertina
Fig. 3
Fig.
folds meet, and so ensure -that the patient will finish centrally placed on the canvas when it is unfolded. ,
2) Gently slide this the patient's knees and by carefully pulling to and fro, ease it up into position as high under the patient's thighs as possible, ensuring that the · folds stay intact. Alternatively you can work from the small of the back downwards; however, the midway point then has to be adjusted in relation to the size of the patient.
3) Standing behind the patient (or one persoD Qn each side of him) hold the top two corners of the sheet by the hand grips and pull the sheet upwards under the patient's bwttocks and along the back (Fig. 4). The ease with which this operation is carried out is assisted by the concertina folding - and is influenced considerably by the weight of the patient and friction between the patient's clQthing and the canvas, Care must be taken when carrying out this procedure to eliminate the risk 0f friction burns to unprot€Gted skin surfaces, especially when using man-made fibre sheets, by not pulling too quickly.
4) The bottom folds are pulled down behind the backs of the legs, leaving the patient in position on the carrying sheet, which can now be lifted by means of the hand holds.
If the patient's injuries permit, and there are two or more helpers, it may be possible to lift the patient slightly while the sheet is placed in position.
Supine Patients - when it is possible to turn the patient to one side: -
1) Concertina fold the canvas lengthways .for two thirds of its width, ensuring that the edge ends up Ol!ltermost (Fig. 5).
2) With the aid of helpers incline the patient to his least injured side (as per First Aid Manual for blanket lift) and place the folded edge of the canvas as far under the patient as possible (Fig. 6).
3) Gently lower the patient to the ground.
4) Carefully reach under the patient's injured side -felr the canvas and slowly pull it out until it is completely IJnfolded, only moving the patient if absolutely ne cessary,
5) The patient should now be in a central posifion on the canvas, and a blanket can similarly be placed between the patient and the canvas,
6) Poles and traTrlsverse bars are then carefully inserted ready for lifting in the conventional manner.
7) Having placed the patient onto the
ambulance stretcher gear it is usual to remove -poles and during transit, to reinsert them at the destination for removal to bed , couch or trolley, etc.
Supine Patients - when patieTrlt cannot be turned sideways:
I) Prepare the canvas or carrying sheet as for sitting case,
2) Slide the folded canvas under the patient by using either the natural hollows of the small of the back or behind the knees (Fig, 7).
3) Gently pull the canvas , unfolding it
until the patient is lying on the complete canvas.
4) Carefully' insert poles and spreader hars, etc.
With practice, the use of ' old-fashioned' poles and canvas/ carrying sheet can become an important new art that every Brigade ambulance crew should master.
(Editor: Canvases / carrying sheets illustrated can be obtained from The Crompton Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Melbouflile Mills, Albert Street, Lockwood, Huddersfield) - •
EARLY ORDER RELIC
Found in Oxfordshire
IN 19,75, Oxfordshire SJA county headquarters transferred from Oxford to Kidlington, where an addition was made to the existing headquarters of the Kidlington Division in order to provide office accommodation and a larger main hall.
Visitors to this new county HQ building will be interested in a relic of the early - history of the Order which is displayed on a wall of the hall.
Between 1140 and 1150 Robert D'Oilly and Henry, his son gave the lands at Gosford (Kidlington) to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and it is known that nuns of the Order were in charge of a hospital there until 1180. The lands and hospital then passed to the Knights Templars
At the suppression of the Knights Templars in 1307 , the lands and buildings were returned to the Order of St. John and remained so until Henry VIII's dissolution of religious houses (1537 - 1540).
The hospital then became an asylum or Poor house', from which we assume its undignified name of Louse Hall originated.
Later Louse Hall became an inn and although we have no record of when this occurred it is known that in the second half of the 18th-century the proprietress or 'Ale Wife' was known as Mother Louse
Mother Louse appears to have been a well-known character and popular with the students from Oxford. She was reputed to be the last woman in the country to wear the Elizabethan ruff.
Dl!lring alterations to the building shortly after the 1939-45 War, the remains of an ancient window were discovered beneath a Ooor of the building now known as The King's Arms. The Rev. Claude Chavasse Vicar of Kidlington , having a of local history , became Interested and persuaded the brewers to a]l]0w him to take the window as a gift. It was identified as an oak four-light window of the 15th-century and there is little doubt that
it had been pa>ft of the hospital of St. JOAn.
After thorough treatment with a preservative it was stored in the loft of the vicarage barn, and almost forgotten
During his incumbency the Rev Chavasse had arranged for a wooden hut to be furnished as a daughter church for use by the residents of South Kidlington , which due to its proximity to the site of the anCient hospital , was dedicated to St. John the Baptist patron Saint of the Order. This hut was eventually replaced by a modern , permanent church also dedicated to St. J ahn The foundation stone bears the eight-pointed cross and at the dedication a flag was flown bearing the white eight-pointed star on a red background.
It had been suggested that the old window might be incorporated in the new church , but its condition was such that this was impracticable. Howe ver in 1975 it was brought from the barn loft and at'ter further treatment was included in an exhibition staged by the Kidlington and District Historical Societ y in the Kidlington Division St. John Headq uarters.
Great interest was shown in this exhibit both by the general public and local press. It
EMERGENCY AID
w as then felt that the St. John Headquarters w as the right place for it to remain as a t reasured reminder of our long history.
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
by BRIAN ROCKELl
AMBUlANC'ES
part eight (final)
AS ' MENTIONED earlier in this series, ambulance crews not only have to be trained to a very much higher standard nowadays but this standard should be maintained by periodic refresher courses. Likewise the ambulance vehicle, whether acquired new or secondhand, also needs regular maintenance to ensure that it is always fit enough to do its job properly. Which may just sound like commonsense, which it is. But how many private cars, which should also be regularly maintained and we all intend to do this - are in fact neglected until something 'goes wrong'? But with an a.mbulance vehicle nothing should ever 'go wrong'; its role is like that of a fire tender not a family saloon. The routine checks that are carried out before every journey will do much to ensure that the vehicle is in an A 1 condition. But also a log book or sheet should be used, which is completed for each journey and ipcludes space for the driver or attendent to record any, defects in the vehicle. A suggested format for a log sheet is illustrated It is important that the vehicles are serviced at the correct intervals. On a vehicle of low mileage the servicing period will be controlled by time rather than mileage, but a full examination should be undertaken every three months even if the vehicle completes a low mileage during this time.
Additional
equipment
Ambulances carry extensive equipment in addition to these mechanical items which are normally dealt with at the service intervals. A full service schedule should be prepared which relates individually to each vehicle. If the vehicle is taken to a local agent · for servicing it is almost certain that not ,all of the various pieces of equipment will be checked. The normal service concentrates on the mechanical aspects relating to the engine and chassis components, but it will not include ancillary equipment which is part of tne bodywork or saloon. So all of the additiona( equipment should then be checked by the Transport Officer.
The following service schedule was adapted for use on a Ford
It includes
only the
indscreen washers.
Driv e r's and atteFldaFlt's seats.
Condition of chassis
Heater cab.
He a ter sa oo n Fi re extin gu s he r s.
Horn R efl ec tor s. In strume nt s. Switches.
Springs and suspension
Condition of s ha c kle pins.
COFldition of shackle bushe s. Condition of suspelilsion uni ts. Attachments o f suspension uni ts. Shock absorbers.
Cleanline ss is a ll imp o rt ant. a suital9le b ru s h and ho :;e protective clothing a n d steps may be need ed (u nl ess you ha ve a giant in t h e division)
Cleanline ss is also important and adequate w ashing facilities should be provided for the crew and vehicle. As soon as possible after every journey the ambulance should be washed and dried. Even in dry weather dust will settle on the bodywork and straight back vehicles are particularly prone to this problem White vehicles show the dust and dirt to a greater extent than other colours , and the dust and grime soon becomes ingrained in the paintwoik to produce an otT-white. A suitable brush and hose should be used to wash the vehicle a nd , as it is very easy to get soaked while doing this job , protecti ve clothing and boots should be provided The top of an ambulance can be difficult to reach so a set of steps may be necessary While washing the bodywork it is helpful to direct a jet of water to the underside to wash otT any mWQ, salt , etc. It is better not to use a detergent in the water as this can cau se smearing on white bodywork , particularly if the detergent is used in a concentrated form. Although real chamois is better for dr y ing the I;>odywork, a synthetic leather is cheaper and can be thrown away when very soiled.
Interior
The im uerior should receive the same meticulous attention as the bodywork , On vehicles with trolley stretchers it is quick and
easy to remove both the stretchers and mop the floor. A disinfectant can be added to the washing water, not for germicidal reasons , for weak solutions have little etTect , but rather to give the interior a nice clean fre s h smell. A spray furniture po lish ( Min -Spray , Mr.Sheen, etc.) can be u sed for cleaning the upholstery and interior fittings, and a clean wash leather for the interior m irror s and glass. After washing, the vinyl on the floor can be treated with one of th e p ro priet a r y se aler s which give a non -s lip gloss that does not easily soil. Ordinary floor poli s h can produce a very slippery floor.
If any of the cleaning is to be done at night suitable floodli g hting will be needed to o mit shadows - and hence cleaner 's holidays '. The bodywork condition will be maintained with a good polish every few months. It s more important to remove ingrained dirt and stains when polishing than to give a high gloss. And white bodywork because of its high light -reflection will not give the deep gloss that can be achieved with darker colours.
The chrome can be cleaned with a special wax which will give it a lasting shine and resist corrosion For special occasions and to make the vehicle really 'tiddly', the tyres 'can be 'blacked' with a tyre paint or black shoe polish
As part of the regular maintenance schedule the bod yw ork should also of course, be examined for any sign of corrosion or rust. This can be easily treated in the early stages but once rust takes a hold it b€comes expensive and difficult to eradicate. Likely places of early rust are behind the headlights , the wheel arches, and the cab floor - but these 'w eak spots vary with the make of vehicle.
Annual test
When the vehicle is three years old it must undergo the Department of the Environment 's annual test (previously MOT test). Ambulances do not generally come within the scope of requirements for an HGV vehicle test , and they may be submitted to any suitable garage for testing. But many of the while -y ou-wait testing stations will not be suitable as few have fa cilities for testing vehicles which are higher than a car. A local commercial vehicle dealer will usually have the necessary facilities, and · remember that a vehicle may be submitted to test up to one month before the expiry date of its certificate. The new certificate will then be dated for one year from the expiry date of the old certificate.
Naturally no ambulance should be used on a public road without a valid test - certificate And on the question of
maintenance in general, it is important not to be satisfied with second best. The standard of maintenance of St. John ambulances should exceed the minimum laid down by the ambulance manufacturer.
The care of the vehicle includes, incidentally, the way it is driveFl-. An ambulance should always be accelerated gently through the gears (especially with a patient on board). And never brake violently - except in an emergency. At all times treat the vehicle as you would your patientwith CAR.E.
(In preparing this series of articles I am grateful for the assistance of my colleagues in East Berkshire; Jack Baker, of Bath, who so willingly read my draft and drew the sketches; and my wife, who typed the articles and was so patient while I sat with pen in hand - incommunicado - for many evenings. - Brian Rockel!). •
An ambulance should always be accelerated gently
READERS VIEWS
Readers' views and opin ion s, which be sent to the Ecl1itor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the of St, John and its -Foundations. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their .name and address to the editor.
HISTORY AND REVIEW
frram Miss V. Ronaasen, ,Divisional Officer (T)
I was del ighted to read the article When the Brigade first went to War (Dec. Review) and hope others will contribute to this and later periods of SJ history I say this not only because it'.should interest all of us, by bringing us up to date with Order history, but also because it brings the subject nearer to reality for cadets. For some of them find this a very dry and difficult subject, no matter how well taught. They might now have a great-grandfather who was involved in Order history. Recently, while doing a winter digging, a friend in Guildford unearthed what I believe to be a 1914 - 18 Service Medal - but without ribbon of course. The medal figures King George V on the obverse, and on the reverse, apart from the date, a naked man riding a charger bare-back, broad dagger or short sword in his right hand, the sun just past noon, a skull and crossbones at the bottom between 6 and 7 o'clock, and what could · be a slain dragon being trampled underfoot by the charger. Of particular interest was the inscription on the rim 'H. T. Burrell, B.R.C. & ST.J.J.' Has anyone any information of this award winner? And why was it not RAMC (since this was for med in 1873), or was he a civilian non-combatant volunteer? Any ideas?
While at Biggin Hill last year I visited the London Area mobile station, where my uniform (wet weather boat-duty type) created comment followed by 'I didn't know there were boats in St. John'. To which I could only reply: 'You don't read the Review. There was -a long article about us in the April issue.' I regret to say some members , il'lcluding one or two officers, admitted not even having heard of the Review. I was horrified and hope I made this view clear. AldershrJt V. Ronaasen
THE BIG BANDAGE
30 cadets tie 4,521 bandages over 24 hours - ' for funds
TO RAISE funds for a new minibus, Farnborough Ambulance Cadet Division recently held a sponsored bandaging session, a suggestion put forward by Superintendent L. Gaines.
The 24 -hour marathon started at 7pm on Friday December 12 and finished at 7pm the next · day. 30 members, including three Farnborough nursing cadets, and ranging from 8 to 15 -year-olds, took part They worked in groups of four for an hour, followed by a 2-hour rest period.
The target of 2,000 bandages was reached by 6.30 on Saturday morning, with a tGtal of 4,52 I being completed in the 24 hours (over three a minute!). If all the money promised is received, £ 194 will be raised
Working non -stop for the 24 hours, Mr. Gaines did the recording, and Mr. Webberley, of the Parents' Association, inspected every bandage Also helping were DIO J. Butler and a parent Mr. Wallace.
Two mothers of cadets prepared refreshlments.
Between shifts cadets slept at the HQ, while soup, drinks and hot -dogs were laid on.
The event created much interest and many visitors turned up to cheer on the groups.
The local press gave the event good coverage.
The first 'victims' N.E. Area Chairman, Cllr. J. Town-Clear and Area Training Officer H. Short were bandaged from head to toe!
Doctors and surgeons cou ld , I believe, be found in the Order to take up duties in Malta and it is hard to believe that nursing and other staff could not be found from the Maltese themselves.
Such a scheme would be of great benefit to the Maltese people and would at the same time bring back into the life of the island the service of the Order in its role of Hospitallers in one of its main bases of the past.
The Order with its long history of service as Hospitallers all over the world, could greatly enhance its great record by this means, unless such action became one based on political bias and not on humanit.arian grounds.
The Order, with its affiliated organisations, has sp read over a far wider field than it did in centuries past but, with its main emphasis now on Brigade and Association work, is gradually losing its main sp here of activities, which were and always have been an Order of Hospitallers.
Such a scheme could be the commencement of a gradual increase in the activities of the Order and could in time lead to the establishment of similar hospitals in other islands such as Crete and Rhodes , where the Order now has no organisation at all.
I may well, as a Serving Brother, be writing very much out of turn and in doing so may incur the displeasure of my seniors, but, whether J am wrong in putting this case, I feel very strongly that all members of the Order should be thinking at all times of ways and means of increasing the status and work of the Order in every way we can.
We have such a high record of service behind us, such a dedicated membership and such high public regard that r feeI we should continue to look upon the Order as 'The Sword and the Shield' in the field of human suffering and not be content to rest on our laurels. After all, any organisation must continue to expand if it is eventually to survive. Broadway, Worcs. Philip S. Field
CAN YOU HELP PAUL?
from Alc Sgt. Paul Thornton
Through readers of the Review I would like to find some form of medical/social/ambulance work which I could do during the period July 26 to August 22 1976. I am 16 years old, taking three 'A' levels at school and hope to go on to medical school. I am currently taking the adult first aid course. I hold the initial nursing certificate, the Grand Prior ' s badge , and have completed 1000 hours on public duty , with physically handicapped children, immigrant children and in a geriatric hospital. I am prepared to travel anywhere if board and lodging can be provided for me
66 Halifa x Road, Ripponden, Paul Thornton Sowerby Bridge, W. Yorks
AS A FEMALE from A Female
HOSPIT ALLER ROLE from Philip S. Field
I do not know whether I am right in putting the following idea to the Review, but the thought has long been in my mind that The Order shol'lld do all it can to re-establish its role as Hospitallers, particularly in Malta where the Sovereign Order has an Ambassador and The Venerable Order is represented by the Brigade.
There is the completed but almost disused new hospital on Gozo (about which so much has been written in the Press), disused British Military and Naval hospitals in Malta and, of course, the ruins of the old hospital of the Order in Valletta.
Would it not be possible for either the Sovereign Order or the Venerable Order (or preferably both) to approach the Malta Government and the various private patients' organisations in Elilgland, SUdil as B.U.P.A., Western Provident AssociatiGn and the like, to try and set up one of the disused or underused hospitals in Malta as a hospital run by the Order for patients of all nations?
As a female officer , I think r speak on behalf of many when I ask: How will the new Sex Discrimination Act affect St. John Ambulance, in particular with regard to the ladies and promotion and seniority on duty?
North of England A. Female
BACK ISSUES
from George H. Nicholson
It would seem that I have the habit of collecting back copies of the Review, as r wrote about others some years ago and disposed of a lot, but I now have more. If anyone would like them, for the postage involved, they are: All 1972 except Feb Sept. and Oct; 1973 except Jan , Mar, June and Aug; 1974 and 1975 complete.
r also have one copy of Feb. 1952, which records the death of King George VI.
41 Co!(vgate Road, George H. Nicholson Meadows, Nottingham NG2 2EJ
(Above) Cpl Barry Hooton at work on Graham Wallace, while (right) Cllr. John Town-Clear getting the Farnborough treatment. (Photos: Ca det Cpl. Simon Goodman)
No.3
The compet itor s
NEWS from SCOTLAND
H aid London, February 18
The Corporation of Edinbur'gh Museum Department is staging an exhibition om the Order of St. John, its history and modern. activities, in the Tolbooth, Canongate, from May 27 to September 11. More than a hundred exhibits, some from Scotland, others borrowed from dsewhere, will be on display. This will be the most representative collection of items ever assembled in S.cotland, and a booklet is being prepared which will cOfltain a long historical introduction on the Order in Christendom as well as in Scotland itself.
The Order's story will be told in 12 sections, supplemented by a tableau of Chapter in procession, by occasional film -shows afld by a continuous audio-visual presemtation of its activities today.
The Museum Departmeflt has a particularly good record when it comes to laying on exhibitions of this kind and it is collaborating closely with the Priory of Scotland. The Tolbooth will certainly be well worth visiting this summer.
OVERSEAS
WALES
No.2
to
to a
newly employed workman found unconscious in a hut shortly before the morning t ea break.
Examination of the casualty will rev ea tha t he is a diabetic who ha s collapsed through excess of in su lin while attempting to eat a sandwic h. In falling he has also s tru ck and lacerated the back of hi s head.
A workmate can obtain some first aid equipment from the site office, where a telephone s also available. Neither doctor nor ambulance arrives during the test.
No.4
Walking along the seafront the competitor is asked by a woman to treat her husband, who has a fish
News from Divisions/Centres
SOUTHPORT CORPS -A 'This is your Life' atmosphere pervaded the recent retirement dinner held at the Floral Hall, Southport as the guest of honour Mr. W, B, Robinson retired Corps Superintendent had no idea that it was being held, and on arrival was astounded to find himself being announced as the guest of honour, and indeed turned round to see who it was, It was only when he saw the familiar faces of his family and members, that he realised he had been had',
Glowing tributes to Mr. Robinson's 36 years with the Brigade were made by Mr. F. Dewhurst vice president. Mr. Robinson was then presented with a Teasmade and a coloured framed portrait of himself by the new Corps Supt. Mr. J. E. Hesketh. Corps. Nursing Officer, Miss M. Scholefield, then thanked Mrs. Robinson for all her help and encouragement to her husband, and presented her with a bowl of spring flowers. Two other members of the Brigade, who are now on the retired list, were not forgotten: Mr. N. Whyte (R) , Corps Secretary, and Mr. H. Pinch (R), Div. Supt were presented with silver dishes as a token of appreciation of their long service from Southport Corps
Mr. Robinson said how much he had enjoyed his time spent with the Brigade, in spite of some of the, tears and that come with the office, and wIshed hiS successor Mr. Hesketh well in the knowledge that all the officers and members would give him their loyalty and support, as they had given him in the past. Mr. Robinson performed the pleasant duty of presentmg AIM. Mr. P. Sperrin with his Grand Prior's Badge.
OBITUARY
Adeline May Burden, Joined Dorchester Nursing Division in 1939. Divisional Officer 1953-63. Serving Sister. Died December 28 1975
George Hally, 91, of W alton -on- Thames , Associated for over 50 years with St. John. as Commander, Knight of Grace and Knight of Justice of the Order. Managing Director of the Daimler Co. during World War 2
Mrs. Dorothy Leach, Serving Sister, Founder member of RUFlcorn Division in 1939, and very active member up to her death on february 15.
Donkeys, wasps and other things
BEACH
FIRST
AID
by Celia Haddon
LIFE on Britain's beaches really is like the postcards-fat ladies get stung by jellyfish and henpecked husbands are nipped youknow-where by cantankerous crabs. For those planning outings to the seaside resorts, statistics now prove ,you will find the traditional pattern of life on the beach unchanged.
Take donkeys, for instance-gentle, harmless creatures at first sight. Yet in 1974 Bridlington, Yorkshire's floral resort and winner of the Britain in Bloom contest, had its problems with donkeys. The annual report of the first aid post on the beaches revealed that nine people had to be treated for donkey bites.
First aid posts are found in most good resorts. Blackpool, for instance, puts both donkey and dog bites into one category and in 1974 experienced 14 incidents. Not only did dog bite man, but man bit man-two people were treated for child bites. In Bridlington, 13 holidaymakers were bitten by dogs, but fortunately children remained well behaved
Inanimate objects on beaches seem to become hostile to humans. Deckchairs and bottles accounted for 61 trapped fingers in BridJington, splinters for 46 in Blackpool while oddly enough Weymouth
beach hazards included cocktail sticks and even one hypodermic needle. Marine life naturally has its hazards.
There were 46 wasp stings, and 32 jellyfish stings in Blackpool-though no crab bites. Bridlington statistics reveal - somewhat mysteriously-I72 Jish stings. In Weymouth somebody managed to get stung in the classic postcard area- the right buttock.
The most bizarre of incidents are commonplace on the beach. In Weymouth the local St. John Ambulance Brigade dealt with a woman who had succeeded in cutting her head with a penny. A man fell off a trampoline and broke his thumb.
Sunstroke (for the lucky ones), upset tummies cuts and grazes are , of course, to be expected on the beach. But who would foresee that two ladies in Blackpool would need treatment for 'emotional upsets after visiting Madame Tussauds, or that in
Weymouth first aid workers would have to make a bikini out of bandages for a woman whose swimgear had fallen off'? It's a simply luverly time beside the seaside, beside the sea.
Miss Edith Matley, treasurer of Saddleworth Nursing Division (Nr. Oldham) for 23 years who retired recently due to ill health, receives a farewell gift from N.E. Area Commissioner Mrs. Margaret Swinnerton. Watching are (L to R) Mrs. N. Gale, Mrs. Pearl Dew (President), Superintendents Dorothy Robbins and Arthur Townrow. W. T. Robbins)
Area Commissioner Dr. C. J. P. Seccombe presents the first Grand Prior's badges - four of them - to Hanwell cadets Roy Haggerty, Andrew Morris Michael Carey and Simon Jones, with their equally pleased Div. Supt, Jim L(!)Ckie. (Photo: Ealing Gazette series)
Southport Corps: members at recent retirement dinner for Corps Supt. Mr. W. B. Robinson See report. (Plnoto: Southport Visiter)
REVIEW CROSSWORD No. 4(76)
IComp led by W. A Pot er)
Across:
1. Indicate the rhythm of the music from the interval between ventricular contractions? (4 - 4). 5. Unborn child after third month of pregnancy. (6). 10. Duck down on the bed. (5). 11. A clever inspiration from a cerebral convolution? (5 - 4). 12. Cause of many war injuries in bygone days. (5). 13. A support for the oth€rs. (4). 14. Make a false statement about 100 parasites. (4). 16. Is this the breakfast to go to work on? (5.3). 18. Instrument has nothing to terminate an unusual pain. (5). 21. Distended with fluid. (5). 22. Sat with a salt of llric acid to dissolve the maximum amount. (8) 24. Possesses a form of snow. (4). 26. Spermatic, spinal, or umbilical. (4)
27. Concerned with birth in South Africa. (5). 29. One doctor with a surgical knife produces a symptom of Meniere's disease. (9). 30. Vehicles for manipulative procedure. (5). 31. The fertilised ovum during the first three months of pregnancy. (6). 32. Want of strength then appearing in Asia. (8).
Down:
1. Beast right within mammary gland. (6) 2. Visual presentation of the results of a hearing test. (9) 3 Requiring 13 Across. (5). 4. Where tenderness is most marked in acute appendicitis. (9.5) 6. AmlOys in outsize emclosure. (4). 7. Tragic loss of a hundred hairs at external auditory meatus. (5). 8. Bony framework one may unfortunately have in the cupboard. (8). 9. Hypermetropia enables one to plan wisely for the future. (14). 15. Bony growth on calcaneum or olecranon is used by horseman. (4). 17. Swirling air current in inherited dyspnoea. (4). 19 Substance active in overcoming infection is unexpectedly not in taxi. (9). 20. Drug given pre-operatively to inhibit respiratory tract secretions. (8). 23. A psalm for fluid for transfusion. (6). 25. Read up ban about unpleasant smell for Indian ruler. (5). 27. Not a short ehapter for nick. (5). 28. Drama for relaxation. (4).
rls , is one of Ih e offi c a lly appoinl e d pane s of Ih e British Medical Association Its reviews are also published in th e BMA nformation '.
THE MOTORWAY FILE
16mm, 33mins. Free loan
Distributed by: Central Film Library, Government Building, Bromyard Avenue, Acton, L ondon W3 7JB.
Content: Edgar Lustgarten presents in the style of a TV crime investigation the 'Why' of a motorway accident by assembling and analysing evidence Four separate drivers reveal their individual personalities and the quality of their driving and eventually one of them has a fatal accident.
Appraisal: This safety film is novel that it deals solely with motorway driving; the presentation is excellent, production values are first-class and it punches home its message of care and attention wheN driving on the motorway. Strongly recommended Audience: All motorists. This film is of sufficient interest to demand universal viewing.
SHOCK
Tape/Slide, 54 Trans.
Distributed by: Medical Recording Service Foundation, Kitts Croft, Writtle, Chelmsford CMl 3EH.
tontent: This presentation shows causes and treatment of shock.
Author: Dr. Malcolm Hall.
Appraisal: This detailed study of the causes and treatment of surgical shock is highly technical and suitable solely for professional audiences. It could perhaps be displayed to advanced first-aiders providing a surgeon or nursing officer is available to conduct discussion This is a model presentation - the diagrams are excellent , the commentary at t he right pace
Audience: Medical and nursing students.
TEETH ARE GOOD THINGS TO HA VE
16mm, 14mins. Free loan
Distributed by: Johnson & Johnson Ltd., Bath Road, Slough SLI 4EA.
Content: This cartoon feature demonstrates the necessity of dental hygiene.
Appraisal : This film of American origin is addressed to children but the presentatiolil is far too complicated for a juvenile audience. It is interesting to note that the film advocates the use o f dental floss and horizontal (as opposed to vertical) ,brushing of teeth However it is a free loan film and could be of value if shown to cadets and juniors· dental hygiene is important.
Audience: Juvenile
HORSE SENSE AND ROAD SAFETY (1975) 16mm. Sound Col. 30 mins. Hire: £3.78
Distributed by: Town & Country Productions Ltd, 21 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, London SW3 5HP.
Content: This film shows drivers of mechanical transport riders and the general p\!lblic aware of the nature of the horse in relation to accident situations. It also shows the Mounted Branch of the Metropolitan Police and hazards of night riding - 'Horseman 's Sunday' at Epsom and a Home' of Rest' for horses
Appraisal: This film should be screened constantly at riding clubs and wherever the uninitiated are likely to think of riding. As a piece of film· craft it suffers from a meandering script and a length not commemsurate with its c0n t ent; ngnetheless it will Rave value for all likely to approach man's best friend.
Audience: Universal as an interest film - of specific interest to all riders
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENl"S
ADVERTISEMENTS
Driscoll Productions, Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butley, Nr. Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 3QF
St. John Ophthalmic Hospital calling p.l0l The C- in - C's visit to Cyprus p l02
Around and About. by the
Oxyge. Dispellser Bailiesuscitator
For inhalcation of oxygen or o,xygen/air; assis;ted & controlled positive pressure ventilation, with oxygen, oxygen/air or air. Ball Resuscitatol:
* Transl ucent face mask enables close observation of patient.
*Ventilex breathing valve allows patient to inhale or to be given positive pressure ventilation without adjusting ,apparatus
*Flexible tube,and breathing ball limited to 40 expansions a minute.
*Oxygen/air suckling valve which mixes air with oxygen as required, and can be adjusted to allow oxygen only into the ball. Oxygen Dispenser
*Pressurre. gauge, and rate of flow gauge (1-18 litres per minute).
*Control handle for on/off and rate of flow.
*Control valve with high & low pressure chambers, a setting for fixing maximum flow rate, and fine control for adjusting rate ot'flow gauge.
*Oxygen outlet point and filling connection.
iFor fill II details,
CHIEF SECRETARY RETIRES
Readers
Getting together in Germany p 115
News from Scotland - Wales p.116
National first aid competitions - Books p.117
News from Divisions/Centres p.118
Visual Aids p.120
ADVERTISEMENTS
BRIG ADlER Aubrey Miller retires this month as Chief Secretary of St. John Ambulance and it is impossible to overestimate the value to St. John of all that he has achieved in the last fourteen years. After serving three Commissioners -in-Chief and the Brigade as their Chief Staff Officer, he was the obvious choice to take on as Chief Secretary to St. John Ambulance when the Association and Brigade were merged in 1968. The merger was a difficult task requiring tact, understanding, tolerance and firmness , all of which Aubrey had to a marked degree and to Which he added a warm personality and lively sense of humour. The success of the merger owes more to him than perhaps to anyone else and his appointment as a Knight of Grace in 1972 was an acknowledgement by the Order of the great service to them of this devoted servant. He perhaps typifies more than anyone else that wonderful band of full-time St. John workers who give their all to the Order and in the case of St. John Ambulance make it such an efficient organisation, thus deploying to full advantage the talents and time of its many thousands of voluntary part-time workers.
Brigadier A. D. Miller DSO
Working towards SJA's centenary
The centenary motif of St. John - the 8-pointed white cross straddling the globe
Plans for celebrations throughout tile
the plans for the St. John celebrations throughout the country should by now be well advanced For time is getting short.
The aims of St. John for 1977 have been summed up by the Chief Commander:
'At the end of next year we want to look back and be able to say four things:
That we celebrated and commemorated our centenary;
Confirmed morale and enlarged our organisation;
Captured public interest and consolidated our financial base;
FOR MOST of us in St. John, 1977 should be a: memorable year - for not only is it the centenary of St. John Ambulance but also the silver jubilee of our Sovereign Head, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. All of which will mean many celebrations, of course, and
And that we have charted a course for the future.'
These are our aims. But what about the plans and activities during centenary year which will help to bring about these aims?
For some time now centenary planning has been the subject of a great deal of
country should now be well advanced
St. John s Gate, Clerkenwell in 1903 - where the first St. J o hn Ambulance HQ was established It comprise d st or e s for ambulance s up p li es offices a drill hall ambulances (horse - drawn and manual). and s ables. The Supplies Dept. is still at St John s Gate, of C(i)urse, which has also always been the HQ fo r the Order
thought. Two years ago the Headquarters' Centenary Working Committee was formed to explore the possibilities created by centenary year, to stimulate interest and involvement at a local, national and international level , and to co-ordinate the promotion of all centenary activities.
Before this group of senior HQ officers had met more than haf-a-dozen times St. John in the field had formed Regional , County, and then Divisional centenary ' c(0 mmittees, all thinking and working on the
The presentation goblet in Royal Brierley crystal to commem orate the centenary which is available from K H Billingham, CStJ 80 Court Cr escent. Kingswinford, West Midlands now at £8 50 plus postage and packing (£9 75 in 1977), Proceeds go to SJA Hereford and Worcester
e original form of St. John Ambulance Emergency Aid - 1878
toll.rruquet at bnek oflUl.eejOint, Of double the leg IIp against a pad p.lacOO in the lmln. l:nstep.-Pres$ure to the roldillll of front ofimele.
Sole of F06t.-Bandage With pads behind tmela bones and middle or inskl1
, -,
The first St. John Ambulance first aid examiriation paper - 1880. We wonder if the hand that wrote this script realised how many more such examination papers were to be p re pared?
same lines as the Chief Commander and the HQ committee, and determined that 1977 should be a fitting tribute -to 100 years of St. John Ambulance service.
St. John 1977 will in fact kick-otT in December 1976 with a spectacular royal at London's 'Talk of the Town' restaurant, so as to get everyone in a celebrating mood before the launching of centel1lary year on New Year's eve. Among the national projects being prepared by Headquarters for the year are competitions to find 'Miss St. John Centenary' and the best 'St. John in Action' photographs; the
production of commemorative items such as an exclusive presentation goblet in Royal Brierley crystal, which is being marketed by Hereford and Worcester Couflty, and a magnificent commemorative plate by Spode, which carries the SJ A centenary story on its reverse side. The early days of St. John Ambulance in the Potteries district make these significant pieces, for which collectors are already queuing for first-ofT' copies Essential centenary publicity material, which is being prepared, carries the national centenary motif of the flag of St. John flying over a globe of the world - with the
1877 1977
(contd. )
message: '... to launch the modern, adventurous St. John Ambulance into its second centenerary of service to meet the demands of today's world on land, sea and in the air ... Other publicity material includes leaflets, posters, stationery and banners for use throughout the country.
Looking back over the 100 years of St. John service, interesting items are being unearthed which include orginal first aid books , 19th-century first aid hampers, medals, records and photographs, and even blueprints of a 3-bicycle ambulance, one of which is believed to still exist in India. These fascinating bygones , together with contributions from St. John Ambulance at home and overseas, will appear in a souvenir centenary publication which everyone will want as a keep -sake of centenary year.
The world - wide message of St. John will also be put across in many other ways next year. Writers are searching archives for historical facts and information over the past 100 years for centenary articles. Novelist Barbara Cartland (D.St.J) is commemorating the centenary with a new romantic novel based on the Knights in Malta and entitled The Dream and The Glory'; While Geoffrey Trease's new book 'The Seas of Morning', a story about the Knights of the 15th -ce ntury, should be enjoyed by everyone.
In music, Jimmy Kennedy has written the St. John Centenary March If his other hits Artificial resp ir ation - with a n aut cal flavour - as t aug ht in 18 7 8 An ex tract rom the first First Aid Manual
are anything to go by -' Red Sails in the Sunset', 'Down Mexico Way', etc - our new march will probably be played for SJA' s second centenary year!
In municipal parks and gardens throughout the country there will be 8pointed white crosses in masses of flowers as tributes to St. John. While on a hill si de in Kent next summer, you may see a huge 8pointed white cross which , if you look closely , you'll notice is human - and moving! It will be a variation on a sponsored walk which is being developed for centenary publicity and fund - raising Up and down the country during 1977 the St. John family will be gathering in churches great and small for se rvices of Thanksgi v ing and Rededication for the work of St. John Ambulance. Rallies, pageants, fairs, spo rting events and all so rts of other spectacular and fun activitie s are being arranged at C ou nty , R€gional and Divisional level. The earliest St. John Ambulance lecture s and competition s will be re -enacted at their orginal venues. A mass St. John Talent Contest s being arranged by Greater Manchester. Then there will be Torchlight Parades 1877 Ri ve rboat Partie s, Costume Ball s - you name it. !
St. John Overseas will be sharing our festive mood and organising their own special ce le bration s some of which will combine the centenary with the Silver Jubilee. Some countries will be welcoming our Sovereign Head during her oversea s tour s
For St. John members time is obviously going to be at a premium during 1977. Apart from our centenary activities , there will be many hour s of public duties at Silver Jubilee celebrations, but St. John has had plenty of practice at jubilee duties Over the last 100 years we've been at the forefront of nearly all of them , starting with the significant jubilee of 1887 when Queen Victoria (I ater to become th e fir s Royal Sovereign Head of St. John) first publicly recognised the 'v aluable services of St. John Ambulance'
So, too , in 1977 will the presence and the work of St. John Ambulance be noted and appreciated by our Sovereign Head Queen Elizabeth II in her own Silver Jubilee year. When she visits the regions no doubt she will have a s pecial word for the many St. John people s he hop es to meet A word of praise , perhaps , and a wor d of thank s - for a hundred yea rs of splendid se rvic e to mankind
AWARDS
January 1 to March 31, 1976
ASSOCIA nON
Meritorious First Aid Certificate
Police Sergeant Scull, Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Police Constable Holliday , Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
BRIGAD E
Meritorious Service Certificate
Cadet Leader Nicola Gilbert , Launc es ton Nursing Cadet Division , County of Cornwall.
Letter of Commendation
Cadet Corporal Pau Buckley Batley Ambulance Cadet Division County of South & Wes t Yorkshire
Cadet Corporal Alison Copley, Batle y Nursing Cadet Di v s ion County of South & West Yorkshire.
Ambulance Member P A. Wood
Mildenh a ll A, N , A / C & N / C Di visio n County of Suffolk.
Ambulance Member W. Laming , Mildenhall A N, A / C & N / C Di v is ion, Count y of Suffolk.
Ambulance Member Henr y Erbe , Steven age C hell s Ambulance and Nursin g Divi s ion County of Hertford.
St. John Ophthalmi'c Hospital calling . ..
VI P visitor from home
During her March tour of the Middle Eas t Mrs. Margaret Thatcher , Leader of Conser va tive Part y, visited the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital, where s he met sta ff and patients, and s howed great interest in all aSpleets of the work of the Order in Jerusalem.
Mrs Thatcher, who was particularly
interested in the hospital' s new Central Sterile Supply Department , was acco mpani ed on her tour b y the Warden and Chief Sur geo n, Dr. ' Keith Batten, Matron Miss Jennifer C la ir , Superintendent Mr. Is sa Marog i, and her Parliamentar y Private Secretary and Pre ss Secretary.
To Cyprus
Meeting everyone connected with St. John on the island - especiaUy the refugee camp first-aiders
At Akrotiri the C-in-C later presented certificates to the 50-strong Combined Cadet Division, under its Div/Supt. FIt. Officer Anne Eastwood.
At Dhekelia, during lunch, Gen. Gordon met senior members of the St. John Council and the Brigade from Nicosia. He also visited local Brigade members.
In Nicosia the C-in-C, as well as meeting HE The High Commissioner, senior members of Nicosia's community, St. John Council members and HQ staff, attended a paliade of 120 cadets of the four divisions at the English School.
The C-in-C arrives at RAF Akrotiri, to be greeted by the station commander Group Captain Cook
THE C-in-C, Major General Desmond Gordon, made a 4-day visit to St. John in Cyprus during early March, spending two days in the Sovereign Base Areas and two days in Nicosia and Larnaca. In the Sovereign Base Areas (the GOC, General Corran Purdon, is a member of the Order), the C-in-C visited the Medical Centre outside Akrotiri where Sgt Kearney RAMC (ex-Aldershot Division, 1974/75) is running an Association class and intends to form a Combined Division shortly.
Gen. Gordon then went back to Dhekelia to visit a refugee camp (people from the F amagusta area) in which a nursing division of 24 members has been formed. Wearing home-made white aprons - and awaiting their St. John badges from the UK - the Cin-C presented these indomitably spirited meli1i1bers with tangible proof of their efforts - their first aid certificates. For these small groups - SJA divisions formed in each of the refugee camps of the Dhekelia area by
After presenting to
two divisional superintendents, the brother Zodhiates - look after the first aid needs of the displaced people We salute this fine work sorely needed in an island by
A change in fortunes
for SJ A Ossett . . ' .
SIX MONTHS ago SJA Ossett (population 17,000), in South and West Yorkshire, had 7 boys in its ambulance cadet division and 7 girls in its nursing cadet division. Something was wrong, Divisional Superintendent A. P. Oldroyd concluded So a meeting was called and it was decided to combine the two cadet divisions and hold mixed classes
The result? Membership immediately began to increase - not in pairs, as with the Ark, but simply more and more youngsters of the town began to take an interest in St. John. This interest then caught the attention of two 19-year-old ex-cadets - Neil Duncan and Clive MacheIl, who are now officers of the new combined division. Six months 'after the change the Division has 45 members, with many about to move into the adult division.
The secret of their success may also be due to other factors, admits Div. Supt. Oldroyd. Instead of the weekly first aid class, once a month cadets are taken on a visit to the fire station, film shows, and talks by polke, safety officers, etc. Also a condition of one of the Division's annual trophies is attendance And attendances at Ossett are remarkably high.
13-year-old Mark Fishwick 4 years in Ossett Cadet Division receives Cadet o the Year trophy from its donor Mrs. D. G. Goldthorpe of- Horbury, whose father had long SJA assoc iations
eyed and bushy tailed - that's Ossett Combined Cadet Division, having leapt from 14 to 45 members in 6
Here , they re at a party evening. Enjoy yourselves - gals and fellas
With members of the staff (and divisions) of the English School , N cosia
internal troubles.
From Cyprus the C -in - C went on to visit the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem.
CAIRN BUILDERS
You may recall reading in the Review of the visit of the Commissioner-in-Chief to the Northwest Territories of Canada last year to dedicate a cairn, in the name of the Brigade in the United Kingdom.
As a result of this visit I hear that a project has been agreed with the Priory of Canada for another cairn to be sited this summer. It will be built and dedicated by a party of young adult members of the Brigade from England and Canada.
The Priory of Canada has arranged through the Royal Canadian Air Force for six young members, of both sexes, to be flown without cost via Ottawa to Edmonton, Alberta, and then on to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. They will leave from Gatwick on July 26 and return on August 9.
HELP FROM RACING
Doncaster SJA Association branch has, I hear, agreed to buy two vehicles specifically to meet race-course first aid requirements, as a result of the Doncaster Council recommendation to pay the Association branch £ 1,250 for race-course coverage in 1976-77.
HAPPY RETU RNS
Belatedly, happy birthday to retired SJA Sgt. Major Charles Vincent, of St. Werburghs, Bristol - who was 90 on March 31. Charles, who joined the Brigade in 1922 and b ecame corps sergeant major of the City of Bristol Corps in 1928, became County sergeant major in 1937. He is an Officer Brother of the Order and was awarded the BEM for Brigade services in 1962. Retiring from the Brigade in 1965 after 43 years' service, Charles was thought to be the
ST JOHN JOINS ST JOHN
AROUND and ABOUT
WHAT/S GOING ON IN THE
WORLD OF ST. JOHN
country's longest serving Brigade sergeant major. Good health, Charlie!
GOOD EATING
SJA North Yorkshire president Lady Zetland is hiring a cordon bleu cook for a day to demonstrate to 150 guests and friends nice things to do with crab, trout and lamb - at her Richmond, Yorks, home. Proceeds go to SJA North Yorks. Yum -yum.
ON THE UP
From Cornwall it's nice to hear that Brigade strength increased during 1975 by 184 to 2,235 members; and the county now has 21 ambulance vehicles, two divisions replaced their ambulances last year, and three others are planned for renewal.
NEW BOAT
SJA Pembrokeshire's beach and inshore rescue unit is to get a new inflatable boat this summer, to be based at Freshwater East, announced Mr. M. R. L. Hayes, chairman of the St. John Council for Pembrokeshire.
A tongue twister indeed. St John joins
BY THE EDITOR
HURRY UP
First aid in the 1977 Urdd National Eisteddfod at Barry may soon be able to study the text books in Welsh as well as English, I hear. As no Welsh translations of the text books are available, Urdd officials are trying to get the books translated in time for the event.
INFLUENCING
A funny thing happened on the way home from the hospital Our C-in-C, it seems, is fond of avocado pear , and on a recent visit to the Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem he happened to mention to one of the staff there that he'd like to buy some to take home.
As departure time approached the avocados arrived - an enormous basket of them , each three times as big as we see in England. But as I said, our C -in-C is fond of avocados, so determinedly he packed all the goodies into his bulging grips.
All went well until he got to Israel's international airport, where everyone's baggage is searched (you know for what). So one by one out came the avocaQos onto the
Sir John! Untangled Chelmsford MP Norman St. JohnStevas was made president of Chelmsford Nurs ng D ivision and received his badge and warrant (below) from Ld. Lieut. of Essex, Sir Ess ex Chronicle
MIND BENDERS
Find ,he first aid word o r words in the clue The number or letter s in the answer is given. To get you used to the idea. I'll give you the first answer.
CLUE: Two girls on your knee (3,4).
ANSWER: PAT -ELLA.
I. It's a skill, if you make way for one. (5).
2. Song said, or find out what's wrong. (9).
3. Mixed team in the Trent. (9).
4. Small explosion part of a word game, why. (8).
Answers: - Upside down - are at bottom of Jilage 107. No cheating.
security counter - to be shaken and pressed, just in case there was anything inside them (other than avocado, of course) . The C-in-C's delicacies passed the scrutiny He repacked them. And got them safely home. And as far as I know he's still enjoying them. But they can't last for ever. So if you do want to influence the C-in-C in the near future Psss! - keep it to yourself
COMMISSIONER-ESS
The third woman Area Commissioner to be appointed in SJ A, and the first in Hampshire, is Mrs. Evelyn Bryant SRN, who Commissioner Central Area Hampshire. '
THANKS MATERO
Doncaster Area Staff Officer Miss D. Keeton writes to say that she had a holiday of a lifetime last February, when she visited mer old friend Mrs. Margaret Cummins and her husband and family in Lusaka, Zambia. Sl!Itty, as Margaret is known, was Officer of Cadets at Doncaster's Hickleton Main Corps until September 1974 , when the Cummins family left for Lusaka. For her first six months in Zambia, Sutty helped at the local Red Cross because she could find no trace of St. John activities in Lusaka. nen one she came across a derelict St. Jomn ambulance, and further enquiries led her to Mr. Banda MP, who introduced her to
Retiring County President, the Duke of Beaufor t (centre), instructs Transport Officer Alan Ecroyd to formally call n emergency vehicles by radio link to the new garage at SJA county HQ at Bristol after he had handed he keys to Professor Dennis Norton (left), Area Commissioner for Bristol and North Avon. (Photo: Bristol Evening Post )
GRIN AND TONIC GIRL
M eel our Catherine Hennin superintendant of Chatham Nursing Cadets at work as a health visitor based at Ma idsto ne 'A grin and to n ic girl: local press has dubbed her Catherine, 25, also works with the SJA Aeromedical Servi ce, ha vi ng made a mercy dash to Israel rece ntly , and to Be lg ium last year for another patien t. A to ni c indeed That smile would make anyone fee better. (P hoto : Kent Messeng er)
Majmr H S. Schreiber (right), retiring as Commander of Suffo k after 25 years of SJ service , s presente d with an engraved glass bowl from SJA Suffolk by his successor, Lt. Col. P 51. G. Ma x well. I Photo: East Anglian Daily Tim es)
the SJ A Division at nearby Matero, who welcomed her with open arms.
Miss Kreton went to all the Division's classes (caGlets and women) while she was in Zambia and met all the members, who sang and danced for her in a welcome 'fit for a queen'.
with 12 others that had
Sutty is helped in running the division by a 21-year-old ambulance member , Richard Nyendwa, who translates for the nursing members who do not speak English, Most of the youngsters in the division speak English, so Sutty has less of a problem with them,
(Left) Nailsea (Somerset) SJA with the ir new mobile first a d unit the final £400 for the purchase was handed to them recently by Nailsea and Cleveland Round Tablers Thanks Tablers (P ho to: South Avon MercurY)
The Division has only about a dozen triangular bandages - no other equipment - so Miss Keeton presented them with two dozen first aid books as a gift from S-E Area, Yorkshire.
The Division does public duties, attends parades, and helps at the local hospital; also many of the women are very interested in European cooking, so Sutty often gives them lessons in the Centre kitchen
Before leaving Zambia, Miss Keeton met the Commissioner, Mr. Fabiona Chella , who is the Inspector General of Police Mr. Chella was very touched by the gift to thle Division and Miss Keeton not to forget them on her return home. Miss Keeton sends her regards to Matera - and thanks for a wonderful time.
(Below) A mobile first aid unit has also been presented to SJA Crawley (Sussex) by the town 's Round Table. (Left) The Tablers president, Dr. Dennis New ey , hands over the vehicle t;o Div Sup!. G. F. Tidy The uni t has excellent working space and internal water su pply. Thanks again, Tablers (Photos Crawley Observer)
At a roecent Avon St. John fashion show presented by Marks and Spencer Ltd that raised £1,500 for Avon SJA's HQ (L to R) Mrs. Joan Bourns (chairman, show committee), Sir John and Lady Jane Wills (c0unty president), and Mr Herbert (COl!llilty director Ass®ciation)
BLOOD BOILER?
Fifty pounds worth of damage to two St. John ambulances at Bishops Stortford was the recent contribution by vandals to the SJA men Elrod women of this Hertfordshire t0wn who sFlend their free time trying to help others.
Make your blood boil? - Or should we just say: 'Well, we can't win 'em all?
CASH
Celebrating their 50th year, SJA Filey, , Yorks - the Division which has always had links with the local lifeboat - were recently presented with £417 by Filey Rotary Club. Thanks, Rotarians.
100 NEW CADETS
Central Area, SJ A Hampshire recently held its biggest enrolment service for two years at Ramsey Abbey, when 100 ambulance and nursing cadets were recruited.
MOBILITY
A reconditioned ambulance and equipment valued at over £ I ,000 was recently given to Devon's South Molton Division by the local Lions Club,
And Shropshire's Ludlow Division recently obtained its own ambulance after 2Y2 years of fund -raising.
SPASTICS
Castle Priory College, the Wallingford, Berkshire, training centre of The Spastics Society, was opened in 1965 to provide training facilities for its stafT, but today it offers seminars and courses , on widely aspects of the education , care, treatment a ro d training of handicapped adults and childrem.
Programmes of courses can be obtained from The Spastics Society, 12 Park Crescent, London, WIN 4EQ.
FINISHED
After more than 26 years of indurtrial nt!llfsing, James Hopewell, SEN, a Serving BFother of the Order , has retired from the firm of Taylor Bros. Midland Foundry, Sa mdiacre, nr. Nottingham. Happy retirement, Jimmy!
MIND BENDERS (answers) -. ',\xaldodV '17 lual!lll1laJ1. T 'slsoulll1l0 .z: '!lnljS 1
CUT PRICE
A few slightly -w orn but otherwise excellent prints of the 16mm film The Order of St. John, which was originally sold to S1. John counties for £100 a copy in 1973, are available at £50 a copy from the Visual Aids Section , St. John Ambulance HQ , 1
Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW1 X 7EF OUCH!
SJ A Croydon I hear , recently sent out an invitation to the press to attend its meeting , the final sentence of which ran (and it made the local paper): 'Our guest speaker Prof.
INVALID CARE
The first payments for Invalid Care Allowance - the new benefit for people who c annot work because they have to care for their relatives · who are invalids (in other words, they take the strain ofT the National Health) - will be mad€ in Britain on July 5 , announces the Department of Health and Social Security. About time too , some say.
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
AFTER FIVE YEARS' service in the headquarters secretariat of the S1. John and Red Cross Joint War Organisation , Miss Queenie Law moved to St. John Ambulance HQ in September 1945 and in the following
April she was promoted to become personal secretary jointly to General Sir Clive Liddell (Director of Ambulance and Acting Chief Commissioner) , Lt. -G en. Sir Henry Pownall (Deputy Chief Commissioner) and Major Darvil-Smith (Brigade S€cretary and Acting Chief Officer for Ambulance Cadets).
Following the retirement of Sir Clive Liddell as Chief Commissioner in 1948 and the institution of the office of Commissionerin -C bief, Miss Law served as personal secretary to the first four h01ders of that office (Lt. -Gen, Sir Otto Lund , Major -Gen, J, M. Kirkman, Rear Admiral Royer Dick
and Lt.-Gen, Sir William Pike) and subsequently, for the past three years until her retirement last month , as personal assis tant to the first two Chief Commanders (Sir William Pike and Sir Maurice Dorman). In addition to these duties she has for the past 25 years been of incalculable assistance to success ive Deputy Commissioners-inChief, in their capacity as chairmen of the Bri ga de Investigation Committee, by carrying out with the most exemplary tact and efficienc y all the secretarial work of that committee, and has maintained all HQ regi sters and correspondence connected with memb e rship of the Order , National Honours and Grand Prior appointments. She was herself a dmitted to the Ord€r in the grade of Serving Sister in 1951, promoted to the grade of Officer in 1957 and to that of Commander in 1972,
Noel Dilly , will be speaking on first aid in awkward places with illustrated slides.'
AT RANDOM
Back-room girl
Any mere list of official duties and responsibilities - even as imposing a list as the one given above - is totally inadequate to describe the personality of the holder of the office: nor can any other form of words get very far in filling in the gaps. One has to work with a person, day in and day out, in fair weather al'ld in foul , to know their true worth. Only those who had the privilege of working with Miss Law know how splendid an example she was of the perfect backroom girl' with outstanding qualities of loyalty, efficiency, unf1appability and discretion: to her, confidential work really was confidential.
Her work covered the whole range of the Commissioner-in-Chiefs and subsequently the Chief Commander's correspondence with the Chancery of the Order, with counties as well as Priories and other overseas branches, and with the many outside organisations with whkh these officers correspond. She also looked after their engagements and never within memory got these tangled up; and she was particularly adept at running the boss to earth when -he was away from the office and some urgent need for contacting him arose. She loved her work , and no task even remotely connected with it was ever too much for her to undertake. It would have been terribly easy for anyone possessing her long experience and efficiency in so highly responsible and confidential a post to become a dfagon in the office and to try to dictate to each newcomer - whether boss or underling - how his job should be done ; but anyone less dictatorial or dragon-like than Miss Law it would be utterly impossible to imagine!
She possessed a rare combination of outstanding efficiency with the modest and unassuming nature whiCH she retained to the very last day of her 35 years' devoted service to St. John. In a sense she is irreplaceable; and yet she will be replaced, and the tasks she performed will be shared by others ; those who knew her will be inspired by that knowledge to emulate her standards.
May she· enjoy many years of happy retirement, keeping house for her bwther in the new home that they are hoping to find somewhere by the sea, fully assured of the good wishes, gratitude and affection of all who had the privilege of working with her at Grosvenor Crescent.
GORe fishing
On the first page of this issue Sir William Pike has paid tribute to Brigadier Aubrey Miller who retires this month as Chief
Secretary of St. John Ambulance. As a relative newcomer to headquarters I should like to add my personal gratitude for the imm e nse amount that he has done to help me during the 4Y2 years tmat I have been he lie .on many oocasions when I've been stumped over some problem my first thought has been "Ask Aubrey" , and I have never asked in vain; even when no complete answer has been possible I've always been able to rely gn his sound advice and wise guidance.
We shall all miss him sorely - h-is humour as well as his wisdom , his masterly skill in draftil'lg conference reports and his thumb-nail sketches and other artistic embellishments to documents of less weighty import. It is inconceivable that in his retirement he will lose all contact with St. John Ambulance or that if at any time we at headquarters should find ourselves in deep water he would not lay aside his fishing rod for long enough to throw us a life-line wnd bring us safely to the shore
Getting the message across
I have recentl y had three weekends in succession visiting Brigade training events of one sort or another in Warwickshire , Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, and I've another coming up shortly in Hereford and Worcester. I always find these occasions very inspiring , especially when they're as well run as those that I've attended lately, and I particularly enjoy the opportunities that they give me of meeting individual members of our family , both young and old, and of seeing or hearing at first hand about the splendid work that they're doing. But I'm !;ometimes saddened by the total ignorance of all too many Brigade members about what's going on in St. John outside th eir own immediate neighbourhood.
However admirably we may cultivate our own cabbage -patch we all benefit by looking beyond the boundaries that confine it; and I personally regard one of my most important duties as a visiting headquarters officer to be passing on information about what St. John is doing elsewhere , and encouraging our members to LOOK WIDE. Only thus can we learn from each other about ways of developing our training on more adventurous lines and extending the scope of our service; only thus can we ensure that our younger adult members are aware of the opportuflities for training service and adventure made available for them on a .!1ational .and sometimes even international basis ; only th us can we present our cadets with a challenge to look forward to , so that in their enthusiasm they can hardly wait for the day when they're old enough to be promoted to adult divisions and can more fully respond to that challenge.
Far the best way of gettimg the message across is by direct face -to -face encounter and that's one of the reasons why I so much
enjoy meeting relatively small groups of Brigade members in different parts of the country; but the number of us at HQ who are available to do this is very limited, and e ml[ availability is st ill further Iiestric t ed by many official and routilile duties which often have to take pride of place.
So when we can't be there - which is all too often - the responsibility for 'injecting' information and enthusiasm lies with the Commissioner and his staff, but still more with the Divisional Superintendent who is always on the spot. This means that Ule Superintendent himself (Of herself) musl already possess the enthusiasm and must be well informed about what's going on. To give but one recent example , if Div. Supt. Mrs. Reeve of Salisbury Combined Division hadn't possessed that kind of inspiring initiative, N / M Clare Tilley would never have gone on a tr3!ining cruise on the schooner ' Sir Winston Churchill' last November (see March Review , p 50)
The Review certainly ought to be one of our best means of communicating information of this kind to Superintendents to pass on, but this can't happen so long as there are many divisions which ignore the Commissioner -in -Chiefs directive in Brigade General Circular just over a year ago to the effect that every division (both adult and cadet) should subscribe to at least one copy of the Review as a legitimate charge on divisional funds. Mr. J. E. Smith in the March issue , p. 66 suggested three copies , but the C -in -C feels that one would be enough to insist on , provided that people really read it.
Now please don't accuse me of slamming you , who do read the Review, for the omissions of those who don't! What I'm asking you to do is to be its apostles ', going out and converting , as a result of your own personal experience and conviction , others who (maybe through no fault of their own) are still in ignorance of its value. Which reminds me to say a special thank -you to Miss Ronaasen (April issue , p. 91) for doing just that in the squelch and downpour at Biggin Hill last year. I'm sure she knows that London District have by now their own st. John River Patrol in action , thanks partIy to the lead she gave by telling the story of the Reading River Patrol in the Review
Not long ago I was asked to talk to a group of cadets on 'The Path to Advent\!lue' , and I spent most of my time quoting extracts about adventurous activities from the last six issues of the Review. On another occasion an Ambulance Member to whom I'd given a complimentary copy thanked me profusely , saying that he'd been in the Brigade for 15 years and owing to changes in his place of wo rk had been a member of three different divisions, and this was the first time he'd even heard that St. John had a magazine , Softlee , softlee, catchee monkey!
(Le h ) A sil ver cigarett e
DOWN AT THE OLD BULL AND
LONDON S Royal Festival Hall was packed on March 13 for Roger Whittaker ' s In Concert with Saffron a pop folk-music evening in aid of St. John.
Host of the evening was the Order's Chancellor Sir Gilbert Inglefield who must have found the music a little different from his own performances at the Festival Hall with The London Choral Society , but he (and others) were soon on more familiar ground when the g r oup broke into Early One Morning and an up-dated version of Brahm s Lullab y In traditional Bull and Bush style , Roger
Whittaker soon got his audience joining in the chorus and clapping to such numbers as Durham Town and New World in the Morning.
In all it was a great evening , with Lady Brecknock and Lady Moyra Browne helping the SJ programme sellers , the C-in-C holding his own at whistling , and Roger Whittaker and his Saffron Group (drummer Quinny Lawrence) giving their tafents to help St. John T hanks , Music -Makers Hope to see you a g ain soon.
Oral hygiene
There is no reason why an ill person by KATE WILKINSON, should also suffer from an infected mouth.
SRN, ON (Lond.), ReNT, RWT, Derbyshire, Peak Area Nursing Officer
NORMALLY the mouth is kept clean by regular cleaning. The mechanism of chewing food cleans the teeth, and the constant flow of saliva aids this process, as does the regular use of toothbrushes and toothpicks. When patients are ill or confined to bed it is essential that the nurse provides the means for them to clean their mouths. For many patients all that is required is their own toothbrush, paste, a bowl and water. In other cases, however, the patient may be too weak, too ill Qf eoruused to attend to his OWFl mouth care so the nurse must clean it for him.
The main reason for keeping the patient's mouth clean is that minute particles of food left in the mouth start to decompose.
Bacteria grow and multiply in warm damp conditions, where there is an ample supply of food materials available. A neglected mouth is the perfect environment for bacterial growth.
Why is oral hygiene so important?
In order that we as nurses can understand why oral hygiene is so important we must first review the basic structure of the mouth and the structures close to it. You may recall that the mouth is often described as the
common pathway for food and air (Fig. 1).
Notice how the glands have open ducts which enter iJi1to the mouth (Fig. 2). The parotid gland opens just above the upper back teeth, and the other two glands open below the tongue. These glands are important as between them they produce between 1 to 1 Y2 litres of saliva a day! Saliva is important because: it cleans the teeth of minute food particles as it washes over them; it keeps the softer parts of the mouth lubricated and makes them pliable for speech; it softens the food we eat, and makes it easy to swallow.
The spread of bacteria If the mouth is neglected and bacteria are allowed to grow, they can spread to the tissues in the mouth, and to structures near it. (Fig. 3).
Infections of the tongue are most painful, and often the infection which attacks the tongue is a fungus - thrush. Infection can spread up the duct of the parotid gland and can cause a very painful swelling of the gland. (This is the same gland which swells when children develop mumps). Infection may also spread down the ducts below the tongue, and if any of these ducts become
blocked, the flow of saliva is reduced or stopped The tonsils and adenoids may become infected, also the back of the throat.
As any food or liCijuid passing over the tongue can become infected with bacteria, gastric upsets and diarrhoea are com mono Infection may spread down the trachea causing tracheitis or even pneumonia The patient experiences a foul taste in his mouth and the breath becomes unpleasant. There is a loss of taste followed by a loss of appetite. These complications can arise very quickly in an ill patient - perhaps two days. The results of neglected oral hygiene are not only unpleasant for the patient, they are dangerous It is the nurse 's responsibility to see that the patient is subjected to as little suffering as possible , and these complications can be avoided by good nursing care.
How can infections of the mouth be prevented?
Having considered how oral infections can arise and the structures involved we are now in a position to prevent complications.
Identification of patients at risk
The most obviously 'at risk' patients are those who are very ill. The unconscious
patient will require oral hygiene at least twohourly. The patient who is dying will need extra special care during his last days. The patient who has suffered a stroke may have of one side of the face and food can collect in the space between the teeth and the cheeks Special care is needed to ensure that food particles are removed when cleaning. The patient who is unable to eat or drink is at risk, also the patient who is having a milk only diet. In hospital , doctors and nurses recognise yet another group of patients who are at risk. These patients are referred to as ' mouth breathers'. There are patients with asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia who often breathe through their mouth and not through their noses. The passage of air over the delicate structures of the mouth has a drying effect on the mucosa. Try this effect for yourselves. Breathe in and out through the mouth several times
The mouth and tongue will become dry and Vin e lips wiiJ lose their pliability. It will become difficult to swallow. Drying of the mucosa causes the lips and tongue to crack - bacteria can gain entry into these structures and cause infection
Reduction in the flow of saliva increases the risk of oral infections The flow can be reduced by the body in many circumstances. The child or adult with a high fever will 'Jose body fluid through sweating , and the body tries to correct this balance by producing less urine - and less saliva Many drugs prescribed by doctors have a side effect of drying up the flow of saliva, such as ant ihistamines freq uently ordered for allergic conditions.
General principles of oral care
1ii'he mouth of an ill patient should be cleaned frequently enough to keep the mouth pink and moist and the breath odourless It may be necessary tei clean it as often as twohourly , or as little as four-hourly
The lotions most commonly used are sodium bicarbonate (which will remove hardened secretions), glycerine of thymol (a mild and a soft lubricatirog cream
Such as laliloline to protect the lips.
Great care should be taken when cleaning
tonsils
A
the mouth Gentleness is of prime importance, since the mouth is a delicate structure and can be easily damaged
At the back of the throat is a muscular structure called the uvula (Fig. 4). The nurse should avoid touching this when cleaning the mouth since stimulation elf this area may cause the patient to retch or vomit. Swabs should be firmly attached to the forceps when cleaning the mouth , since when a damp swab is placed in the mouth the patient has a tendency to 'suck' at the swab. A loose swab could be inhaled and cause damage to or a blockage in the respiratory tract. For the same reason swabs should be damp but NOT wet. Excessive fluid could trickle down the trachea and contribute to respiratory infection.
As well as cleaning the mouth it is most important to maintain the flow of saliva at all times. This can be achieved in various ways. If the doctor allows ,' extra fluid may be given Plain water is useful, or any drink with a lemon or lime base. Lemon is slightly bitter and stimulates the salivary glands very well indeed. Home -made lemon drinks with added glucose for extra energy can be given , and the very ill patient will appreciate this personal touch.
If the patient has false teeth, these should be washed and brushed under cold running water each time the mouth is treated. They may be soaked overnight in a suitable solution. If the patient's condition permits he
HUNT FUND RAISING
should be encouraged to clean his own teeth. Little has been said about the danger of tooth decay as a result of neglected oral hygiene. This, of course, can and does happen, but dental decay takes longer to manifest itself than do the other complications
Finally , the home nurse should remember that however good the doctor's prescription, it is nurse who is responsible for the comfort and the personal care of the patient. It is t he small acts of kindness and personal caring , as well as skilled nursing , that makes an illness bearable There is no reason why an ill person should be subjected to added discomforts resulting .from an infected mouth espec{ally as we know how to prevent it from happening.
Suggestions for class instructional sessions
(1) Set trays for oral hygiene and clean each other 's mouths - it is surprising how skills can be developed with helpful suggestions from colleagues!
(2) Discuss the anatomy and physiology and try and think of more ways to stimulate saliva flow. Discuss WHY nursing procedures are done , instead of just HOW they are done.
(3) Try and consider the patient as a 'whole'. What other nursing care would be required for this patient and how would this one procedure fit in with the daily routine?
Fig. 1. The nose and mouth. Note in particular
the nasal cavity and the mouth are joined by
Fig. 2 The position of the sa ivary glands. In all we have three pairs of glands - three glands on each side of the face
Fig 3 Some of the structures which
Tandem rear wheels are used for greater patient comfort - obviously essential fm long journeys and where road surfaces may not always be good
THE EMCARE ambulance is a new concept in ambulance design developed and produced in Adelaide by the St. Jo1m Council for South Australia. The term 'Em care' is short for emergency care, the assistance given to patients prior to arrival at hospital or other medical care.
In the design, prime consideration has been given to the provision of greater patient
comfort and improved facilities for specialised care of the seriously ill or injured while being transported to hospital. Although specifically designed for the intensive care of an emergency case , with the trolley-type stretcher centred in the vehicle and so enabling treatment to be given from either side or at the patient's head, the vehicle can be quickly converted to carry (Left) Rear ramp lea Ging to a very
Ambulance from Down Under
Powerful vehicle developed by St. John in South Australia
two standard stretchers for normal or routine transport. In addition it is possible, as the need arises, to accommodate a patient in a hospital bed, or two wheelchair patients.
The vehicle has tandem rear wheels which results in greater patient comfort and reduces sway and roll. This unique feature has enabled the body to be lengthened and the floor behind the rear wheels lowered to increase working height. The raised roof also gives additional room and is an improvement on the first prototype model, which has now been in service in Adelaide and on trial in country areas for the past eighteen months.
The body of the ambulance has been designed to conform as near as possible to the World Health Organisation standards for ambulance design. It is wider than the
conventional South Australian ambulance and has an internal height of 72 inches With this greater working height, a stretcher on wheels which can be locked in posi,tion can be used for a single patient at table height. Ambulance attendants or as circumstances dictate, a medical team, can care for the patient far more efficiently than in the conventional ambulance. Air conditioning and fluorescent lighting is provided. Several items of new equipment, including blood pressure apparatus, have been introduced. Provision has also been made for the inclusion of sophisticated heart monitoring equipment in the future.
General features
I. Holden one ton chassis with an additional pair of wheels behind the driving wheels.
2. Automatic transmission with V8 5 litre motor, with inbuilt air conditioning and dual charge electrical system.
3. Length 19ft. 6ins.
4. I n the one -stretcher configuration , two or three people can work at the head of the patient in a standing position (NB: all patients are loaded feet first)
5. The two -stretcher configuration, again with patients loaded feet first, gives excellent accessability to the patients.
6. The main stretcher was designed in the St. J oh n workshop in Adelaide and has eight wheels. For the two - stretcher configuration the forward and aft legs are folded. With the one-stretcher set up for
emergency purposes , the patient can be wheeled up the ramp into the central position. Obviously with a stretcher at this height it is much easier to maintain oxygen flow etc, while the patient is being wheeled on the stretcher.
7. The vehicle has been road tested by Gov ernment Road Engineers, who found that it travelled at high speeds with complete safety. The vehicle has
c ompleted all safety tests.
8. The vehicle ha s been favourably received by Government major hospitals and specialists particularly in the resuscitation field.
The co s t o f the Emcare ambulance is considerabl y more than the standard Holden am bulance , but it s outstanding p atient care features more than compensate for this outlay.
Divisional Suprintendent Mrs. Doreen Matthews is rightly proud of her girls of Chester Nursing Cadet Division - all 62 of them , which makes this the biggest N / C division in Cheshire. And one of the happiest , if faces on presentation day are anything to go by (photo above). This contented divis on comprises 3 sergeants 6
corporals , 29 cadets , 22 probationers and 2 juniors With Sgt. Elaine Scoley (above left), who collected the 1975 Chester Nursing Cadet C up of the Year from D / Comrnissioner H. C. Hemming also due for her Grand Prior Award. Look after yourselves, girls.
Photos Lynton Bart on C h eSle
S! JO
READERS VIEWS
Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundations Although readers may sign published letters with a pen name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor.
ANORAK
from W. L. Nimmo, Div. Supt.
I was int€rested to read Mr Roberts' letter in the March Review suggesting the use by ambulance officers and members of a jacket similar to that now supplied for cadets, and agree that we cannot afford these days to replace uniforms frequently.
There are, of course, the men's special duty jacket and trousers available at a very reasonable price, but these are not, 1. feel, particularly smart, provide no warmth and are only available in a very limited range of sizes.
May I suggest that a smart and very useful item of uniform would be a black, proofed anorak, similar to that approved for nursing members. This could be worn with black uniform trousers, over or in place of a tunic, and would be both warm and waterpro0f. It would be an ideal alternative to the raincoat, which is not the most practical garment for use on Public Duty when one is frequently called upon to crouch on wet ground and in muddy fields, with the result that the lower half of the coat soon becomes soiled.
The anorak is already used by the Services and some Police Forces, and I feel sure that many of us would welcome its introduction in the Brigade.
Godstone, Surrey W. L. Nimmo
HELP!
from David Williams, Superintendent
C an Review readers help our Division's recently opened appeal to obtain an estate car ambulance through the Green Shield Stamp community savings group? We shall require 5,000 books of Green Shield stamps, and any contribution towards this total would be most appreciated. This is the Division's golden jubilee year and we are determin€d to get mobile.
Supt. CardifJCastle Division, David Williams Priory for Wales, Lisvan(! Rd, Llanishen, Cardiff.
MALTA HOLIDAY
from B. W. J. CutclitTe, County Secretary
In 1974 and 1975 the Review published letters of mine regarding visits of Brigade members, their families and friends, from Avon to Malta, as a result of which we included in the party this year members from Devon, Essex, Kent, London, Middlesex, Oxford, Somerset, SUIirey and Sussex, and spent g never-to-be-forgotten days on the island.
May I give readers some idea of the wonderful hospitality extended to us by members in Malta, and in particular Corps Superintendent Edward Tortell and Divisional Officer Vincent Bugeja, in the hope that other pe0ple will organise a holiday in the 'Island of the Knights' We left in two parties - one from Luton, the other from Bristoland were met at Luqa airport by members from No.3 Corps. An official visit was made to Brigade Headquarters where we were entertained by the Commissioner, Mr. Edwin Borg, and other officers including Dr. R. L. Cheverton, one time Deputy Commissioner in Bristol.
Getting Together in Germany
M alta s No 3 Corps gave a party for the members from Britain. (Photo : Louis F Tortell)
We were invited to a wine and cheese party given by No.3 Corps and were hosts to our friends in our hotel on the day before departure
During our stay on the island visits with our friends were made to many places of interest and a large contingent came to Luqa to bid us 'bon voyage' when we left.
Without exception members of the party were delighted with the arrangements made by members of the Brigade in Malta and were overwhelmed with the friendliness shown by everyone on the island.
Many of us intend to visit the island again in our centenary year and we hope to entertain a number of our Maltese friends who intend visiting this country next year for our celebrations.
If any of your readers want any help or advice in , organising a holiday to Malta I shall be only too delighted to give them full details of the arrangements we made. Alternatively if they would like to come with us next year to see for themselves what a wonderful time we have , I will gladly send them all the information as soon as it is av aiiabie.
62 Charnwood Road, B W. J. CutclifJe Whitchurch, Bristol, BSJ4 OJY.
Johanniter and British Army
medical unit form new link
THE MUNSTER branch of lohanniter -Unfall-Hilfe (Germany s St. John Ambulance) has just started what promises to be a fine example of good com munit y relations.
The story started when Raymond Andrews, the son of the assistant manager of the NAAFI shop in Portsmouth Barracks, Munster , took driving lessons to get his German driving licence A part of the driving instruction includes first aid , which is taught by the 10hanniter -UnfallHilfe. He became interested in the organisation, and with his father , Henry, joined it.
Mr. Henry Andrews then approached Captain Mike Cross of 3 I Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps , to find out in what ways the y could assist each other.
Both organisations a re about the same size. The lohanniter -UnfallHilfe detachment covers Munster , Rheine and Gelsenkirchen , and is approximately 150 st rong , consisting of 15 doctors, 20 nurses and the remainder first aid men. In addition to its first aid task s, the detachment is also a civil defence unit , trained in nuclear biological and chemical defence procedures. 31 Field Ambulance is a British Army unit approximately 120 strong consisting of four doctors (although tris can increase to 10), a dentist, and 50 medical assistants. [t acts, under field conditions , as an advanced first aid and minor surgical primary resuscitation unit , and can man six separate and se lfcontained tented medical sections which are deployed with battle groups to assist their own medical personnel. It is equipped, unlike the 10hanniter-U nfall -H ilfe , who have wheeled vehicles, with tracked armoured personnel carriers, specially converted for the task.
The first big get -together of the two organisations took place on November 29 1975. 31 Field Ambulance were the ho sts , and gave approximately 80 members of the 10hanniterUnhall - Hilfe a demonstration of one of their medical sections and the medical dressing station of the unit in action - complete with ' realistically 'casualties' - dealing with burns , broken bones and b ad teeth! They also took the opportunity to cement friendships by presenting eac h other with plaques to mark the occasion.
A more permanent side of the liaison is already showing itself in a first aid course, which is being organised and run b y instructor s from 31 Field Ambulance for British children taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, and using the excellent new facilities of the Johanniter - Unfall-Hilfe in their headquarters in Munster. They mave recently rebuilt and re -equipped their headquarters themselves.
This partnership is obviously showing signs of becoming a val uabl e exercise in the field of anglo -German medical co -operation. The next common venture is to be a joint exercise in the Munster area.
Johanniter members go for a ride in one of the Field
mbul an ce's arm o ured p ersonnel carrie rs
At th e demonstrat on (L to R) Mr. Henry Andrews (in his Johanniter Unfall Hilfe uniform)' Cap ain Mike Cross, Herr Thi ema nn , Raymo nd Andrews and Herr Fin nder. th e senior Johanniter U nfall Hilfe o fficer present
Staff Sergent Ri chardso n (centrel. th e NCO in command of the med ca dressing station. shows members of the Johanniter Unfall Hilfe ro un d th e dental tent
NEWS from SCOTLAND
A T PRESENT there is no satisfactory history of the Order of St. John in medieval Scotland. There are some interesting articles in scholarly journals, but these are scattered and hard to find and there is nothing even remotely satisfactory in book form. The brochure which is being produced for the exhibition in Edinburgh this summer will provide an interesting introductory account, but many questions cannot be covered in such a publication. At last , however, there is the real prospect of laying the essential foundations on which historians can build.
The Scottish History Society and the Order have agreed to back jointly the publication of a calendar that is a brief description of every surviving document on the medieval Hospitallers in Scotland; the most important documents will also be printed in full and there will be a long introduction clarifying as many topics as possible. The editors will be the Rev. P. H. R. Mackay of the Order , a past minister of Torphichen and the leading expert on the subject, and Dr. Cowan of Glasgow Un.iversity. Col. J. H Calder MacLeod, no mean historian himself as The Pri o r, Lord Aberdare (above) with members of Killay and
readers of his many articles in the Review will know has made a most generous donation towards the costs of publication. The result of all of this will be a really professional and important work that is certain to mean that we will know more about the Scottish Hospitallers then we do of the brothers in almost any locality in Europe, except for some commanderies in France and Spain which have had this sort of treatment. Scotland has the enthusiasm and expertise to put itself in the forefront of St. John studies.
Festival 1976
The annual festival will be held this year on June 24 in Stirling - at the Church of the Hol y Rude and followed by luncheon in Stirling castle
WALES
THREE young Brigade members from South Wales were among the crew of the schooner Malcolm Miller on the recent first a ll -SJ s ail - tr a ining crui s e from Por ts mouth
The y are K eith Dunn , aged 19 and a clerk from Newport , who is on the St. John HQ office staff; Stephen S n elling , 19 , al so of Newport , and a member of the Brigade for s ix year s; and Jon athan Ashbridge 16 of Penylan , Cardiff who is still at school a nd has been an adult member for a y ear.
The Brigade s Chief Training Officer for Wales Peter Harries said: We are delighted these lads w ere selected to take part in the trip .
Electricty Supply Amb. C .entre
Held Bournemouth March 23
Members of Bro Dyfi Division , the only all Welshspeaking SJA division were recently the guests of the city of S Hertogenbosch in North Brabant Netherlands, which was liberated by the 53 Welsh Infantry Division during the last War Bro Dyfi s Div Supt Oswald Davies served in the Division as a stretcher bearer and over the years a friendship between SJA Wales and the Dutch city has developed. During the trip Div. Supt Davies and !9 yeung adults visited a hospital and various youth organisations, and were given a civic reception by the Burgermaster A visit to Wales is now being planned
J ,/
app a r e nt a ft e r th e c asu-alt y attempts to v omi t. A third crew member can suppl y first aid ma terials blankets, etc. and an ambulan c e will arrive nine minute s aft er it has bee n summon ed from a quayside telephone
FAMILY DOCTOR BOOKLETS
Price 35p each, including postage, from Family Doctor Publications, 47-51 Chalton Street, London , N.W.l
T. have recentl y read three British Medical Association F amily Doctor booklets , each one of which can highly recommend to be read by the public at large and members of St. John in particular.
LlFE WITH DIABETES by Dr. Arnold Bloom, MD FRCP is an excellent booklet which should be read by all diabetics and by all aspiring members and members of St. John Who wish to take their current examinations in first aid. It gives · valuable nlints on all aspects - how to keep healthy
Individual Te8ts (6 min8 )
No. I
The
BOOKS
and how to a void and treat some of the main co mplications of this increasing again I emphasise , this increasing disease
EPILEPSY AND FITS by Dr. Desmond Pond , MD , FRCP DPM , and Dr. Eric H. Johnson , MRCS LRCP. This is a very lucid account of the current faults on epilepsy and fits and goes a long way in disposing of the time - honour ed fears and phobias attached to the word Epilep sy The booklet not only deals with causation , first aid treatment and the medical treatment of epilepsy but , more important to the public at large , it deals with the social aspects ie going to school, going to work , driving a motor car and marr age. This is a jolly good booklet and should be read not onl y by doctors and first -aiders, but b y the general public.
T.l.W.
A MATTER OF LIFE & DEATH
by P. N. Paterson-Brown
I read with interest Dr. P. M Paterson-
Brown's
J
He also mentions making a conscious person vomit, which is not the current treatment and is extremely difficult to do , and could be dangerous. Otherwise Dr Paterson-Brown s idea of a shortened booklet is interesting.
News from Divisions/Centres
OBITUARY
George D. Evans, 76, Divisional Officer (Rtd) No 4 Ley ton and Leytonstone Division. Joined Division in 1934. Serving Brother. Died March 24 1976.
Guildford Fairlands Combined D vision (above) cadet Sgt Wendy Barker collects her Grand Prior's badge from A/Comm. G. Kirkham and (left) the Division s first aid team, winners of the Gui l dford Corps ambulance cadet section for the County Finals. The team also finished first in the Western Area (Surrey) competitions. (Photo: Thomas W. Poole)
Dr. J. R. Jones, CBE, DC, HD and KStJ, 89, died recently in Hong Kong. Joined St. John Council, Hong Kong, in 1953; later Director of Association and then Chairman James Campbell Lynn, 74. Active with Novocastrian Division, Northumbria, which he joined 25 years ago, until a week before his death on March 19 1976.
Freddy (Tic h) Mounty, 71, of Bath City Division. 47 years in the Brigade. A wellknown figure at public duties in the Bath area, Tich was only about 5ft. tall.
w. G. Smith, OBE, KStJ. SJA Assistant Commissioner, Ireland, 1919; Commissioner No.4 District, 1938; Deputy Chairman, Joint Committee BRCS and St. JOAn POW parcels organisation during World War 2; Commissioner (temp.) for Eire, 1951. Died in Herefordshire.
who finished overall second, 1st and 2nd in the ambulance crew test, and 1 st in the individual test, at the recent County Brigade competitions. (Photo: Ricky MacGregor)
Derbyshire Glossop ambulance cadets looking very much at home in Child Care instruction 'They enjoy it tremendously'; says Div. Supt. David Travis
(Below) Chester nursing cadets (see article p.113) really getting
Marvellous
Croyden Corps: Coulsdon and Purley cadets (L to R) Sg1. Carol
Cumbria. Maryport cadets with officers
VISUAl AIDS
REVIEW CROSSWORD No.5 (76)
Compiled by W. A. Pott er
Across:
1. Modify Cain's ban for drug of addiction. (8). 8. Pituitary hormone stimulating contraction of 30 Across. (8). 9. The mile at sea. (8). 11. Sworn to tell the truth. (2.4). 12. To speak indistinctly is a disparagement. (4). 13. Incrustation covering a wound. (4). 15. Fellow with beard has Senior Service at heart (7). 17. Lies peculiarly surrounded by water. (4). 20. Senseless in a (5). 21. Formed by finger pressure on oedematous skin. (3). 22. Missile in 14 Down. (5). 23. Exhortation to a friend produces an iridescent stone. (4) 25. Natural habitat. (7).27. Girl hidden in a den. (4). 29. Split pea around five to make a stone footpath. (4). 30. Organ between the urinary bladder and rectum. (6). 32. Late rite arranged for those who are able to read and write. (8). 34. The scientific classification of diseases. (8). 35. Part oqhe pleura for bones of the skull. (8).
Down:
1. Heart failure characterised by cyanosis dyspnoea and oedema. (10) .' 2. It comes from north for parasite's egg. (3). 3. Causative organisms of diseases including anthrax, diphtheria and Sonne dysentery. (7). 4. Abdominal nerve plexus emanating from the sun. (5). 5. · Novice has nothing after a bad try. (4). 6. Part of the cerebro -spinal nervous system needed for Grand Prix racing? (5.5). 7. Surgeon who catalogued all his patients? (6). 10. Bone with cOfClnoid, olecranon and styloid processes. (4). 14. Tissue producing red and white blood corpuscles. (4.6). 15. Negative rays emitted by radio-active atoms. (4). 16. Shabby, having some fine hair on part of the foot? (4.2.4).18. Skin lesion resulting from upset of 31 Down. (4). 19. Feature under one's nose. (3). 24. The French tax or a muscle raising a part. (7). 26. Tool in mixture for external application. (6). 28. Facts for a union. (4). 29. Pedunculated tumour from a mucous surface. (5) 31 Cease to fill a dental cavity. (4). 33. Fish spawn for a small deer. (3).
The SJA Multi Media Appraisal Panel, which comprises doctors, nurses,first · aiders a nd l'isual a id exp er/ s is one of the ofJicial(l' appointed panels of the Brilish Medical Associalion. lIS reviews are also published in Ihe BMA In/o rmalion'.
Distributed by: Camera Talks Ltd., 31 North Row, London WIR 2EN.
Supervised by Dr. A. Ward Gardner
Content: This presentation is aimed at groups of children/young people entering the adolescent stage of their development. Notes are provided as a guide. It is assumed that basic biology has been taught to the children.
The presentation shows that adolescence is the period of time between sexual maturity and sexual activity - when boys grow into men and girls into women - puberty indicates the onset of adolescence.
Appraisal: This is a well-made presentation with good diagrams and a sensible commentary - it is straight -forward, clear and entirely suitable for youngsters
Not all of the diagrams are clear and wording on some is too small for easy reading but this is a matter of detail - in general terms a very good visual aid.
Audience: All the young - some parents could benefit from viewing , too.
ADOLESCENCE: Part 2 - Menstruation
Content: This presentation is aimed at groups of children/y oung people entering the adolescent stage of their development. Note s are provided as a guide.
All girls from about 10/ 11 and women until the age of 50-55 experience menstruation -:-- it is a normal bodily function starting in adolescence
Appraisal: This excellent presentation gives a straight -forward account of menstruation - hygiene to be adopted and the use of sanitar y towels and tampons. Sexual organs are shown diagramatically and the commentary is level-headed but such a pity a lady commentator was not employed!
Audience: Universal.
MOVING AND LIFTING THE DISABLED PERSON
16mm film. 12 mins.
Distributed by: Concord Film Council and Guild Sound & Vision Ltd., Woodston House, Oundle Road, Peterborough, PE2 9PZ.
Content: This film is a basic introduction to methods of moving ano lifting the disabled. It shows principl.es of movement and basic handling techniques such as foot blocking , supporting the knee and back and finger wrist and elbow grips, A most helpful sequence is lifting a disabled person who has fallen on the floor
Appraisal: this is an extremely useful and interesting film, although in its effort to cram a ql!lart into a pint pot it contains too mucA information for its limited running time. Some of the lifts portrayed are unconventional and for that reason a slower approach might have been more fruitful, and indeed more instruction for the 'lifter would hav e bee n helpful. Manife stly the film can only be part of an in struction al and practical demonstrations to follow rilm exhibition will be extremely valuable.
Simulated patients rather detract from the film's authenticity,
Audience: Recommended all concerned with handicapped personnel.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
ADVERTISEMENTS
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ClaSSified Pr e paid Rate s. Semi -d isp lay £5 00 s c. i (minimum (250) 8p pe r word (min im um (200) Box N o 50 p extra
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W, Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
RECENTLY I was asked to speak at a country training conference, attended mainly by officers of cadet divisions, on 'Bridging the Age Gap'. I can't judge whether anyone so long in the tooth as myself is really the mo 'st suitable person to speak on this subject, but having had the good luck to spend a lifetime working in company with young people, both professionally and in my voluntary activities, I haven't yet'reached the stage of finding an unbridgeable chasm yawning between myself and them. Moreover I have very strong views on the subject, particularly in its application to Brigade recruitment; so I decided that it was a subject on which I would share my thoughts with you this month.
.
Every parent and' every school and university teacher knows - or woe betide them if they don't - that to those in their teens and early twenties anyone in the thirties is fast approaching middle age, while those in their late forties have very ne;lrly got foot in the grave. That doesn't mean to say that it's impossible for the young to respect them, admire them, follow their leadership and be thoroughly at ease with them in a genuinely frie ndly relationship - far from it. Nor does it mean that such a can only be established if the older people behave as if they were ten or twenty years younger than they really are. But it does mean that they must try to see life from the viewpoint of the young (no t always easy); to share their enthusiasms and their aspirations; to accept their desire to face the challenge of adventure; to remember that they are passing through a stage of very rapid development and so give them credit for a greater maturity of judgment and experience than may seem possible at their age; and to recognise their often unspoken yearning, in a world in which they're confused by the breaking down of the frontier between liberty and licence and utterly disillusioned by the cult of materialism, for the help and guidance of a trusted friend and for a discipline in which they can share because they understand and accept its purpose.
AT
RANDOM (contd')
As r see it, if St. John is a 'family' in which the young And that kind of atmosphere and relationship, they'll not merely join our ranks but stay with us, absorbing the atmosphere and making it progressively easier for more young people to- join, until we've reached a stage when some of us are young. some of us are not so young, and some are positively old; but age as such will have ceased to matter because with a completely shared understanding of purpose and outlook bridge has become complete. If tmat doesn't happen, then our numbers wili steadily dwindle until the Brigade literally dies of old age. Our future lies with the young, but the old hold the key to its door. It's as simple as that.
12 suggestions
Enough of generalisations, and let me give you twelve positive suggestions. None of them are original, and none of them are new; all have been tried and to my certain knowledge have proved successful. To those who claim that they have been tried and have failed r would state categorically that they have not failed: they have been found difficult and never properly tried, because - at some point along the line someone has killed them stone dead by saying 'Impossible', or 'We've never done it that way before' , or maybe through sheer lack of trust in human nature. Anyw?y, here they are:-
l. Encourage the formation of combined divisions. These are most often combined 'horizontally' (eg A & N, or A/C & N/C), which is good; but 'vertically' combined divisions (eg A & A/C, or N & N/C) are in some ways even better; best of all are those usually described as 'quadrilateral', containing all four sections of Brigade membership in a single St. John family unit.
2. Go all out to get a really good Headquarters, shared by all local whether officially combined or not, which can be used 6 or 7 days a week for a wide variety of a(Ctivities and social occasions of many kinds. Let it be a true family home, and don't be so keen to get your money back by lettings that the needs of St. John members are crowded out.
3. Train cadets, right from the start, to look on adult membership as their goal. However great a tri umph ir may be for a superintendent to have a really live and flourishing cadet division, by far the greatest triumph of all is that there should be a
closely assoc iated adult division full of excadets (most of them wearing the Grand Prior' s badge). evenly s paced in age between 16 a nd 65-plus.
4. Give genuiNe encouragement to ex-cadets to complete their Grand Prior's badge after their promotion to the adult division A common cause of leakage is frustration among ex-cadets, and few things are more frustrating then to get no help in finishing off your G.P's badge when you're three-quarters of the way ·home.
S. Encourage really adventurous training, particularly for the 15 - 21 age -g roup, thereby involving older cadets and younger adults in working together and so helping to bridge the gap between cadet and adult membership.
s olely as mes se n gers. and never being a llow ed to dress even a sma ll wound.
7. Give the fullest possible opportunities for responsibility and leadership. Try to ensure tlnat everyone has a job. however small. for which he or she s persoJ1lally responsible. A few of the se job s (but by no means all) will involve appointment as an NCO or possibly divisional orAoer. Make s ure that your - division is fully up to establishment in these appo intment s. Don't be afraid (a) to train the yo u ng for responsibility , (b) to give them the job fo r which they 've been traililed, and (c) to s how that you trust them to get on with it.
8. Get your division fully involved in the life of the local community. This is something in which all members , young and old, can actively s hare, so that they may take pride in knowing that when anyo ne has a problem co nnected with community welfare their fir st thought will be Ask St. John' and they will not be d isappo inted.
9. Encourage the 'quest' for service. The old Knights of St. John didn 't sit in their castles bemoaning the fact that their former oppo rtunitie s for se rvice had dried up ; they we nt out and looked for others and it was o nly when they ceased to do this that they became decadent. The opportu nities are there, though they may not be the same as they were yes terday , as is proved by division s which have embarked on river rescue patrols, mountain rescue teams etc.
10. Encourage participation in St. John national events, such as the Nottingham conference, the Malcolm Miller STA cruises, international training conventions , camps with the JUH in Germany and other special events such as the 1975 Rome duty andlookin g forwards - the Adventure Training Camp in Western Australia in January 1977. fmpossible? Where there's a will , there's a w ay. Or perhaps you've never heard about them? ff not , then why not?
6. Give new and younger adult members something that they can really get their teeth into, both in their training and in their public and other duties. In training , they should take the part of the nurse or the Arst-aider, and only very seldom that of the patient or casualty. The latter should normally be the role of the older and more experienced mem bers, whose guidance about whether they are being well or badly handled is invaluable And remember to give cadets and younger adults (working with a more experienced member) a real share in public duties. Many cadets have been lost through being given nothing to do, or being used
II. Get out of a rut in all your forms of training. Real life is full of adventure if one ha s but the eyes to see; and training for real life s hould be equally adventurous. 50 identical le g fractures may occur in 50 different circumstances; few will be indoors , and st ill fewer with the casualty lying conveniently on his back on the floor of your HQ; let this variety be expressed in the imaginative realism of the setting in which we train to cope with them.
12. Communications. Make sure that you and all your division know what other Brigade member s are doing elsewhere in this country and throughout the world. Being a reader of the R eview you re probably quite good at thi s already, and you're more likely to be the so rt of person who reads Brigade Orders and General Circular, and perhaps eve n has 8J St. John pen -pal overseas. Bl!lt, by and large, our communications aren't all that good in St. J oh n, and we could bridge quite a lot o f gaps if we made them just a bit better!
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the new member w ill want to put his knowledge to practical use ·
Deputy Supt-in-Chief Miss L. Romilly meeting campers last year, with the author and Mr. J. Gore, ASO (AC) GI@ucester, in charge of male staff and holiday makers. (Photo: N. Devon Journal Herald)
. . bow it is a
A RECENT BBC programme Holiday 76 focused attention on holiday facilities for the disabled here in Westward Ho! High up on the Kipling Tors and with a glorious view of the Devon coastline, the Westward Ho! H oJiday Centre has provided many happy holidays for thousands of disabled people and a ltJard-working, duty holiday for mal'lY St. John and Red Cross members.
The committee of the Disabled Persons Holiday Camp of the South West meets under the auspices of St. Loye's College, Exeter -a college for training the disabled for commerce al'ld industry. The Brigade in Devon, in co-operation with St. Loye's College and the Devonian Orthopaedic Association Welfare Officer, organises these annual May camps and provides the staff to look after 180 disabled people and their relatives.
The Holiday Centre, run on similar lines to Butlin's, has double and family chafets, each with running hot and cold water to hand -_basil'l, toilet, and many have a bath. The usual holiday facilities are on site laundry, nursery, hairdressing salon, both BBC and rTv television rooms, games rooms, cafeteria, bars, heated swimming pool and paddling pool, sauna bath, a dining room accommodating 500 to 600, and a large ballroom with the adjoining lounges and gift shop. The Centre has spacious grounds for - all types of sport and plenty of entertainment is laid on, particularly in the evenings Brigade organisation for the holidays
Commandant
Mrs. M. D. Lavers, Devon CSO (NC), tells us about the County's
Holiday time for the Disabled and
promenade and so enjoy a full day out of camp. Lynton and Lynmouth, Bude, Widemouth Bay, Barnstaple market are (!)tJi1er popular outings and a visit to the Oautington Glass Factory at Torrington is a regular must!
Thursday is alway fancy dress competition night, ,when most of the day is spent in "'camp preparing for this great event. Brigade members are sent far and wide searching for everything under the sunfrom blue bells on the Tors bedpans under the beds, wigs from the local concert party. And the least suspecting ambulance member will suddenly find himself transformed into the Devil or Miss World. Our South Devon members of the resident staff usually team up to provide a good laugh - one year as The Belles of St. Johnathan's (with apologies to St. Trinian's) , and last year as Uncle Tom Cobley and All (horse included)! We were delighted when Miss L. Romilly, Deputy Superintendent -in-Chief, visited the camp during the Fancy Dress Parade. I'm sure she enjoyed Westward Ho! - but she probably had some qualms when asked to be a judge of the Fancy Dress entries.
tonic for everyone . - disabled and helpers
commences early in the year, when all applications are vetted by the Committee Medical Officer, and then starts the difficult task of allocating applicants to the various chalets. Which may seem easy at first but when one takes into account all the factors involved - the distance the people can walk, the number of steps they are able to negotiate (chalet entrances have from one to six steps), the width of wheelchairs and the _ narrow doors, the amount of equipment needed in chalets (hoists, spinal beds, ripple beds, and other specialised equipment)then the task becomes a human jigsaw puzzle.
Being able to draw on.a first class resident St. John and Red Cross -staff from Devon, Cornwall and Gloucester, we try to provide holidays for the more disabled people who need medical help available at allthose who cannot walk, who need dressing, washing, feeding and assistance with toilet. The list of medical equipment required for the comfort and of these people makes formidable reading, and before the committee could buy its own equipment, for some years the Area Nursing Officec and I would scour North Devon for every available commode or bedpan mackintosh sheet and set of bed-boards. Fortunately we now have our own equipment (including 250 hot watter bottles!) in one store at Westward Ho! This equipment is also available for any disabled person who comes to the area for a privately-arranged holiday. Our Brigade members in North Devon
also play a vital role in providing extra nursing aid at the Holiday Centre, especially ,in the evenings; which is a very popular duty with the cadets. Because so many of our nursing members work on Saturday, J have come to rely on the cadets and their officers to set u'p camp on the first Saturday. Our nursing cadets do a wonderful job, taking the medical equipment to the chalets, making up as many as 30 beds with sets of boards, mackintosh. sheets', cradles , back-rests , etc, and then collecting all the equipment again on the last day of the holiday often in wet weather. (Somehow these two Saturdays, the first and the last , always seem to be wet and prove how impractical is the nursing cadet cape!)
Although the Centre provides a varied programme of events and entertainment, we always supplement this with coach trips, visits to local factories or concerts The Cotswold Cheshire Home has been most cooperative in loaning us for the May Camps their specially adapted coach, and Mr. Smith, the driver, joins us with his wife to convey our patients who are confined to wheel -chairs. This means that with hired coaches, our ambulances and various other cars or dormobiles , we can take all our holiday-makers on all the outings.
Mrs. Martyn, ' our North Devon Area Superintendent, together with I1fracombe St. John and Red Cross members provide facilities in Ilfracombe where our party can leave the coaches, have a mid -day meal, be taken or pushed around the shops or
The annual May Camp is a tonic not only for the disabled but also for many St. John members who spare no effort to make it a wonderful week for everyone. One of its most pleasing aspects is the happy relationship which exists here between members of St. John and the Red Crosswe are both jealous for our own organisation but we still work happily side -by -s ide. The team spirit which exists between the management and staff of the Holiday Centre Brigade and Red Cross workers, local clubs and organisations, ensures that everyone benefits from their stay in Westward Ho! And many disabled people and their relatives go home with a far better kno,:"ledge of St. John - and what we mean by 'For the Service of Mankind.'
(Right) The busiest rampinto the d in ing room.
(Below right) A regular at the cam p Mr. R Tonkin, who is a swite hboa rd operator for the RAC at Exeter
(Above) M ea time is also pill timefrom Sister M. Th o mas. (Be ow)
Bidefo rd's D v. Sup!. J. Brown camp staff member for many years, ooks after two old faithfuls - Fred (Lewis ) and Ted ( Ell cott)
Below) T ed (Ellicott) again - who's a spastic - a marvel ous c h aracter with a weakness for sherry IH ere here, says h is neighbour)
New exhibition and display material PART
FOLLOWING the appointment of Mr. N E. Clark, of N L. Display Services as the Order's exhibition consultant , the Public Relations Department's exhibition and display section has recently been reorganised to make available portable St. John display and exhibition material.
Publicity is essential for all St. John activities, especially during 1977 if we are to make the most of St. John Ambulance's centenary. Not one Division can afford to be without display material of some kind. To meet this need a range of pUblicity items is being prepared. These screens and kits are now available.
Photo 1. A portable wooden screen of four panels, each measuring 36ins x 18ins., which when folded measures 36ins x 181ns. x 6ins. On the outside is the St. John logo and a suitcase -type handle, for easy carrying. The inside of'the panels are lined with foam and covered with red hessian which will take double-sided sellotape or drawing pins. The price of this unit , inclusive of V AT, is £ 17 28, plus delivery by rail if required
Depicted on the screen in the photograph are four of Mr. Clark s kits (from L to R): The origin of the Order; The Association; The St. John Ambulance Cadets; and St. John Ambulance. Also available but not shown is a kit, The Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem.
Inclusive of V A T and postage and packing the price of each kit is £2.95. Each item has double -sided sellotape on the back. The range will be extended and revised from time to time.
Photos 2 to 6. These sets, printed on lightweight art card, are ready for sticking onto mounting board (or pieces cut from strong cartons of equal thickness from local shops could be used). Each set, numbered on the back, includes an instruction sheet and diagram for making the screens and fitting the hinges for folding. The folded set of 6 screens measures 22ins. x 16ins. x 2ins., and will fit into a carrier-bag.
Photos 2 & 3. These show each side of one screen, but the set can be made up with illustrations - on one side only, if required.
Prices:
Photos 2 & 3 St: John in Action Black, white, red and blue. £1.25
Photo 4 Black, white and red (Price to the Brigade) 75p
Photo 5. Cadets. Black, white and red. 75p PI:wtlD 6. Emergency Aid. Black and white. 5@p
Photo 7 Will You Join Us? Black, white and red. 40p
Photo 7 is a single sheet of art card , 25Y4ins x 2Iins., which can be mounted, to hang or stand , or simply hung with poster hangers. All prices are inclusive of tubes for packaging and postage.
Canvas streamers (not illustrated). N L. Display Services will quote and supply according to specifications A large streamer, measuring 32ft. x 4ft., is available for hire at £5 plus carriage , ex N. L. Display Serv.ices, London. It includes the Cross of the Order at each end and the lettering: The Order of St. John - St. John Ambulance -'--Exhibition
If you need a more sophisticated, specially-designed exhibition, transported to and from and erected on site , Mr. Clark can supply this service at a special hire rate. He can also quote and supply captions to individual specifications on card or canvas streamers.
Enq uiries for any of these new items or services should be made to Mrs. Vicki Beevor, at Headquarters, who has been appointed Publicity Officer and will be working clo sely with Mr. Clark of N. L. Display Services.
Next month the Review will publish details of Marler Haley exhibition stands, kiosks, polystyrene logos from 2ft. to 3ft. diameter, and polystyrene letters in kit form. So gef chatting about publicity - which EVER Y division in the country should now be planning Planning with the help of PRCHAT. Which will be appearing regularly in the Review. SO EVERY DIVISION SHOULD SEE THE REVIEW.
ACCIDENT'ARRV
IN A N effort to persuade people to be a little more safety conscious and cut down the work of the St. John Ambulance , I must tell you about my good friend Accident' Arry , whose day usually went something like this
First thing in the morning , his alarm went off. Thinking it was a fire ahrm , 'Arry leapt out of bed, tripped over the bedside mat and bruised his nose. He has an old -fashioned belief in old-fashioned methods of shaving (not dreadful electric shavers!) so it wasn surprising that he cut himself several times with his cutthroat and came down to breakfast with his face festooned in plaster.
While waiting for his egg water to boil he leant casually on the only protruding object in SIght -.:. the saucepan handle
The scalding water turned his midriff beetroot and his mood blacker than ink.
I!e decided he'd forget breakfast as time was getting on and dashed out to the car.
In his hurry to open the ' garage door , the bottom half caught his chin a neat right hook as it sailed upwards , pratically knocking him out. As Harr y drove to work he took great care and did very well - apart from driving through a set of red traffic lights, down a one -way street the wrong way , and nearly squashing a cyclist on his left.
At the petrol station where he worked ,
W -lLL YOU JOIN
:j ,Arr y tried to lift a heavy drum and s trained hi s back walked under a ladder a nd collected a tin of green paint on his head (which did not improve his complexion) and nearly brought the whole place down by lighting up in the forecourt.
He s back home now , sticking fingers in electric sockets, half poisoning himself with badly washed and gettin g him s elf into several other messes. Of course he hasn t learnt first aid. In his view, 'It a lways happens to somebody else Perhaps you're not in the least like Accident Arr y But you COULD be that Somebod y Else!
Photo 5
Photo 6
Pho o 7
'Bri!=ladier P R. Body, new Chief Secretary at Headquarters
Brigadier p, R. Body, who took over as Chief Secretary at St. John Ambulance Headquarters on May 3, was in the Royal Artillery for 16 years until transferring to the Queem's Dragoon Guards in 1956.
While a Gunner he served in the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, was Commanding Officer of the Queen's Dragoon Guards from 1962 to '65, and has just completed three years as Defence Attache at the British Embassy in Athens.
A keen amateur jockey in his younger. days, Peter Body has frequently judged the driving and hunter classes at tbe Royal I nternational Horse Show and other international equestrian events. He has been invited to supervise the mounted competitions at this year's Royal Tournament.
THE FIRST
SJ A Bedford is starting a boat patrol on the River Ouse, the first river rescue service in the county. They have a 14ft glassfibre boat, given them by SJ A Guernsey, but now have to raise £500 for engine and equipment. County Council chairman Joe Johnson is making personal appeals for donations. Great stuff.
CALLI NG POWs
Jimmy Howe - Major James Howe, MBE, recently retired Director of Music, Scots Guards - who has written the arrangement of the new St. John March (composed for St.
AROUND and ABDUl
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN
BY THE EDITOR
John by Jimmy Kennedy of Red Sails in the Sunset fame), was a prisoner-of-war during the last war. As a lance corporal in Lamsdorfs Stalag VIIIB, he spent much of his prison life entertaining the POWs first with an accordian borrowed from Polish inm ates and later' with an I8 -piece dance orchestra with instruments provided by the Red Cross.
Arthur Weston, BEM, Secretary of the Association's Civil Aviation Centre, was a POW in the same camp, where he spent 5 years making artifiCial limbs for fellow POWs (hence his BEM, by the way).
Jimmy. and Arthur have now got together in a nostalgic mood - and the result is a grand ex-POWs reunion concert to be held at Fairfield Hall, Croydon on Friday, June 25. The concert, which starts at 7.15 pm and will go on till (officially) midnight, includes Anne Shelton ('We'll meet again - Don't know where, don't know when .'), the Metropolitan Police Band, Jimmy Howe's orchestra, the Nigel Brooks Singers, dancing, five bars (not musical)·- and obviously lots of fun, memories, and no doubt a few wet cheeks
Everyone - but particularly ex-POWs - is welcome. Tickets - £3, £2.50, £2 and £1.50 - from Arthur Weston, 39 S1. George's Road, Hanworth, Middx. Phone: 01-898-0551.
At another last war POW camp, Stalag 383, a S1. John Amoulance Division was formed and 380 certificates were issued from London, I under stand The division!s shield, carved in camp, is now in the library at the Gate. A · Sergeant White, I understand, plaY,ed an important role in this - POW
!Division. Area StafT Officer Lake, of London District, was one of the division's six instructors. It would be interesting to hear from any of the division's ex-members through the Review - and some of the stories of running a POW camp division. So where are you ex -Stalag 383 Division members?
BOMB
When the bomb exploded at Olympia on March 27 a S1. John ambulance was not far away, I hear. Willesden Division's vehicle, taking a football match casualty to Charing Cross Hospital (now in Fulham), arrived to learn that ambulances were required for a major incident at Olympia. At Olympia, the London Am bul ance Service asked the SJ A crew to transport the last two casualties to hospital when a LAS ambulance arrived on the scene. Instead the SJA crew - Trpt. Sgt. C, Sweet, A I M Pritcher and Sg1. Grace Reay, of Willesden Nursing Divisiontook the emergency medical team back to C haring Cross Hospital. But they were there.
SPECIAL SEATS
I notice London Underground trains now have certain seats labelled as for disabled travellers ---;- so essential in the rush-hour.
Sssh
Milton (Hants) Combined Cadet Division, making lJse of local facilities to enliven cadet interest, recently visited a destroyer at Portsmouth. The 14 cadets later wrote an essay on the trip, which were vetted by the sub-lieutenant who showed them around.
Our girls from Southend aren just pretty - they're practical too. They're all doing something in this picture that you and wou d miss every day if it wasn't done, What is it? A year's free subscription to the Review for the wr it er of the correct answer (but not from Soutmend area , where the complete phOto was first.pub li shed) opened in our ed it orial office at BU11ey, See first page for address, (Photo: Southend Evening Echo)
MIND BENDERS
Find the first aid word or words in the clue, The number of letters in the an swer is given To get you used to t he idea. I'll give you the nrst answer.
CLUE Two girls on your knee (3,4)
ANSWER: PAT - ELLA. O,K?
1. Loud anger (4)
2, A Terry want s a change (6), 3, Sally with a pin and some cord plu s bone protection (6.4).
4. 10 university tutors (7),
Answers: Upside down - are at the bottom of page 131. No Cheatin g,
Here's Alison Turner's report rated 'Very Good by the Navy. (One essay said the ship ran on 1/2 -gallon of oil an hour, to which the Navy commented: 'I'm afraid it's more like half a ton!').
'On Saturday the Milton Ambulance and Nursing Cadet Division at Portsmouth were taken to HMS Norfolk in Portsmouth dockyard to have a look around. Sub Lieutenant Graney was the officer who showed us round. HMS Norfolk is a guided missile destroyer and is used in wartime to prs>tect cargo ships carrying such items as food or oil. Its armaments are: 2 4.5 inch guns, and 4 exocet missiles. At the aft end of the ship on both sides is a Seacat rocket launcher , also a launching pad for a Wessex Mk3 anti-submarine helicopter, and the Seaslug Mk 2 guided system, (Edit: Hope we're not giving away secrets .). The length of thf. ship is 520 feet. The weight of the ship 7,500 tons. There are 485 officers and men in the ship's company, On board are cabins for the crew, also mess halls and rooms , as well as the various rooms for operating the ship There is a sick bay with a bl!lt efficient operating theatre. So there IS also a doctor included in the crew. There are.first aid lockers situated at various points throughout the ship, as accidents happen sometimes on ships. The ship was launched by the Duchess of Norfolk in November 1967. Other features of the ship include a 24hour laundry, education facilities, film shows, and a shop selling luxuries and everyday needs.' Sounds all right - life in the Navy.
FLYING HIGH AND FAR
ADONIS?
'You don't have to be young and beautiful to reach the finals of this show,' said Pat Sloman , before introducing SJA's Charles Davis in Southern TV's finals to select the Nurse of the Year.
However, beauty ' is in the eyes of the beholder, and many nursing members of S1. John in the Isle of Wight were glued to TV that evening. Those who do not agree that Charles is their latter-day Adonis may yet come to follow General Slim s example during the Burma campaign, when he always kept a pin - up of his rival Japanese general.
Why? Said Slim: 'When he out-manoeuvres me, I can look up and say "You may be a better general , but I'm better looking!"
DR. CLAUDE OSBORN
London District suffered a great loss in the early hours of Good Friday when Dr. Claude Osborn, MRCP , LRCS , MRCGP , District Surgeon, died suddenly at his home in Greenford, Middlesex.
Joining the Brigade 29 years ago as a divisional surgeon , Dr. Osborn became NW Area Surgeon in 1966, SW Area Commissioner in 1972, and District Surgeon in 1975.
Among his family friends and patients at the funeral were many S1. John Ambulance members who had come to say farewell to this devoted Brigade worker - including members of Chapter General, Brigade HQ representatives, the London District Commissioner and his Deputy and District Superintendent, representatives of other counties and scores of men and women of the Brigade
Mr. Davis joined SJ 43 years ago , with war service in the RAMC and as a He is now SJ County Secretary, Isle of Wight, and a senior state enrolled n at the Royal Isle of Wight County Hospital. He was one of nine Nurse of the Year finalists selected from hundreds throughout the South of England. Well done , Charles. (Sorry , ladies - no photograph ).
THE PERFECT NURSE
With SJA's anniversary coming up I thought you might be interested in the following extract from the St. John Nursing Manual of 1908, gleaned for us by Miss P Blackie, of
Claude Osborn - all in uniform, some forming the guard of honour.
Four Area Commissioners and two Area Superintendents carried this welloved man's coffin, surmounted by his District Su rgeon's cap and gloves, in silent witness to his memory,
Dr.
Rhodesia's Second Salisbury Nursing Division. I' give the source because I didn't want you to think that this is a piece of male sniping. H'm.
THE NURSE'S DUTIES: The dress should not interfere with her duties. The dress should be quite plain, and the skirt not long enough to be trodden on. Boots and shoes should be moderately thick as far as is consistent with qu etness. Ornaments are out of place on a nurse, though a bright ribbon bow may be worn at the throat tt) give variety. A pincushion ' and a pair of scissors hung at the side will be useful. The fact that a nurse has to do many things which are far from pleasant, to refined and cultivated women, increase risk of breaking down. If she is tired, a long ride on the top of a tram-car will do her good. A nurse
IN KENT
CHEERS FOR ...
need not be expected to be a teetotaller , but if she finds that beer or wine make her drowsy at her work she had better give it up entirely. Of spirits she ought scarcely to know the taste.
A warm soap bath should be taken at least once a week. A refined lady should be in structed on the differences between male and female. When having to attend to the toilet for the first time , a gentile lady may collapse from shock This would be most embarrassing to the patient, and the nurse could have a nervous breakdown.
I wonder if the present Manual will make such enlightening reading 70 years hence?
I - I - CONGA
I hear that 30 Exmouth members recently helped the local Lions Club run a dance and cabaret for nearly 400 partially blind ,
Superintenden t- in -
Astor of Hever (below) with L ady Astor. (Photos: Mirway, Ashford)
(above). including
(left) by
(Photos:
disab led and mentally retarded people.
As well as bringing and returning guests by am bulances and cars, and assisting them into the place -of-fun, members looked after and helped them enjoy the eveningincluding dancing , when those guests confined to wheelchairs were pushed around the floor to the conga and waltzes. A great time was obviously had by all. So much so that the Lions are now being asked to repeat the idea every year, or twice yearly, or
COMMISSIONER-ESS
After Hampshire (last month) SJA Hertfordshire has now appointed its first woman commissioner Mrs. Ivy
Desmond , of St. Albans, who will be Area Commissioner for the southern half of the county
SPEEDY
SJA M a rket Harborough (Div. Supt. Ken Goode) rece ntly acquired a fully -equipped new ambulance. County Commander L. Lee congratulated the division at the speedy way in whkh the vehicle had been obtained
HOLIDAY EXCHANG E1
A member of the Alliance Orders of St. John in Germany, Herr von Flowtow, and his wife would like to arrange an exchange holiday in Eng land for their 16-year-old daughter Nicoline (7 years school English) between July 15 and August 28, or during the winter. Herr von Flowtow's address is 43 EssenBredeney Markuspfad 2, Germany
WINNERS
Congratulations to West Ham (326) Division (S upt. John Cobain), the 1975 winners of the new Metropolitan Police Trophy! The trophy , a silver statuette of a police constabl'e, was presented by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan ,Police, Sir Robert Mark, to be awarded annually to the London District division which gives the greatest service and co-operation to ,the police during the year.
By E. J CHESTER
AI M,
Northants
Illustrations: JACK
MIND BENDERS (answers)
.... Every year Horwich Nur sing Divis ion m em b e rs go to help at the Bolton Royal Infirmary while the staff nu rses hold the r an nu al party. Here's 1976 SJA relief party, ea rl y in the year with (L to R) Div. Off. Mrs. A. Cocker (970 hours). Bo ton Roya In firmary Chief Nursing Officer Mi ss M Un sw orth Di v. Nur sing Off ice Mr s. W. Whitehea d, who is a so a sister at the hospital , and Div Supt Mrs R Gibbons'(l 097 hours). 8 of the Ho rw ich me mbers do re lief work at the hos pi tal every week. We done, girls
Chief Ladv Moyra Brown (right) with County Commissioner Robert Perciva at demonstrations after a service of Red ed ication at Maidstone, which was attended by the Lor d Lie u of Kent Lord
IT HAS BEEN estimated that every driver may expect to be involved in over four road accidents in his lifetime -a grim prospect indeed.
Institute of Advanced Motorists members , driving with the skill and responsibility expected of them, have been shown to be 25 per cent safer than the rest , so we ' may hope to escape at least one of these. And hopefully we shall not ourselves be the cause of an accident. But anyone may be accidented!
It is all too likely that we may be blissfully motoring along when - wham! - we round a corner to see a veritable battlefi eld The road nearly blocked by crashed vehicles , bodies lying about, steam rising from broken radiators and theSC1ieam of tortured tyres almost still hanging in the air.
Advanced motoring encompasses not only the tenets of good driving but in a
wider sense, the ability to deal with any emer g ency on the road in an expert and efficient manner. Faced with the situation I have just de s cribed , Institute members have an opportunity of rendering an invaluable s ervice to the community, for on what they do next will depend whether the accident will remain confined to its original extent or whether it will escalate w ith avoidable further loss of life As in any motoring emergency , a preformed plan is required , and a cool head to execute it. It is human instinct to drop anchor instantly and dash to the aid of all the injured in sight. Yet this would be totally wrong and, indeed , dangerous. A would -be rescuer who gets himself killed in the process is of no further use to the original victim, either. A nd I am saddened to know how freq uently just that happens when other traffic pile s into the first wreckage.
f.t OW the experts of the road - members of the I nstitute of Advanced Motorists - are advised by Dr.
in ...
KEITH E. JOLLES
Crash
The moment you catch your first glimpse of the melee a head , keep cool , don t gawp , but instantly start on your rescue plan. Check y our mirror , and immediately look for a s afer p a rking spot preferably just ofT the road and on the side of the crash Never a dd to the obstruction b y parking or even s toppin g directly at the scene while s urveying it! If in fact the collision has occurr ed just round a bend drive slowly past it, then park on the verge. Switch on your hazard w a rning. Then g rab your fire extinguisher and warning triangle (I should like to think that all members cars. are so equipped). Make sure to put out any pipe or cigarette, and lock the car before you walk away.
With oncoming traffic now warned by y our four - way flashers , quickly go back (but don ' t run you will need your breath and ener g y!) while unfolding the triangle At night , hold it against your chest fac ing outwards, to make yourself more visible A s you pass the actual scene , take a good look - but don ' t stop! Carryon back round the bend, then plant your triangle a good way along the road and some six feet out from the verge. On a straight road, place it some 150 yard s from the trouble spot , giving
vehicles time to slow down
Not until both approache s are thu s secured should you re v ert to the actual s cene of the incident. Even then there is more to be done before y ou should turn your attention to individu a casualties. Ever present and the greate s danger after any crash , is the risk of fire breaking out due to spilled petrol or fuel vapour. The fatal spark may come from a sho;t circuit in one of the v ehicles involved or from a bystander s cigarette It is your j o b to see , this does not happen. Systematically , go to each of the former in turn , s witch off th e ignition (the engine ma y well have stalled but the ignition s likely to be on) and withdraw the ke y for extra safety Remember to hand these keys to the police wliien they arrive.
Try to locate the batteries , and pull ofT the leads; this should remove the risk of an y subsequent short starting a fir e. At the sam e time, satisfy yourself that no batter y fluid , leaking perhaps from a cracked case , could corrode its wa y through and drip on any occupants trapped in the car. I have seen some horrible burns caused in this way which could so easily have been prevented by lifting the battery clear once the leads were off.
before g etting to it , drive past the spot , then park on the hard s houlder operate winkers a nd po s iti o n the triangle. Never reverse your c a r a lon g a motorwa y, for however s hort a dist a n c e. Park; it safel y, then walk back. Wherever it has happened , your prime con sideration must b e to make the place safe for those already involved ,' for other traffic a nd for the official rescue services that will be coming along And the fir s t thing is ne v er to allow y our ' own car to add to the o bstruction or the obstruction to become a complete blockage of the road As we all know jam s build up alarmingly rapidly and people h a v e needle s sl y died because ambulance s c o uld not get through to where hey w ere needed
Helpers
Our roads are busiest during the next three summer months.
In my example, I set the scene on a l6nely country road with little traffic , but a ccidents 0ccur anywhere and circumstances w ll alter cases. On a motorway , there should be no danger 'of oncoming traffic and you will probably have F10ticed the obstruction from much further back which may have enabled 'YOM to stop before reaching it. If so pull up (on the hard shoulder not on the road! ) and Switch on your hazard warning or at least YOur offside flasher. In addition , walk back along the shoulder and place your triangle some 150 yards behind your car well out into the slow lane, If you were unable to s top
E ven in the loneliest of places the mere s mell of an accident attracts crowds a pparentl y from nowhere. Ask any genuine helper s to sta y, and firmly move on those w ho wa nt only to stand and stare People are so unreliable. Don t put your trust in just one , but ask each of the first four motorists pass i ng (two in each direction) to stop at the next telephone and make a 999 call to the po li ce , giving full details of location number and types o f vehicle involved and emer g ency services required.
While y our own car and triangle are u s eful in guarding the approaches , you really , want s entries to make doubly sure. If available , post them in pairs along the road in each direction and on each side of the road, armed with handkerchiefs (and torches at ni g ht ) to render their 'flag signals -the more easil y seen
Get y our assistant to 'cover' you by holdi ng your extinguisher constantly at the read y but not aimed at you. If other drivers wish to stand b Y' with their extinguishers , so much the better. All of y ou , and especially the appointed crowd marshals , must be ever vigilant that no one is smoking in the vicinit y. Don ' t let any well meaning but totally idiotic ' helper' offer a cigarette to any ca s ualty , unless he take s such a victim if seemingly un -injured but shaken a long way out of range Watch , too , for the sound of hobnailed boots or steel-tipped walking stick's on th e hard road surface - they could so easily stri ke that tiny spark "to turn the place into a raging inferno.
In selecting who needs your help most , you must be practical The living must take precedence over the dead, The most common causes of death in road accidents are choking and severe bleeding. Efficient a ction can often save the se lives Look therefore , first for anyone who may have taken on an almost purple or puce complexion and is probably breathing noisily and irregularly if at all. He is possibly about to choke to death but only needs his airway cleared to survive Whip open any constricting collar or tie then put two fingers in his mouth and clear out the debris you will
Poachers make the best gamekeepers so a s k s ome of the bystanders to help as ' crowd marshals' - and just watch them moving on the u s eless sensation seekers! If the road is p a rtly blocked you may be able to institute a s in g le- line one - wa y traffic flow system past, by u s ing appropr iate flagmen. It' s much better than allowing traffic to snarl up completel y While all these arrangements are being impl e mented , you vJill ha v e picked yourself a helper and after making the site safe for victim and rescuer alike , at long last you can turn to the injured themselves. Again a plan of action and a s y stem of priorities are essential.
find there, as far down the throat as you can reach. Not a very pleasant operation, I grant you, but you won't have time to feel revolted. C heck for any dentures or broken teeth ir1 case they are blocking the airway low down. Even if you cannot feel a pulse at the wrist or in the (do you know where to look for this? If not, why not feel yourself now, while you are reading this, till you find your own strongly beating pulse? That will help you remember the spot when you need it) a:nd can see no sign of breathing, the victim may' not be dead - yet. The kiss of life may _ all the difference between life and death. Turn him on bis back, tilt his head well back, with the fingers of one hand pinch hjs nostrils shut and with the other hold his jaw open. Take a deep breath, then place your lips firmly around his mouth and breathe out into it; about a dozen times per minute. Lift off, then start again, and keep it up for half an hour before you concede defeat.
Driving has much in common with first aid; in that the expert will do only what is necessary to deal with any emergencyand no more. He knows that over-correction brings with it new dangers, and he knows when to leave well alone. Masterly inactivity can be hardest of all, especially when in the publ{c gaze. Yet. at the right time, it is the h a llmark of true competence.
The basic principle of first aid by the roadside is that the object is to keep the casualties safe till skilled help arrives, and to - prevent their condition from deteriorating till then if possible. This of course includes taking any steps possible to prevent avoiclable death. If we can achiev€ this, and then hand the injured over to the medical teams in a condition when they , can still benefit from _ the operating theatre and intensive care unit , we shall have just reason to be proud of our achievement.
Heavy bleeding: firm pressure over the site is recommended by Dr. Jolles as preferable to using a tourniquet or wasting time seeking an E!lusive pressure point
'Injudicious first aid,' as it has come to be called of late in medical circles, has become a new threat to life. It arises not from doing too little but attempting too much. A visitor to a recent country fair fainted from the heat. Nothing very dangerous in tmat - he would have spontaneously recovered in a few minutes. But a post mortem showed he died of a perforation of the heart by a broken rib forced into it when a well-meaning but untrained bystander had tried to give him 'cardiac massage' The road side is no place for medical heroics. Doctors know this, but first-aiders may forget it. If a victim is found unconscious but his colour is normal, pulse ,seemingly strong and even, and he is breathi,ng normally, he should be left alone except for having any tight clothing loosened and then being put in the 'recovery position' to prevent his tongue from flopping back and choking him. Lay h'im on the ground, and place him on his side, with knees slightly bent. Appoint a watcher to sit with him and let you know of any adverse changes, but do no more.
Sit and watch
Once normal breathing has been restored after clearing the airway or by the kiss of life, the procedure is the same Again place the person in recovery position, and detail someone to sit with him and watch. Put a coat or blanket over him if it is cold or raining, and let masterly inactivity be your guide.
In their hospital training, young doctors and nurses are taught never to run, but always to walk - except in case of fire or severe haemorrhage. They are taught too fhat a little blood goes a long way Gust think of the mess that a simple nose bleed can make). We should do well to bear this advice in mind when dealing with a crash. An impo rtant change in the teaching 'of first aid
is that most of those famous pressure points that no one could ever find in a hurry, have slipped from grace, and tourniquets are out of favour too because of the danger of gangrene if they are lilOt released often enough, Firm pressure over the site of heavy bleeding, by means of a pad and bandage, is the modern method of treatment, simple and effective too. Press your thumb over spot to staunch the flow while the pad is being prepared. The victim would look pale, with a faint and rapid pulse.
Perhaps the most innocuous of all types of haemorrhage, and the most easily treated by any layman if he just keeps his head, is that arising from an injury to a varicose vein. Unfortunately, people still die from this cause. It's a shocking waste of human life and a completely preventable tragedy. Because of their thin and bulging walls, varicose veins are particularly easily damaged, and then they bleed really profusely. A tourniquet must never be used - this would only increase the flow and may kill very quickly. All that is needed is to get the patient to lie down immediately and wherever he is, and then to hold the leg up for him. The bleeding will stop in a moment, with the leg continuing to be held up, and no other treatment needed. When it has stopped , a firm pad and bandage over the site of the bleeding (but not too tight!) will keep it from starting again. The leg may then be gently lowered, but should remain supported at a level higher than the chest for a while yet.
However heartless it may appear to the uninitiated onlooker , the vital fact of the matter is that any road accident casualty should preferably be left in the exact position in which he is found. He should be handled only with the greatest of care, and not r.1oved at all unless considerations of rus own safety absolutely demand it. An unconscious person lying in the middle of the road may need to be moved to the verge for his own safety , but if so, should be picked up by a team of helpers working in unison, carried in the same position , and gently laid down on the verge. If he was on his back, it would usually be advisable very gently to try and turn him into the recovery position.
Anyone found trapped in a vehicle, if unconscious but otherwise seemingly satisfactory, with his face a good colour and n0fmal breathing and' pulse, shoula be left where he is, have his clothing loosened and have someone sit with him and watch for any changes. Untold harm can be done if an attempt is made to drag him out. Spinal injuries are often present in such cases but may not be immediately evident to the untrained eye, especial,ly if the injured person is propped up by the steering wheel. Any unskilled handling may very easily kiIl nJim or cause permanent paralysis, both completely avoidable if he had just been left
Unless t' s essential for his safety, an in j ured person should not be moved by the untrained amateur. But if he must be moved, or if he is lying on his back, then he shou d be gently placed in the reccwery position shown here
where he was till trained personnel were on the scene.
For exactly the same reason it is totally wrong, however public spirited it may seem, to let any of the injured be scooped up by do-gooders, bundled into their cars , and 'rl!lshed to hospitaL' Such haste is seldom necessary, but too often such rough handling has resulted in seriously and needlessly aggravating the original injury.
Even d'octors may have difficulties in being quite cerfain that an accident victim ha s died, so it is no shame for a layman to be in doubt. If you are not sure either way, it is always better to give the kiss of life than miss the chance of saving a life that need not be lost. Unless you are absolutely certain that life has departed, leave a watcher to note the least sign of the flicker of an eyelid, or the faintest breath.
Miracles
Some people have miraculous escapes. You may find them conscious but dazed by the shock, either still in their crashed car or anywhere outside it. If they try to stand up, do not allow this - less still, do not urge or help them to do so - until you have carried out a brief but systematic check that they are indeed unhurt. At that stage, even major fractures may not always be felt by the victim. Ask him if he can normally feel his whole body, head and limbs. Can he carefully nod his head, then move it from side to side? Would he please wriggle his fingers and toes, then move his wrists and ankles? If all is well, would he bend and
Getting involved
Th ere's nothing like getting with our girls - as Northampton's Mayor, Cllr. John Gardner, found when he was invited to a meeting of the local G au mont Nursing Cadet Division. The girls had ear ier visited the Guildhall and the Mayor's interest in SJ activities led to a very successfu recruiting drive, The Mayor now seems to be involved up to his neck -.with even his Chain of Offi c e changing hands. Ca m you blame him?
straighten his knees and elbows, then slightly lift his arms and legs before finally trying very gently to sit up, then stand up with your assistance. Help him to the verge, then ask him to sit there quietly and recover. If he insists on a smoke, take him well away from the crash and any possible petrol fumes. A car crash is a terrifying experience. Even the uninjured are liable to be severely affected by shock which may only hit them after an interval. Immediately after finding themselves apparently safe, they may go off to seek help, only to collapse some distance away, and invisible from the scene of the accident. It is therefore imperative that any conscious survivors must be asked as soon as possible how many there were in their vehicle, and a count of heads carried out to ascertain they are all accounted for.
Once again, even if all seem present and do not accept it unquestioningly. In the heat of the moment, someone may forget a passenger they had, possibly a hitchhiker they had only just picked up. Despatch search parties in both directions, on either side of the road, to search both in front and behind any hedges and along ditches. People
have died from exposure just because no one had thought to check.
The aftermath of any accident may be fraught with grief. Sooner or later, those injured will start asking questions about others who had been with them. In my view, it may be permissible for an untrained rescuer to tell a white lie, and even if he knows a particular person to have been killed , not to say so but rather to suggest that there were several people seriously hurt and he was not yet certain , of their identities. What'would be quite unforgivable would be to say firmly a certain person had been killed - and 'then find it was someone else. Many of those involved may wish to notify relatives or friends of what had happened, maybe let know that they would not be arriving as expected. Never undertake to deliver such a message if you lack time or opportunity. But if you do agree to let someone know, regard it as a sacred trust and do it. To alleviate mental distress is as important a:; relieving physical pain. You may find someone trapped with an overturned vehicle on top of him. Rescue must be a carefully planned operation if it is
not to turn into disaster To rush in madly , , trying to lift the car off, only to have to let it drop again for insufficient leverage , adds insult to injury and may kill. Walk right round the wreck ; is there a ditch behind into which it might slip when lifting begins?
Assess the number of strong helpers you will need t6 raise the car It is never less than four (in case one loses his grip).
Choose firm handholds such as wheel arches , door sills, or axles, but avoid panels which will' bend under strai n or other detachable parts like doors " or bumpers Depending on the exact situation, deploy your lifters right round the car , or along one if it is only necessary to tilt it. At a given word, they lift in unison, while another team gently pull the casualty clear. Then. handle him as little as possible.
Car bodies tend to become distorted in a ' crash; doors may jam. Be particularly careful when trying to pull any such panels apart for there is an ever-present risk of a spark due to friction of metal on metal , which may start a fire. Always have som eone extinguisher at the ready.
Canine problem
Man's best friend is an inveterate traveller, but in a crashed car he adds to the prohlems. Fortunately , it is relatively rare for dogs to be injured the vehicle, but they are liabre to be terrified by the sudden noise and violent movement. And if his master is injured, perhaps knocked unconscious, the dog's instinct will be to guard -him and keep rescuers at bay. Never tear open the door of a crashed vehicle without first glancing in to make sure there is no dog in it - you may get a nasty bite, or the animal may bolt and be lost. Be careful when reaching for the ignition key!
Unless there is any special urgency about getting in, a plainly hostile dog is a ' mouthful of good sharp reasons for staying away, Counsel of perfection is to mention the dog to the police when making the 999 call, and ask for dQg handler to attend, please.
If there is an injured person who needs your help in the car, first placate the dog. There is a natural affinity between children and dogs, which is even greater. if the child is of the opposite sex. Freud might have had something to say about this phenom!!non, , but in any case , you may , be able to take aqvantage of it. If YO 1!l hlave been able to ascertain that you are faced with a male dog, and there is a sensible and animal loving little girl in the crowd, she may succeed where you might fail. If willing, she should approach the car slowly, in full view of the dog who will soon appear at the window, probably snarling. Talking to him gently all the time, in low and affectionate tones, shle should advance steadily, her eyes on the dog, her arms held out in front of her , hands drooping , limply from the wrists.
With luck one of the windows m a y be open a crack In that case she should very gently walk up to that window seem.ingly quite undeterred by any growling and snarling and indeed the dog should very soon quieten down and become interested rather than hostile , ears pricked , now suspicious rather than aggressive. If she carefully holds her drooping hand towards the crack in the window , the dog will tend to sniff it as his way of saying hello. He will also try to do this through the closed glass if need be. But once he has gone tllrbugh the sniffing routine, the battle is won and they are friends, Still moving very slowly and always letting him see everything she is doing , she may now safely try to open the door gradually , still murmuring softly and reassuringly to him , and see if she can attach a tie to his col\.ar to act as a makeshift lead That achieved , he will probably allow her to lead him out of the car althohlgh not very far from his master. With the dog secured you can now tu rn to the injured occupants of the vehicle. Another recognised technique is for an adult to hold a coat in front of himself, open the door and throw the coat over the dog to capture him safely , but I feel that especially with the larger breeds , only an expert should try this,
First aid kits
Finally , a word a bout first aid kits, They are certainly useful and I think we should all c arry one. But let ' s get one thing straight ; while I'm all in favour of these kits , I violently disagree with the muddled thinking dramatically declares that illey can save life. Just ask yourself this one question ; What kind of injury , otherwise fatal , could you treat if you had a first aid kit handy? Which particular item in the kit would be that indispensible life-saving component ?
I n fact , the contents of the average kit come in very handy for the inevitable minor mishaps of everyday life needing the odd plaster or bandage , the drop of mild antiseptic, peFhaps a few painkilling tablets and stomach powder. A 'Wasp-Eze' aerosol is useful for insect stings and bites. But for really serious injuries these are all of extremely limited value,
The essence of first aid at the roadside is to meet the immediate needs of the injured , not , to tie pretty knots. And it means improvising to make the best use of what is available. Stockings or legs cut from tights make fine bandages as do strips torn from shirts A folded tie wrapped in a hankie is a good pressure pad. A ballpoint pen will splint a ,broken finger, a plank from a fence , a broken leg. Look around you; the possibilities are endless. •
This article is reproducedJro m the magazine oj the Ins titute oj Advanced Motorists, The photographs are by the Metropolitan Police.
EDINBURGH ORDER EXHIBITION
THE MOST comprehensive exhibition on the Order of St. John ever put together in Scotland is being staged in the Canongate Tolbooth , Edinburgh , th is summ e r from May 27 to Sept. 11. T he history and the modern activities of the K nights of St. John are being presented to the Scottish public and visitor s by the displa y of priceless m edieval document s, c rucifi xes and missals, seals and insignia , furniture paintings and print s, photographs and maps, an audiovisual section and a tableau. The exhibition is being organised by Edinburgh City Museums which has put on highly successful shows in the past, in collaboration with the Priory of Scotland. A special booklet r elates for the first time the history of the in medieval Scotland to the general history of the Order as a whole There are good reasons for holding such an exhibition at this time. Th e Priory of Scotland has expanded its activities enormou sly in the last twen t y years and ,is now becoming a real force ilif Scottish life . And the hi st ory of the Order in Scotland , for
which there is a great deal of orginal material is now the subject of seriou s research . Incidentally , since the most knowledgeable experts on the subject are associated w ith the exhibition visitors can be assured of reasonable historicaJ accuracy besides a professional display.
The Hospitallers came to Scotland in the first half of the 12th-century and were greatl y favoured by the kings. 200 year s later they increased thefr estates when they acquired the properties of the Templars , who had been suppressed Scotland is scattered with the medieval remains of their possessions , including the magnificent tower and crossing at Torp-hichen their headquarters, and the romantic s hattered ruins o(the centre of Templar activites at Temple (Balantradoch). The Order in Scotland was unusual in two ways First , its extensive possessions , to be found all over the kingdom , were run from one single commandery or preceptory, so that the Preceptory of Torphichen must have been one of the largest , and certainly one of the most difficult to administer , Hospitaller commanderies in the world Second it was a commander y that in practice passed out of the control of its prior - at Clerkenwell in London - partly because of the Great Schism , in which Scotland supported one Pope and E ngland another and partly , )!)erhaps, because both the papacy and the central government of the Order in Rhodes were sens itive to Scottish national feelings. Torphichen , therefore , was a kind of supercommandery , to all intents and purposes subordinate only to the Grand Master in Rhodes.
The exhibition is divided into twelve sections. Section i illustrates the early , history of the H6spitallers in Jerusalem the foundation of the Order by Gerard and the
, defence of the Holy Land. Se c tion 2 shows how the brother s came to Scotland and deals with the establishment of their headquarters at Torphichen and their absorbtion of the lands of the Templars in the earl y 14th century. Section 3 considers the link s between the Scottish preceptory a nd the central go v ernment of the Order in Rhodes , and the delicate question of its relations with .the Priory of England at Clerkenwell. Section 4 gives evidence of the close persona) relationship that existed between the Kings of Scotland and the leading brothers - the Preceptors of Torphichen sat regularly in parliament and at times held high offic e in the state. While sections 5 and 6 illustrate the spread of the Order s possessions in the the development and role of Torphichen as a centre of government and the career s of the men who were preceptors.
Section 7 is de v oted to the Reformation and its conseq uelJces in both England and Scotland , where the Order was destro y ed and the last preceptor , James Sandilands , was elevated to the secular pee rage as Lord
Torphichen. Section 8 tells the story of the Order on Mal a and in Catholic Europe up to th e pre s ent day: section 9 deals with the re viv al of the non -Catholic Orders of St. John in Germany and Britain; and section 10 with the establishment of the Priory of Scotl and in 1947. Section 11 is an audiovisual pre sentation of the modern activites of the Prior y of Scotland , while on a raised p latform there is a tableau of the Knights of St. John in proces sion, Finall y, section 12 illustrate s an interesting feature of medie v al Torphich e n - the Great Right of Sanctuary , by which those who feared rev enge were immune from violence though not from fair trial while within an area surroundin g the preceptory.
Thi s brief description ' gives some idea of the range o f the exhibition but cannot do justice to the fascinating way in which it is presented or to the quality of the exhIbits Ever y one interested in the Order and its histor y who is anywhere near Edinburgh this summer ought not to pass over the chance of seeing thi s unique di s play. J , R -S
f Scotl and
Charte r of King Ale xander t h e S eco nd confirming th e prev le g es o the K night s of St. John in Sc otland ReprCldu ce d by c ourt esy of th e Sc ottish Re c ord Offic e
FISH STINGS
from N. C. Ingle
The article from the Sunday Times on Beach First Aid which was reprinted in April Review showed some surprise that people have to be treated for fish stings. In my opinion fish stings deserve a mention in the joint manual as they are quite common, very distressing to the casualty and only easily diagnosed and treated if you are prepared for them.
The weever fish has poison spines on its back and around its gills and often lies under the sand with the spines protruding. The casua"1ty usually complains of having trodden on something sharp under the water followed by severe stinging. At first glance there appears to be no wound but on closer inspection two pin pricks about 1crn apart are visible with slight reddening around them. The degree of pain varies but can be such as to cause the casualty to roll about in agony I do not claim to know the best treatment but I find that spraying with relieves the pain in a few seconds. I usually ask the casualty to wait for about five minutes to see whether severe pain returns or the reddening begins to spread as it does in about half the cases. If so -I send the casualty to hospital.
Shoreham -by -Sea N. C. Ingle
SEX DISCRIMINA nQN ACT
from Mrs M. Craven, Divisional Superintendent
One of the ways the above Act should affect divisions is the Regulation that nursing cadets must take their Home Nursing examination before starting to take subjects towards the Grand Prior s badge; and indeed even the fact that Home Nursing is compulsory for girls but not for boys.
Surely this regulation should now be amended so that it is compulsory for both girls and boys to take Heme Nursing and even for adult divisions?
Bradford M. Craven
The Chief .officer Cadets writes:
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 is, I believe primarily intended to prevent discrimination in the fields of paid employment. Voluntary appointments with the St. John Ambulance do not constitute employment within the meaning' of the Act. However, tme possibility of bringing ambulance cadets into line with nursing cadets, by requiring them to pass their P.H.N. exams , is already under consideration (not I may say, as a result of the aforementioned Act!)
from W. E. Street
In reply to the Lady Officer A. Female, re the Sex Discrimination Act's affect on St. John (April Review), may I suggest the answer is: make St. John an all mixed divisions organisation, with officers and NCOs holding rank on merit?
Here is a golden opportunity to cut down the number of officers with which St. John is at present top heavy in proportion to other ranks. At least that is how it appears according to our present rules and regulations.
With regard to her seniority enquiry, when two of equal rank are present the one who has held the rank longest should be considered senior.
Exmouth
RED HOT NEEDLE
from E. J. Baker, Association Secretary W. E. Street
The raincoat recently introduced into Supplies lists is very well made and of very suitable material. I have found only one fault; the buttons were stitched on, as the West Country saying goes, with a 'Red Hot Needle and Burning Thread'. -Not a very serious defect EXCEPT that tMe quite large ar.ld heavy shoulder-straps are retained in plarce only by one small button. I very soon lost one (and, if Supplies cannot replace it I'll make the remaining one inte a chin-strap to retain the co)lar when turned up - a worthwhile improvement).
READERS VIEWS
Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to 'the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundations Although , readers may sign published letters with a pen -name, writers must supply their name and a ddress to the editor.
This was only vexatious to an NM but had I been, say, a Grade 1II officer or above, I would have lost a lot of expensive metalwork (that is, probably, what is meant by the aphorism Uneasy lies the head that a Crown'!).
To my colleagues then I give the warning: Put a stitch or two each side just in from the loop sewn into the shoulder , then the security of the shoulder strap will not rest on one button. And to my good friend s at the Gate, I suggest that replacement shoulder straps be make Supplies Items. And can there also be a chin strap such as the old great-coats had also Supplies Item , please?
Bath Jack Baker
THAT MEDAL
from Adrian L. Hughes, Member-in-Charge
Miss V. Ronaasen's letter History and Review (Review , April) gives a description of the "British War Medal 1914 - 1920". This medal wa s approved by King George V in -1919 to record the bringing of the war to a successful conclusion and the arduous services rendered by His Majesty's Forces. The medal, which hangs from its ribbon by a straight clasp , bears on the obverse the effigy of George V. The reverse represents St. George on horseback tramping underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers and a skull and cross -bones, the emblem of death. Above is the sun of victory. The male figure rather than a symbolic female one, was chosen because man had borne the brunt of the fighting. The figure was mounted on horseback as symbolic of man's mind controlling a force (represented by the horse) of greater strength than his own. The ribbon has an orange watered centre with stripes of white and black at each side and borders of royal blue.
The medal was awarded to His Majesty's armed forces as well as to members of recognised organisations who actually handled sick and wounded.
Should Miss Ronaasen be interested in reading more about the medal I would recommend a book by Capt. H. Taprell Dorling DSO, R N, called 'Ribbons and Medals ' , to whom I acknowledge my thanks for the above information.
London, Ell Adrian L. Hughes ' (Medallist)
THE REVIEW
from George H. Nicholson, Ambulance Member
Thanks for publishing my letter about old copies of the Review. I'm pleased to say that a lot of these have now gone to members who have ' only recently started to take our magazine
It is amazing to me that so many people, with years of SJ experience, have only just found out the HQ runs a magazine.. And although you publicise the Review on the back of each copy, those who already take the magazine will see this.
I suggest that it would be a good idea if you contacted every Area 'HQ witli! a view to getting each division to take one copy, to lend members. This in itself would increase sales, and would no doubt lead to members ordering their own copy. i think this worth considering. Noltingham George H. Nicholson.
EDITOR: Quite agree - and so doe s the Commis s ioner -in -Chief. A year ago the C - in -C stated in Brigade Orders that one c opy of th e Review for e very division was now a legitimate ch a rge on div is ional eJ(penditure. But there has been little reaction to thi s Shortly w e s hall be sending a letter to this effect with a sub s cription form to ev ery division.
MOBILE UNITS
from Mrs. C. D. Whitnall, Corps Sec. The Folke stone Corps is considering acquiring a mobile first aid unit of some sort. We have in mind an ambulance fitted to tow a converted caravan
Having followed the series in the St. John Review on ambulances, I wonder if readers could give us a few leads on - mobile first aid units? Any helpful information would be appreciated.
156 ShornclifJe Road C. D. Whitnall Folkestone , Kent
EDITOR: Apart from any direct advice to Folke s tone Corps, the Review would be very interested in any material on mobile fir s t aid units which would help others considering such a project.
SJA BOSTON has pulled off a mobility double - it commissioned an ambulance and a first aid caravan on the same day! The ambulance (above) , gift of Boston Rotary Club , was handed over to Div. Supt. 0 _ Connell ; the caravan , for which over £1000 was raised by 59 sponsored s wimmers aged from 7 to 70, was handed over by Miss June Holmes to her brother , Div Supt. (C) R. W. Holmes Gre at stuff, Bostonians!
SJA Cannock, Staffs , (2 photos below) recently acquired its first ambulance. Facts: 7-year -old County Council vehicle , cost £108; 500 hours work by members ; many gifts; total £480. News story appeared in two papers , then full -page on SJ A a week later SJ A Staffs now has I I ambulances. M o B I L I T V
The three vehicles above are operated by SJA Bletchley in conjunction with the Area Health Authority's ambulance serv ice, the 12 -seat mini coach (bottom) being kept very busy on thr ce -weekl y visitors' service to three hospitals. Note Brigade radio call -si g ns (276 and 119) on wings of upper two vehiclesver y useful at large public duties with other SJ A vehicles. ., -
WALES
Exchange visit between Lancashire and Gwent
THE FIRST SJ A exchange visit between Lancashire and Gwent, Wales , took place ove r Easter when seven ambu lance aFid eight n u rsing cadets from Preston, Ribhle Area , ' made a 5 -day visit to Newport.
On their first evening the pa rty had their programme explai n ed to them by the Priory for Wales HQ Officer K M. Dunn, and then the Commissioner for Gwent, Sqn. Ldr. E. F. Old and, welcomed them.
Day 2, Apr il 17. In the morning the party visited St. Fagan s Castle and the Welsh Fo lk Museum and after lunch went on to the Priory Headquarters where they visited the Counci l Room with its many meda.ls and
relics on show. The evening was disco -time at Cwmbran, as guests of the Greenmeadow A/N Cadet Divisi on, when everyone really let their harr down.
Day 3 , April 18. Accompan ied by the Assistant Commissioner for Gwent , Mr B. H. Blackman, the party attended morning se rvice at St. Woolos Cathedral, Newport. The afternoon - swimming at the local baths : and in the evening they were shown the fi l m 'The Pulse of Life' recently acquired by S1. J oh n in Wales. After the film Area
Supt. (A) A. Bilsborough, who led the Ribble party, presented a tie from Lancashire, on behalf of their Commissioner Col. D. B. Long, to Sqn Ldr. E. F. Oldland , and a p aque to Mr. K. M. Dunn.
Day 4 , April 1,9, After a free' morning the party vi s ited the Gwent Area Health Authority's ambulance training school at Caerleon , where they were met by the station officer. As well as being shown equipment carried b y one of the new ambulances , the party were shown over the control and
p lanning rooms, buring the evening , after discussing in mor e detail the return visit of Gwent cadet s to Ribble l ate r in the year, Mr Dmnn presented souvenirs to t'he Preston members.
Day 5 April 20. In uniform the party went to a reception at the Civic Centre where ea ch cadet' was presented to the Mayor CIlr. R. Williams. Mr. Bilsborough handed the Ma yo r letters of greeting s from the Mayors of Preston and South Ribble, and a plaque from the South Ribble CouFlciL A fn er var ious other presentations, the Mayor presented to each of the Preston par t y a certificate from the Priory for Wales as a so uvenir of the exchange visit
During the visit to Wales the cadet s staye d with families of St. John members Th e return visit of Gwent cadets to Preston will be from October 22 to 26.
Obviou s ly a highly successful venture, which should pl aya major role in forging a new link between the Priory for Wales and the County of Lancashire.
JERUSALEM
N. IRELAND
National Dock
Labour Board
sideways.
One o f the casualt es has fallen from the adde onto a s talL su ffering a penetratin g wou nd of the chest wall a nd c losed fractures of h e 5th, 6th and 7th le ft ribs. Hi s compan ion
News'from Divisions/Centres
JERSEY - Four teams - the Police, Electricity Co, and the Brigade (Nursing and Ambulance) - took part in the Jersey Centre's annual first aid competition on April. 12. Winners were: Le Masurier Cup , Brigade (Ambulanoe): The Scott -Warren Cup, Police: The Cronnier- Voisin Cup, Electricity Co.
One test, which involved a folk -s inger getting an electrical shock when he switched ofT his equipment, caused some French guests in the hotel where the competition was held to rush to reception to call an ambulance. A Centre member reassured the vigilant visitors.
MERSEYSIDE - 18 teams from the area entered for the open annual competition for the Dr. Colin Wynne Memorial Trophy , organised jointly by Southport Centre and Brigade Corps.
The competition - the situation was an elderly factory cleaner had collapsed from some form of asthmatic condition - was won by the Cheshire Police women's team; second, Parkside Colliery ; and third , Merseyside Police.
OBITUARY
C. J. HALLIMAN, founder member and former Superintendent, Middlesbrough Central Ambulance Division. Brother . Nursing Officer JIM MARTIN and Staff Sergeant RICHMOND, both of Central Ambulance Division.
'We've got say Redhill cadets. the first time they've won at the East Surrey competitions. (Photo: Surrey & LondGn Newspapers)
(Above. L & R) At the Merseyside competitions (see report). Raising a patient from the floor; and a close watch for marking. (Photos: Seton Newspapers. SouthlDort)
REVIEW CROSSWORD No.6 (76)
Across:
(Complied by W A POller)
1. Get nice arrangement for inborn characteristics. (7). 5. Ovarian hormone controlling part of the menstrual cycle. (7). 9 Active in mind right after beer (5). 10. Irish tart producing a joint disorder. (9). 11. Mal-treat. (3 3). 13. Therefore out of bed for the first course. (4). 14. Be ill from failure (3). 16 Boy and the French make a scoop ( 5) 17. Nerves supplying the muscles of the hair follicles (9). 20 Blood channels of the liver. (9). 22. Cause of unconsciousness which is difficult to see. (5). 24. Joint fruit. (3). 25. Knee taken from huge nurse. (4). 26. Specialised language of a trade involving physical constant and inert gas. (6). 28. Arteries branching from the subclavians and uniting to form the basilar artery (9). 29. Beer one does not get when slimming. (5). 30. Lens for myopia (7). 31. Mixture of tea and nut s producing serious complication of wounds. (7)
Down:
). Body of the sternum. (9). 2. Goaded by acupuncture practitioner. (7). 3. Teetotaller has absorbed nothing in a small amount of liquor. (3). 4. Hand deformity resulting from paralysis of muscles supplied by ulna nerve. (4). 5. Orthopaedic instrument for cell active in absorbing bone. (10). 6. What the doctor said in the cartoon. (5). 7 Assist the surgeon to nave implioved access to the operation area. (7). 8 Cavity in the face containing sodium, sulphur, and aluminium. (5). 12 Staunches pedicles. (5) 15 Conveys sensory impulses from the retina to the brain. (5.5). 18. Notorious secret society involved in coma fiasco (5). 19. Make inert change before it is an ophthalmic condition (9) 21. Functional unit of the kidney (7). 23. Troublesome toe -nail s fike a house plant? (7). 24. Widespread disorganisation and damage (5).25 Great upset for a girl. (5).27. Foot resulting from a fallen arch (4). 29 A complete group to reduce a fracture . 0)·
Down: I. Congestive: 2. Nit: 3. Bacilli ; 4 Solar ; 5. Tyr.o ; 6 Motor me rve: 7. Lister: 10. Ulna: 14 Bone marrow; 15 Beta ; 16. Down at heel; 18. Spot: 19. Lip. 24. Le.vaLor; 26. Lotion: 28. Data ; 29. Polyp 31. Stop: 33. Roe.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
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Classified
The Queen's Birt.hday honours
THE following honours have been awarded to members of the Order of St. John for public services not necessarily connected with the
G.B.E. Sir Murray KCVO, KCMG, Governor of Hong Kong and President of the St. John Council (KStJ).
Knight Mr. N. D. Pixley, Batchelor Receiver General, Australia
C.B.E.
Dr. K. L. Batten, Warden and Chief Surgeon, Ophthalmic Hospital, Jerusalem
Mr. Watkin W. Williams, CBE
THE news that Mr. Watkin W. Williams , our - has been awarrded the ClBE in the lBirthday Honours List will be received with delight and pleasure by every member of the Brigade in this country and ilil the Commonwealth, besides his many friends in the Order and the Association. Mr. Watkin
Williams' connection with St. John started soon after he became an assistant maste F at Eton and in 1943 he had the imaginative idea to form a St John A m bulance Divisio I1l in Eton, the membership of which was ope m to both boys from the school and local inhabitants. One of the members perhaps particularly to be mentioned was the late Prince William of Gloucester, who often accompanied him and a local junior Post Office employee on public firs t aid duties in , the area.
After tfue appoilDl tment o f Divisional Superintendent of the [€Jt on and District Division in 1962, Mr. Watkin Williams became an Area Superintendent in Buckinghamshire and subsequently held St. John Ambulance appointments at most levels in ' the County , during which he devoted much time to giving instruction on leadersfuip training com r ses.
On n:tirement from Eton in I 969 to live in Essex. Shortly afterwards a number of mounting St. John Ambulance problems
Mr. Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
PIl0fessor Norman Ashton, FRS Pilofessor of Pathology, London KStJ, Memller 0fthe Ophthalmic Hospital Committee
O.B.E. Mr. F. G. Thomas, Assistant Direetor-G(neral in Buckinghamshire made it imperative for a new Commander St. John Ambwlance to be appointed for the County. Despite the dome s ti c inconvenience , Mr. Watkin Williams agreed without hesitation to accept this appointment which much travelling between his home and the units spread throughout Buckinghamshire.
At the end of 1971, he was appointed Deput y Commissioner -i n-Chief in London where his long experience and wise counsel are appreciated by everyone at HQ and in the Counties All readers of The Review are familia,r with atld enjoy readi mg each month's A.t Random - WatkiIil is far too modest a man to proclaim his own virtues in this his monthly contribution - so it is right that this tribute should be paid to him because he has set such a magnificent example to his fellow men of the true meaning of voluntary sf':rvice.
Mr. Maurice Fox, MBE S Gordon
M.B.E. Mr. Avon County PRO
Mr. E. R. G. Cain, Isle of Man County PRO
Prineess Helena M0utafialil, President, London District (for social services to the community)
B.E.M. Mr. O. R. Rees, Gwent
Mr. H. C. Newell, Salop
REVIEW
THE JOURNAL OF ST JOHN
Volume 49 NO 7 July 1976
Mr. Maurice Fox, of Avon, ha s bee n awarded the MBE.
Mr. Fox , a company director who was educated at Bristol, Grammar School joined the Bri stol Central division of the St. John Ambulal1ce in 1939 and was pr o moted to the rank of county sta ff officer upon his ap pointment as public relations officer ten years later. He held thi s po sition uIiltil last yea r when he became staff officer to th e commander.
Mr. Fox, a well -known figure in Bristo l, ha s given thousands o f hour s voluntary serv ice , especially at the Bristol R oyal Infirmary, w here twice weekly for 37 years he has worked into the early hour s of the momiI1lg Olil reception at the accident and emergency department.
He has been the drivin g force behind the building alterations and fund raising events which has given the Avon St. Joh n Ambulance the new and well-equipped headq uarters if! W oodborough Street , Easton, Bri sto l.
Mr. H. C. Nowell, BEM
Mr. Harold Christopher Newell, 73, who has been a member of SJ A for 50 years, has been awarded the BEM (Civil).
Mr. Newell, who joined the Brigade at Oakengates in 1926, transferred to , Shrewsbury in 1928 and promoted divisional offlicer iIi He is now at CO llllilty HQ Sfulliews bury.
Mr. Newell 's wife, who died 5 years ago was a SJ A member for 40 years
Contents
At Random, by Watkin W. Williams p 145
SJAMercy flights Down Under, part 1, by Derek Clark p.146
Emerg e ncy Aid: Is a little knowledge dangerou s7 by Profe s sor H. C St e wart p 150
Eton s al e p 151
Around and About, by the Editor p.152
Rou nd the world with SJA, by Sir Leslie Monson p.156
PR - CHAT : New ex hibition and disp la y material , pat! 2 p.158
Re vi e w for e ve ry Divi s ion p 159
Order Inv e s t iture , May 27 p 160
, Re a ders ' Views p . 162
NI,ews'from S c ot"l a nd - Wales p.164
Over s eas - 7 d a ys in Lourdes p 155
News from Divisions/ Centres p.155
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Edi t ed and produ c ed for the Order of St John by Driscoll Produ c tions Wood Cottage High Corner , Butley Nr. Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 3QF Phone Orford (Std 039 45 ) 54B Editor Frank Driscoll.
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Price 26p month y £3 60 per annum, including postage, from Rev ew Sa es St. J o hn Ambulance 1 Grosveno r Crescent, London SW1X 7EF
COVER : Traf a lg a r Squar e National Fro nt" demonstrati o n d uring April. A ca su alty who had be en c rush ed a g ain s a co n c
AT RANDOM
by Wat kin W Williams Deputy /Commissioner-in-Chief
DURING the interval between my sending last month;s 'At. Random' to the Editor and its appearing in print, I was delIghted to read two documents which came to Headquarters' from two widely different sources and which related closely to what I wrote last month about 'Bridging the Age ·Gap'. I should have been less than human if I hadn't been to find others in ' the Brigade thInkIng along the same lines as myself and .It'S not surprising that I should want to share 'their ' thoughts with you all.
The first of these, which came from Colonel J. M. orbes , Commissioner for North Yorkshire, was an mformatory copy of a circular which he had sent to all Staff Officers, Area Commissioners and Divisional . Supe:mtendents in his county, giving the report of a workl.ng party set up last year to discuss 'the problem of that maturing cadets move up into the adult to cut out the large wastage we face from this splendId source of young adults and indeed the wastage of young who leave our adult divisions perhaps dIsllluslOned with what membership of St. John Ambula?ce offers'. The second was a very imaginative and challengmg press ,to the Editor by the Ley ton Am .bulance Cadet DIVISIon In London District, on the of how far St. John Ambulance has progressedor faIled - during. the past hundred years, and some for further progress during the hundred years that lIe ahead. It was particularly good that this document should have come from a Cadet Division and clearly contained by the cadets themselves as well a,s by theIr officers. Though it's unfortunately a g?od deal ·too long for in full, I shall hope to gIve you a summary of ItS contents some time during the next two or three months, because I feel sure that they present a wholesome and stimulating challenge to our thoughts and actions as we approach our centenary year.
DEREK CLARK, of SJA's AeromediEal Service, has been to look at
SJA MERCY FLIGHTS DOWN UNDER
part one
The author, who , is honorary technical adviser to SJA 's Aeromedical Sen!ir;;e, was in South A ustra/ia from January 25 to February 20 this year to study the Air Ambulance Service that St, John operates in the area and also Australia's Royal Doctar Service, The purpose of the visit, which was arranged between Mr. Clark and Don Jacquier, who is in charge of Australia's SJ Service, was to gain injomiat icJ/1 that ,might be valuable in developing SJA's A ir Ambulance Service in the UK.
South Australia's air ambulance service developed, of course, from its roa d ambulance service, so Mr, Clark first looked at the service on the ground.
PRIOR to 1952 sma ll p r ivate ambulance 'services com p eted with! eac h ot h er in thle Adelaide area The r emainder of South Austra l ia (three times the size of the UK) h ad fou r ambulances. One St. John ambulance operated in t h e Adelaide area. In 1952 se r vices were a m a lgamated under the direct ion of St. John, with a full time staff of 12 and using telep h ones as the sole means of comrFIunication The service developed s low ly unti l 1956 when better ambulances and eq uipment became available and new centres 'opened. From 1958 onwards the general public started to learn first aid and ambu ance work .'
Today St. John in South A Ustralia operates 225 ambulances arid clinic cars, 140 o f these being in the Adelaide Metropo litan area (population 809 000), the remainder serving 75 country tOWI1lS There is a fu ll -time staff of 241, 196 in-
Adelaide , the remaining 45 in outlying areas
P aid staff man the ambulance service in two shifts from 6am to 7pm in Adelaide and some of the l arger country areas such as Whyalla (pop, 35 000) and Port Augusta Nights and weekends the service is manned by voluntary members of whom some 400 to 500 live in Adelaide, T was impressed with the way volunteers and full -time paid staff worked together t9 provide such an excellent service. All full - time staff are recruited from voluntary members. In the rural areas (the major part of South Austra lia) ambulances are manned entirely by vo l untary staff.
During my visit to South Australia I was able to visit 12 of the ambulance bases ranging from the main metropolitan base at Hindmarsh, to the outback base at Coober Pedy which has one ambulance and three vo l unteer members
Hindmarsh Ambulance HQ is the main centre of operations controlling all am bu l a nce stations in the metropolitan area of Adelaide This centre contains vehicle and radio maintenance sections, radio. control room, administrative officers, training school and stores department.
Unti l recently the radio network was AM. Conversion of the metropolitan service to FM Solid State radio network with four channels is now almost complete, and the countr y ambulances are in the process of being converted. The cost of conversion is es ti mated at over £ 155,000.
Channell: Country ambulance service.
Channel 2 : Metropolitan normal amubulance.
Channel 3: Metropolitan clinic ambulance, Channel 4: Medical
Channel 4 provide s a dir ect link between ambul a nce crew s and the two major rec eivin g ho s pit a ls. It is thus possible for a c rew to obtain expert advice direct from the doctor at the receiving ho s pital.
Th e radio room has dir e ct lines to all radio a nd TV s t a tion s and information concerning m ajo r accidents, etc , is fed out over these line s , provided the radio room operator s h a ve s ufAcient time. Manning is by full -time radio operator s under a radio room s upervi sor.
Training Centre
All full -time s a ff are required to under go ini t ial trainin g and refresher courses at thi s c e ntr e which has a full - time trainin g staff.
The centre ha s designed the new e mer g enc y care ambulance ( EM - Care) , d e tail s of which w e re published in the R evi e w, May 1976.
The metrop o litan a rea st a ti stics for 1975 are: Ambulanc
direc;; t with possible to case. ,.. ... 1< ambulance bases. divert an aircraft to
It is thu s pick up a
The centre ha s branche s at Kimb a, Tumby Bay Lock , Cowell , Ceduna, Clev e, Streaky Ba y, Yalata Ab o riginal Re serve, Coober Pedy, Wudinna and Woometa, Each branch ha s one ambulance manned by volunteer members except Woomera which, at pre s ent , has a Commonwealth ambulance. Four of the s e ba s e s were visited by air and by road durin g my s ta y in Why alIa
Upper E y re Penin s ula s tati s tic s for 1974 (road ambulilnces):
Whyalla ambulance base Branche s Trip s 3 , 355 608 Mileage 43 ,456 27,915
Bec a us e of t h e location of branches n s pars ely populated territory the average mileage per run is hi g h It s hould be noted that psychiatric ca ses are not usually flown from any of the b a s es , but are taken by road to Adelaide. From the nearest centre to Adelaide is 246 miles. Paid and volunteer ambulance drivers may be involved in ver y lengthy journe y s takin g several hours. This was a frequent o ccurrence for all case s until the development of the air ambulance service
Thi s s ection of the country's ambulance s ervice is controlled by the Why alia centre under Don J aequier ,as Officer -in-charge. The are a covered is approximately 11/2 times the size of the UK. At Whyalla there are - thre e and one clinic car" with four paid and 30 v..o lunteer ambulance drivers. A centre ,officer is in charge of the radio room and there is a, se cret a rial s taff of four. The three aircra(t c o n trolled from thi s centre are fitted with ambulance radios and can communicate
Full -time s taff are also member s of St. John in a voluntary capacity. This gave rise to confusion with rank markings simi ar to s ituations in the UK , where a three pip technical officer may be working on the air ambulance service with a nonprofessionall y qualified member of higher rank. I was particularly interested to note th e system adopted for full-time staff which might have po s sibilities in this country a s an optional uniform for air attendants with modification s.
Gold bands on epaulettes as follows:
Four broad band s : Chief Pilot
Three broad bands: Pilots
Two broad bands: Centre Officer Grade 1
Mercy Flights Down Under (contd.)
One broad band and one narrow band:
One broad band:
One narrow band:
Air Ambulance Service
Radio Operator Centre Officer Acting Centre Officer
The main base for the air ambulance service is Whyalla, which is 147 miles by air (246 miles by road) north west of Adelaide. Whya)Ja is ideally situated for this service, in view of its close proximity to the remote regions of South Australia and 48 miles from the flying doctor base at Port Augusta (the next town).
St. John, having taken over the road ambulance service in 1952, developed a State-wide service. At WhyalJa this commenced operations from an old tin garage and attracted the attention of Don Jacquier, who became a member of St. John and developed the service with such enthusiasm that he now an area 1'/2 times the size of the UK.
From an analysis of journey times routes and mileage covered by the ground ambulances (ie, five hours by road to the Royal Adelaide Hospital) the possibility of usi ng aircraft was considered. An investigation of costings showed that with the distances involved, it would be as cheap to run an air ambulance as a land ambulance inclusive of labour. In October 1965 money was borrowed and a single engined Cherokee 235 was purchased and became the first air ambulance to bear the name of St. John and the eight-pointed cross. So successful was the venture that the aircraft was sold after 10 months and a larger plane, a single engined Cherokee 6, was bought, which was later changed for a third Cherokee 6, with double doors for easier loading of stretchers. The service continued until 1971 with one aircraft, which was changed at intervals to obtain the best trade-in price In 1971 a second single engined Cherokee 6 was added to the service and changed, in 1972 for a twin engined version.
From 1972 to 1974 the air ambulance service operated with one single engined and one twin engined Cherokee 6. In 1974 the single was changed for a twin. With the continued growth of the service, a third single engined aircraft was added in-J anuary 1975 as a stand-by, and arrangements made to base one of the three air ambulances at Adelaide Airport in view of the increased routes being covered. The single was changed later in the year for a 1974 model secondhand twin. ,
At the time of my visit (January 1976) the service, controlled entirely from the Whyalla St. John Ambulance Station, was operating with three twin engined Seneca aircraft, one of which is turbo -charged. During the course of my visit tentative arrangements were in hand for the purchase of a fourth Seneca, two aircraft to be based at Whyalla and two at Adelaide.
The service, set up in 1965 primarily to se rve the Upper Eyre Peninsula now serves the whole of South Australia and also undertakes inter-state flights to such places as Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. A major development during my visit was the decision of Broken Hill, in New South Wales, to use the St. John aircraft in place of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Further developments with the RFDS are a distinct possibility.
Administration
At present, maintenance of the aircraft is undertaken at Parafield Adelaide, one of the three aircraft being checked each day. Two aircraft, one at Adelaide and one at Whyalla, 24 hours a day with the third ai rcraft on short stand-by at Adelaide.
Five pilots are employed, all of whom undergo training as ambulance officers and thus wear St. John pilots' uniform.
Don J acquier, as Officer-in-Charge of ground air ambulances, has been responsible for all administration. With the increasing volume of work and probable pu rchase of a fourth aircraft , the chief pilot who is based at Why alia, will assume for the day - to - day administration of the air ambulances under the direction of Don J acquier, with two pilots and aircraft based in Adelaide and two pilots and aircraft based in Why alia.
Pilots \ are interchangeable between Adelaide and Whyalla, dependent on their fl yi n g hours and days off. The chief pilot, in addition , to undertaking the day -to -day administration of flights, will be free to cover for other pilots and stand in during pilots' holidays (six weeks a year).
All requests for air ambulances are received by the duty officer at the ambulance station (centre officer), who calls out the pi lots. A n essential part of the efficiency of t he is the use of only one control centre. Any request for an air amb u lance received at St. John HQ in
Adelaide is automatically referred to Whyalla. irrespective of where in South Au s tralia the request may come.
Air Attendants
All St. John members acting as air attendant s on St. John aircraft are required to have, in addition to the standard Association certificates, the Ambulance Transport Nursing Certificate (A TN). This certificate requires an advanced standard of knowledge and is based ,on the St. John SA textbook Casualty Care and Transport, which is at present under revision.
The Whyalla Division operates a rota system so that one volunteer air attendant is on standby for each 24 hour period. A similar system operates in Adelaide, air attendants being supplied by the SJ A , Division nearest to the airport. In full-time St. John ambulancemen are used both from Why alia and Adelaide.
Medical equipment
Medical equipment carried in aircarft is ba s ed on the same principles as I have adopted for the UK service. OxygenationResuscitation - Aspiration. The stretchel fitting used in South Australia is of interest. , The stretcher is to those used with ground ambulances, so a stretcher case from hospital to hospital, involving an ambulance at departure and destination airfields, does not have to transferred from one stretcher to another. On arrival at the aircraft, the aircraft stretcher and ambulance stretcher are interchanged, with the same procedure at the destination airfield. pilot is responsible for keeping the aircraft stretcher made up with sheets and blankets. Loading the stretcher into the Seneca is particularly easy and is achieved in one minute.
There are special fittings in all aircraft for the carriage of a new-born baby in a Portacot, with a special power supply for the unit at the side of the stretcher installation.
Retrieval teams
Accidents and emergencies occurring in outlying areas may require expert help flown to the area before the patient is moved. A retrieval team usually consists of two doctors. one anaesthetist and one specialising in the type of condition requiring treatment (eg, paediatrics). These teams operate from the Royal Adelaide and WhyaJla hospitals. The initial call in these cases goes to the hospital, who then call up the air ambulance. Each retrieval team carries a special set of equipment.
Cost to patient
The cost of air ambulance transport is identical to charges for road ambulance (charge based on kms flown). So the ambulance will frequently be cheaper than a
Statistics
These are for the last three years and
Financing
Purchase of the initial aircraft is the major problem. but after this it can be traded in for another aircraft as and when necessary. Finance for the first aircraft is borrowed, and a sum - is then set aside to allow for depreciation. Assuming that £12,500 had been borrowed, £ 12.50 per flying hour is added to the operating cost for depreciation. At 1000 hours the purchase price has been recovered. Thus depreciation is being ch arged to the patients while the aircraft is being used. This assumes that no money is being taken out for profit (ie, a non-profit making organisation). A sum is also allowed for engine overhaul and maintenance. Don · J acquier always sells aircraft before engine overhaul is required at, usually, 1000 to 1400 hours. The advantage of selling an aircraft without any engine hours left ·and purc hasing another avoids the service being without an aircraft while the engines are being overhauled.
Flights
During the 18 days I was at Whyalla, 55 · air ambulance flights were controlled from the centre. On no day was there not a flight. On two days there were six flights, carrying .eight and six patients respectively. On day there five flights, on ' three, four flights, and on five, three flights. A busy service indeed. (Continued next month).
MAYDAY!
Three special 2-hour Mayday sessions of Emergency Aid - aimed at drawing public attention to SJA 's drive to train at least one person in every household in the four basic principles of life-saving - were held at Headquarters on April 30 for the world of entertainment and other personalities. SJA's
Director-General Nevill Marsh introduced each session and Chief Train ng Officer James Newcombe instructed.
(Above) Bernie Winters and Anita Harris make the point'that learning first aid can be fun as well as useful. (Below) While when disc-jockey Ed Stewart practises putting a real body into the recovery position, the rea l personal value of such knowledge is obvious on everyone's face, not only Sarah Lawson's (just behind Ed). At
carried out in seconds, if you know how, and which can be life-saving when there are only minutes to spare.
Many may think, if you grasp the sides of a wound to control bleeding and your hands are not clean you may infect it; or if you raise a broken arm or leg to control bleeding it will make the fracture worse; or if you place someone who is unconscious in the 'Recovery position' and they have a fractured spine, you may paralyse them or make a paralysis worse; or if you apply external cardiac massage you may break ribs; and so on and so on. But if one survives an injury, why worry about making it worse if the is necessary to save life?
The four priorities we concentrate on in Emergency Aid are:
EMERGENCY AID
Is a little .knovvledge dan ·gerou ·s?
1, Don't move the casualty unless you must - protect him from further damage
2. Is he breathing?
3. Is he bleeding - seriously?
4, Is he unconscious?
asks Professor H. C. Stewart Deputy Director-General
THE TITLE is a glib phrase often quoted, but invariably misused. Sometimes it is said by members of the public about first-aiders on duty, implying that if they were injured they would rather wait for a doctor or trained nurse than be attended by us. I can also hear some of the older and keener members of St. John saying 'You can't teach first aid in 2 hours!' Let us look at these statements and see how they stand up to critical examination.
The statement 'A little kJ!owledge is ', a dangerous thing' is not true, despite the frequency with which it is used. If however it was worded 'A little theoretical knowledge can be a dangerous thing', I, would agree absolutely. But what is Emergency Aid all about? It is first aid stripped of frills and things of lesser importance; it is a matter of concentrating on the life-saving procedures, It is not intended, nor is there the time, to go into the theoretical side of the subject. First aid, in any case, is essentially a practical exercise, and Emergency Aid is 100% practical That is why it can be taught in two hours - there's .no time to explain the whys and wherefores or for the instructor to tell Y0U of cases he treated at Wimbledon Tennis Fortnight, Brand's Hatch, or in Hype Park at the Queen's Coronation Review. It just concentrates on four things that can be
If the problem is a single casualty, it is much easier than if a number of persons are involved. In the latter case there are a few points worth remembering, For example, many casualties because of their shocked condition do not suffer and their appreciation of pain is limited, at least until the ambulance arrives and often until they reach hospital. If breathing has ceased, there is only 'about 4 minutes available in which to prevent the ' possibility of permanent brain damage lack of oxygen,
Bleeding can be a 'red herring', It is often either not as bad as it appears, or can be stopped by direct pressure or by grasping the sides of the wound, and raising the bleeding part may help. In any case, shock often comes to the rescue again, by slowing the heart and lowering the blood pressure, so that the potential bleeding is reduced regardless of any action taken to prevent it.
The great life-saver in many cases is the 'Recovery position', when the casualty can breathe unattended without the risk of
swallowing his tongue or vomit. Vomiting may occur during the return to consciousness. Don't change the casualty's position because his condition is improving and he now appears conscious again. Leave him in the 'Recovery position' until the ambulance arrives while you attend to others. It is not an uncomfortable position and it is much safer to be left like that for too long rather than for too short a time.' As a motto to work to, remember 'A stitch in time saves nine'. Over the years many many times lives have been saved by these simple measures quickly and correctly applied. The object of Emergency Aid is to maintain life until someone or organisation who is more experienced -the ambulance service, a doctor or hospitalcan take over. Give casualties a fair chance by knowing what to do and how to do it. Take a course in EmergenG:y Aid - so that you can hand over for further care, in a better condition than you found him, any casualty you may come across,
ETON SALE
In aid of Hospital SJ Ophthalmic
THERE were obviously some bargains going at the bring and buy sale organised by Lady Caccia at the Provost's Lodge, Eton, on May 8 when over £2,000 was raised for the S1. John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusa lem.
Nearly-new clothes from top names in fashions , nearly-old a ntiq ues (one was too valuable and went to Christie's), and home-
(Above) The stalls in the Provost's Lodge election hall. (Right) Many rare and valuable books and manuscripts were given for the book stall , manned by the Curator of St. John's Gate, Miss Pamela Willis. (Below , right) This silver casket given for the nearly-old antiques stall, proved too valuable for the sale and is going to Christie's for auction
made produce - baked and brewed - were on sale in the Election Hall, where the Lord Prior , Lord Caccia, who is Provost of Eton, was lending a hand on the stalls, A lso Cadets helped out at the 5-hour sale, which included tours of the college, the Lodge and its treasures - plus a glass of vino!
FEW CREAKS
The President of Council of the Order of St. John for London, Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templar, KG, has announced tl\at 'other increasing commitments' have forced him to relinq uish the post he had held since 1971.
Council chairman Group Captain G. H Pirie said: 'H aving been with the council s ince its inauguration he has seen it well off the ground, and has helped it to become a really active organisation.' '
The Field Marshal commented that St. John was not only a wonderful body of people in an Oider that, cOrripared with other bodies, had very few creaks, but also that 'St. john underestimates its importance in the country's affairs: it is an active Order and never has there been such a time when it is so important for the country to have such a body.'
LIFE ON THE OCEAN
The following salient points are from a report on the SJ A Malcolm Miller February cruise written by crew-member AIM Bernard Minto, of Stockton and Thornaby Ambulance Division.
Feb. 29: After seeing a film about the cruise Gonvinced we had made a mistake.
Mar. I: Sailed crew feeling unwell.
Mar. 2: In open Chan nel most of crew seasick.
Mar. 3: Watchkeeping at sea - everyone wished they had stayed at home.
Mar. 4: Near France suddenly great improvement in morale.
Mar. 6: Bound Brixham... everyone refreshed ... know more about what they are doing.
Mar. 8: (Technical narrative - about courses, manning ship - and EATING!)
Mar. 10: (Technical narrative againbut no moafls.)
Mar. II: Meet and race Sir Winston Churchill we'll beat her!
, Mar. 12: All hands on deck Force 10 gale !
ABOUND and ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING OIN IN THE WORLD OF ST JOHN
BY THE EDITOR
finished life-long friends
APPOJNTMENTS
Bucks: Dr. Burne took over from Mr. Orlik as Commissioner on June 24. Lincolnshire: L. Johnston to County Director.
Oxfordshire: A. F. Till, County Director from Jan. 1 1977.
Northamptonshire: R. J. Harris, to County Director.
Priory for South Africa
Priory Secretary: Mr. L. M, Manson. Deputy Secretary: Mrs. L. Steyn. Brigade Secretary: Miss W. Donaldson.
, johanitter-Unfall-Hilfe, Germany
General Wolf von Zawadzky has succeeded Graf Zu Bentheim as President.
Lt.-General Willikens has succeeded General Zawadzky as Chief Executive.
Mar. 13: Last day - reluctant to part from new -found companions... amazing sense of achievement It's , a challenge, a tremendous challenge Essential for SJ A, everybne agreed... Started as strangers,
CUP FEVER
Injured when cup - fev e r swept through 30,000 people who welcomed t he S o uthampton t eam when they re t urn ed home with the FA Cup in May SJA Divisions on duty treated 60 cases two havin g to be brought down from high buildings , Then at the end of the day a liV - camerman fell from a platform, breaking a leg and causing stomach njuries A hecti c 'd ay, (Photo: Southern Evening Echo)
Editor: I hope it's not'trite to say: The best things in life are rarely easy.
SHY?
Good news from Kent s Tenterden Division. Increasing membership means they can take on more duties, and the division is better off financially - they recently received £100 from the local Lions Club, £25 from the Rotary, £250 from a sponsored cadet walk. But' although .they ve got plenty of boys , they re short of nursing cadets. Is this a case of the shy girls of Tenterden?
And yet nearby Folkestone, it is the nursing members who are flourishing The town's ambulance cadets closed down some time ago through lack of support, but now I hear the boys ' interest is returning 12 attended a recent meeting , so the ambulance cadet section is being revived.
MISS OR MRS.
hear that a Headquarters committee (women's) says that entries for the Miss S1. John 1977 competition might be married or single So no changing your status till after 1977, girls
LONG, LONG
Members and friends of Oxfordshire s Southern Area (adults) walked 50 miles from Cheltenham to Beckley (Ox on) during April to raise cadet funds - the cadets having done their stint on an earlier night - walk. The walkers g ot B & B (and supper) en route from Central Area s Wyc hwood Divisionwhere liniment and surgical spirit revived those who almost walked themselves into the ground.
The walkers - who comprised couples (The Beckett s , Englands, Hardacres and Hughes) a s well as loner.s (too many names) staggered, it is reported, to the local pub at th e end of their long , long journey.
LONDON FINALS
While more visitors would have been welcome at the London District Finals 'on May 15 at the Duke ofYorJ('s HQ Chelsea - there was plenty of space in the area put at St. John ' s disposal by the Army - it was
MIND BENDERS
Find the first aid word or words in the clue. The number of letters in the answer is given. To get you used to the idea. I'll give you the first answer
CLUE : Two girl s on your knee (3,4), ANSWER PAT -ELLA O.K?
, Deceitful per so n abou five (5)
2, A g lad o ne mi g ht start it ofT(3)
3. Grab that Which the dog may bury (6.4 )
4. Tak e a loo k a so me small footwear perhap s (3.7)
Answer: Upside down - are at the bottom of page 154. No Cheating.
pleasant that so many members of the London Council of the Order were able to be present.
Casualties Union deserve praise for the hardy way in which they simulat,td accident cases in bitingly keen wind that blew clouds of dust ' from the nearby running -track over everything and everyone.
The winners, who are practising hard to repeat their success at the National Finals in July, were:
Moyra Browne wasn't at first too keen to appear on telly in the ITV programme Drive- In' during May - she felt she wouldn t come across well enough to n:;present SJA nationally in demonstrating the value of Emergency Aid at a car accident.
Nonsense, Moyra - you were great!
Only hope we don't lose you now and again to panel games
25,000 AwARDS
More than 25,000 awards · have been presented to members of Barnsley Division since it was founded in 1955, reports their annual meeting - on average over 1000 passes a year for first aid examinations.
COACH IACCIDENT'
RIVER PATROL
Following in the wake of SJA Reading's river rescue service, another SJ A river patrol is getting underway on the Thames at Weybridge, I hear. Supt Steve Smith of Weybridge Division, was recently with a £550 cheque to buy a boat by Mrs. Carol Whitcombe, organiser of St. Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, fund-raising activities. SJ A will soon be covering the whole of Old Father Thames.
GRAND PRIOR
The Duke of Gloucester, the Grand Prior of Order, will visit the Exhibition of the Order of St. John, which is being held in Edinburgh throughout the summer, on July 12.
Wellingborough members with their ambUlance , on the scene of a biplane crash at a 2-day air show at Sywell, Northants during Easter. SJA Northants had at least 120 personnel , 15 vehicles and one mobile unit on duty over the Bank Holiday.
Fire swept through the headquarters of SJA St. Helens, Lancs, during May, causing ' £20,000 worth of damage. The building and equipment were completely destroyed.
Corps Superintendent Cyril Shepherd said: 'At today's prices it will cost about £50,000 to renew the place. Despite any likely insurance compensation, we will not l;le able to afford that. We will have to appeal to the public for donations.'
Corps Transport Officer Derek Unsworth, who is also area treasurer, said: 'Fortumately the fire did not damage our ambulance - it only slightly damaged the roof of the garage. But it's a sickening blow. I do not know how we will manage to carryon.'
SJ A St. H e\ens, with 100 cadets, now has no meeting place. Police are investigating the cause of the fire.
When senior Suffolk cadets met at Aldeburgh during April for a leadership training weekend under Brigade Chief Training Officer Col. Pat Adams, the first task he set them after they had been divided into groups was to plan the weekend's programme! Pat didn't then retire to the bar (as some - or I - might have done), but he certainly seems to have shocked everyone· into two days of training that really got down to the nitty-gritty of leadership.
There was dancing on Saturday evening and by the time Sunday pm arrived everyone was ready to get back to their divisions to put some of the new ideas into practice. Within a week, one young woman had already organised a sponsored beach-clean in her horne town.
WORRIED MUM
A Help! cry appears in this month 's classified adverts from Somerset County Superintendent Mrs. Jean Hodge - who refers to herself as a 'worried mother '. Mrs. Hodge's daughter, :who as a secondyear student at London's University College has to vacate the halls of residence for the new term in September, is desperately lookin g for a flat or somewhere to live in London to share with two other girl students. If anyone can help, Mrs. Hodge's address is in the advert.
FINIS
Retired Notts CSO William Ashmore certainly ran into problems when he wrote a book about St. John in Malta's Diamond Jubilee, after visiting the island in 1969. Having written the book, a fire at the printers destroyed his manuscript and photographs. Nothing daunted , he sat down
MIND BENDERS (answers)
again to rewrite the book and obtain duplicate photographs. This time the book was safely printed and went on sale. Recently Mr. and Mrs. Ashmore returned to Malta to present a cheq ue for over £ 100, proceeds from the book, to the Commissioner, Mr. E, H. W. .for St. John in Malta. (See photo right).
Mr. W. Ashmore (left) presenting the c h eq u e to Malta 's Commissioner, Mr E H. W. Borg. See story FINIS. (Photo: Tim es of Malta)
I AT RANDOM (cont.
Aware
Now to return to North Yorkshire. Following a year during which the county had become acutely aware of the steadily dwindling number of its adult members through loss of promising cadets who rejected the opportunity of promotion to adult membership, and of the fact that, among the few young people who did join adult divisions , the majority soon drifted away in apparent disillusionment, Colonel Forbes set up a working party to study the whole situation in depth and to make recommendations about how the coin could be reversed and the 'problem' turned into an 'opportunity'.
They first looked into the causes of cadet wastage, and listed a total of 13 which seemed to me to fall into four main groups:
(I) The period of development from adolescence to maturity is one in which young people's interests may change radically , and activities which captivated their enthusiasm in their teens may not have the same appeal in their twenties. Establi.shing themselves in adult life rightly becomes a prime objective, and the lack of job prospects in many areas was causing n,umbers of young people to move elsewhere.
(2) Cadet mem bership is too often presented to them as an end in itself, rather than as a preparation for adult membership , Cadets should be trained to look on adult membership as their goal, and when the time comes for them to reach it they should not be given the cold shoulder but welcomed with open arms. This is particularly important when young adults join in ones and twos; it takes a good deal of courage and determination to join a strange a dult community on your own, especially if the majority of its members are middle -aged or elderly.
(3) The poor standard of leadership among many officers of adult divisions results in unimaginative and often shoddy methods of training, with no properly planned programmes which would stimulate of newcomers and
from p.145)
provide them Wltn a challenge to face the requirements of annual efficiency public duty commitments and competition training. Consequently, something that ought to be a glorious adventure becomes a tedious humdrum chore.
(4)
The need for change in bringing all divisions, both adult and cadet , up to date in a wide variety of respects.
Divi sio ns in which the methods of training are boring , unimaginative and stereotyped, divisions whose members are of one sex only, divisions whose members never meet each other except for so-called 'drills' and public duties, and who never meet members of any other divisions at all, divisions in which the prospects for young people of gaIning promotion and shouldering responsibility are virtually nil - all such divisions are unlikely to tempt keen young members to join them (or, having joined the to stay in them) until they have undergone a radical tran;formation
Suggestions
The working party suggested forming an 'A rea Link Group in which adult members in the 16-25 age group ' could meet together socially and pursue such activities as map reading, casualty simulation, signalling, lifesaving, fire-fighting, search and rescue techniq ues, outdoor first aid activities, and training in leadership qualities including Brigade administration'. They also commended to the serious consideration of all officers throughout the county the following excellent suggestions:
(a) Programmes should be - properly planned, with advance notice given of a year's programme in outline and a quarter 's programme in detail, and with officers and NCOs detailed to plan and
(b) take charge of specific activities. Those giving instructional sessions should be quite clear about' what they are setting out to teach and should have carefully prepared their lessons well in advance.
(
c) I Programmes should include discussions of general interest, outside activities, guest speakers on a wide variety of subjects and then follow-up activities , competition training with involvement of all members, invitations to other divisions and visits to other services.
(d) It is vitally important that all divisions - cadets no less than adults - should have a full complement of officers (including surgeons and nursing officers), NCOs, secretary and treasurer, and that superintendents should as far as possible delegate duties to other officers, NCOs and members.
(e) There should be regular social activities involving husbands and wives, outings, social evenings, etc
(f) The activities of all age groups and both sexes should be more closely integrated, eg, by forming combined divisions by all age groups working together in areas of common interest, such as competition training, fund raising and public duties, and by more frequent joint training ,of adults and cadets , including cadet/adult inter-divisional com petitions.
(g) There must be a change in the attitude of man y adult divisions towards cadets, with a closer link between adult and cadet divisions resulting in a more active support of cadet divisions by adults, a greater use of cadets as fully involved participants in public duties, and a more positive recognition of the role of cadets as our adult members of the future.
The Brigade in North Yorkshire is tackling this problem with the most active support of their Commissioner. He and they would be the Iast to suggest that they are the only people who are doing so; but the knowledge that they are doing so can give strength and encouragement to others elsewhere, and it was for this reason that I felt that a s ummary of Colonel circular should be more widely public ised than in his own county.
DURING March and April I visited St. John organisations in Sri-Lanka (previously Ceylon), Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Fiji. The purpose of the trip was to get to know the people - and their problemsin countries with which I would be working on St. John matters from London. My visits, therefore, involved many discussions, mainly designed to educate myself, and meetings with Chairmen of Councils and other leading members in St. John organisations. But apart from that, the journey gave me a marvellous opportunity to revisit and make new friends in ,places I knew in the past. From the trip I've brought back many happy memories that will stay with me for a long time.
In Sri-Lanka I remember particularly a parade which was held in my honour in the old town of Galle in the Southern Province.
At
Galle was the first seat in the island of the Portuguese , to be followed by the Dutch and finally the British. It still retains its old walls and many old buildings. My m eetings in the morning fer example, were held it! a mote l occupying a building which the Dutch had built many years ago , but {ts thick walls and high ceilings still admirably kept out the midday heat. The parade which I inspected was held in front of the modern Town Hall with in the background the old walls of the city. This mingling of old and new traditions was also reflected in the parade arrangements , especially when the Commissioner of the Brigade and I were escor.ted gnto the parade ground by a band of young ladies in traditional Sinhalese costumes and playing the traditional musical instruments of the island, small ,drums ,
conches and horns. After the parade we adjourned to the local St. John HQ in St. Aloysius' College where I met many St. John members over tea with, in the background, an accompaniment of devil dancirng by cadets beneath the protective cover of the St. John emblem.
From Sri - Lanka I went to Malaysia, arriving in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is of course a Federation and the St. John organisation of the country is also built on federal lines , with twelve 'regional commands' (one in each State) to which it is the policy to devolve from Federal Headquarters responsibility for SJ activities within each State. It was naturally the desire of the Federal HQ that I should visit each State but with the time available this was, regrettably , not possible. In five days ,
however, I managed to visit St. John in four States , as well as to attend a meeting of the National Officer s with the Commanders and Deputy Commanders from each of the States , which luckily was being held in Kuala Lumpur at the time of my visit.
A particularly moving occasion was w hen I a,ccompanied t hose attending the conference to the National Mosque in K uala Lumpur to pay tribute to the memor y of the late Prime Minister of Malaysia , Tun Abdul Razak , who had been President of the St. John Federal <:ouncil.
Outside Kuala Lumpur v isited Seremban , capital of the of Negri w here I met Brigade officers at their headquarte r s (every nigh t volunteer s man a pbs t here for emergency c a ll s) and at
a social function in t he evening when a film of their activit es wa s shown.
I t hen fle w north to the State of where w ith officer s of the Brigade in Perak we were entertained to lunch by the Prime Minister of the State, after a parade at the s plendid S1. John HQ (which had been opened by the late Grand Prior) in Ipoh the State capital. During the afternoon I saw a vivid reminder of the humanitarian work of St. John. A short distance from Ipoh is a high limestone cliff from w hich a great mass of stone had recently fallen to kill many people who lived in the houses at the foot of the cliff. Among the dead were St. John Ambulance members. Lo cal Br i gade colleagues had been working round-theclock on rescue operations for several days.
From Ipoh I fl ew to the beautiful island of Penang , where another aspect of the worldwide conneCtions of SJ A was brought home to me when I found members , who were serving with the Ro y al Australian Air Force in Malaysia in v olved in training and in a demonstration by local Brigade members in the t o w n of Penang.
Round the world
with SJA
A 6-week getting-to-know-you trip by Director
Overseas Sir Leslie Monson
From M alaysi a I went to the bustling and thri ving industrial city of Singapore, where I visited the impressive ' new town ' of Jurong
The chairman of the New Town Association explained how much help had been given to the to w n by its SJ A Association Sub -Centre.
The Centre provides a manned ambulance post for t h e general public , and the chairman was a nxiou s for more such posts to be opened to deal with the expanding -population of the town. A reception to welcome me 'at West Area was held in the large hall of the St. John HQ , which was filled with JTIembers of all ages -even
including babes in arms! There was Chinese music and folk dancing , and the whole company finished by singing Auld Lang Syne in English and Mandarin. Either language seem to fit the tune! My next port of call was Hong K.ong. Here I jo ned a large gathering of about 200 SJ people for dinner in one of the island's largest Chinese restaurants after having visited the SJ A headq uarters both at Kowloon, on the mainland , and on the island of Hong Kong itself, where I met many people who devoted time to St. John work. I also went to the racecourse (a great centre of social activity in Hong Kong!) to visit the SJA team standing-by to deal with first aid for spectator s or jockeys F rom Hong Kong the next stage of my journey took me into the Pacific to Fiji. The territor y of Fiji includes many islands cover ing alarge area, so my short stay was confined to the main island of Viti Levu. First r went to the western or dry' (climatically) part of the island, then I went on to the capital, Suva, in the 'wet' zone of the island In the west, I visited the gold mines of Vatukuola , where I was honoured by a traditional Fiji ceremony of welcome. An agreeable feature of the ceremony is that the guest of honour is not required to reply to the welcome himself, but is provided with a spokesman who replies on his behalf. But the guest does not in any way prompt his spokesman. In fact, if he doesn't understand Fiji , as I don t , he won't even have a clue of what his spokesman is saying on his behalf! But being F iji , you can be pretty sure that he s saying the right things
During the speeches the traditional Fijian drink of Yaqona was prepared on the spot in a wooden bowl or Tanoa, and then handed to the guest of honour in a coconut shel1, Finally I was presented with a Tabua (a w hale s tooth), which by Fiji tradition is an honour reserved for the most distinguished guests. But whale s teeth are now in short suppl y and permission has to be obtained to take one out of the country. I was most touched to be able to take mine with me. There is already a Tabua at the Order's Headquarters at ,51. John ' s Gate , so the one I received now adorns SJA s Headquarters at 1 Grosvenor Crescent.
Going on to Suva, the capital , I saw the new St. John headquarters building which was nearing completion, This new building will provide not only a working place but also a soc al centre for Association and Brigade members so helping to a closer relationship between them. In , Suva I heard of a wider field of S1. John activity in the Pac fic. The University of the South Pacific and the South Pacific Education Training Centre (both in Suva) include first aid and home nursing in their Home Economics diploma courses. The training
(Above) First stop - Sri Lanka (Ceylo n), L to R: Commissioner Lt Col. Jilla Deputy Commissioner Dr. Fernando Chairman of bounei Mr. Wijesinghe ; and Sir Leslie Monsen
156
SJA Malaysia's HQ, Kuala Lunnpur - meeting National Officers, State Commander and Deputy State Commanders
Round the world
with SJA (cont.)
officers of -SJ A Fiji are responsible for teaching these - subjects at both establishments - so their teaching influence is spreadi ng throughou( the Pacific.
From Fiji I returned to London via the United States, so in six weeks I went round the globe in the service of St. John. Two main thoughts about the trip dominate all others.
First, everywhere I was welcomed not only by confreres in St. John but also -by people of standing. I was received by the President of the Republic of Sri-Lanka; by the Governor-General of the Dominion of Fiji; by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health in Malaysia; by His Royal Highness, the Ruler of the State of Negri Sembilan; by the Governor of Penang; by the Chief Ministers of Negri Sembilan and of Perak; I was the personal guest of the Govern0r of Hong Kong; and in Fiji I met the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, and three Cabinet Ministers. I saw in these receptions not any compliment personally but a sign of the great respect in which the Order of St. John and St. ) ohn Ambulance is generally regarded in these countries.
Second, I think back to that early meeting at Galle in Sri-Lanka. In many places the walls and buildings of Galle bear the symbols and signs of past invaders of the island. Their C0ats of Arms are noW at best memories 0f a dead, historical past. Yet while I was there, beside these sy mbols flew the banners of St. John - a symbol of even more ancient lineage - but one which today is not only alive and active but flourishing and spreading in a world where the desire for service in the cause of humanity by people of many races and creeds is truly universal.
Nevv exhibition and display material PARTTWO
IN LESS than six - months St. John Ambulance's centenary year will be underway. So no· time should be lost in preparing exhibitions that you will be mounting next year, and getting ready display material for special events or to fill space offered at short notice.
The kits and screens dealt with - in last month's PR-CHA T have already aroused much interest as a simple method of quickly erecting publicity material, and every division should acquire some of those items .
This month we are showing (photo 1) an example of a Marler Haley stand 'manned' by a St. John family. The size of the stand can be varied to fit available space and the panels mounted with a variety of illustrations and captions to suit the occasion. Designed, delJivered, erected on site and recoverd by N.L. Display Services, the hire fee for this exhibition stand is £25, plus 15p a mile transport charge from and return London. Photo 2, over display shows captions in flameproof, exhibition-quality expanded polystyrene. Designed and manufactured by N.L. Display Services they cost:
Although every effort is being made to quote prices that will remain steady for at least six months , prices for these items are subject to market fluctuations. You are therefore _strongly advised to place your orders as soon as possible , channelling them through Mrs. Vicki Beevor Publicity Officer of the PR Department at Headquarters. Your co-operation will enable N.L. Display Services to buy materials at current rates and so assure quoted prices.
Unless otherwise stated,it will be assumed that orders for polystyrene kits will be required for centenary year. Delivery will not be _ immediate , but orders will be dispatched in time for launching the 1977 celebrations and handled in strict rotation.
Next month PR-CHAT will include details of 'Operation Rescue' booklets screens and kiosks. Details of the kiosk had to be withheld this month due to a July price increase of materials (the percentage is not yet known) and our aim is to keep prices as low as possible.
SJA Eiland has their own artist
ELL AND Division, near Halifax , has no problems with art-work for its public relations - because one of its members is 67-year -old James Carthew a talented amateur artist. Mr. Carthew , who s been an Association member for 10 years, is at
one blown down in a gale from the Division ' s HQ. Usually he paints industrial scenes and landscapes.
Watching is Elland;s Divisional
Superintendent Richard Marsden and Divisional Supt.(N) Myrtle , Senior . Eiland has 45 adult members and 44 cadets - who should all be very proud of their new emblem. (Photo: Halifax Evening Courier)
REVIEW FOR EVERY -DIVISION
THE Commissioner-in-Chief, Major General Desmond Gordon, has decided th at, from September 1 1976, each Adult Division and each Cadet Division should subscribe to 0ne copy of the Review per month. The :Review will be posted direct to the address of the - Divisional Superintendent (or officer-in-charge), but to reduce administrative costs Counties will be asked to pay these subscriptions on a halfcyearly basis (ie £1.80p each) in advance and recover the amounts due from individual Divisions. A Combined Division is one Division. Divisions or officers-in-charge who already order the Review can of course reduce their present order by one copy, but this will not affect any existing reduced price for their bulk order; where only one copy is ordered, and this is cancelled, a refund on the subscription will be made. Letters about this new scheme from the Chief Commander and the Commissionerin-Chief are being sent to all Officers-inCharge of Divisions in England and Northern Ireland, and to County Offices for distribution to County and Area Staff. As editor of the St. John Review I naturally welcome this move to weld together all our S1..1 ohn uruts through our monthly magazine. If every Division reads the Review and supplies material for publication when they feel they have something to say that could affect other divisions or the organisation as a wholethen we shall be really communiGating, talking to each other every month, sharing thoughts and ideas. And the result will be that each Division will then have at their finger-tips the know-how of all our 4 1750 SJA Divisions. Each will have the potential strength of the total. And just think how much stronger and effective the total could then become!
Yes - it will cost each Division £3 60 a year But with information gleaned from itspages, this figure should be more than made up for by each Division over the year. More important is the information and ideas that can b-e passed on to everyone , so improving the qualities of their first aid, nursing, welfare and general service to the community. No more should there be a Division looking for ideas or a solution to a problem - but rather trying to decide which is the BEST. That's the situation everyone reading the Review should produce. We'll be thinking' as ONE.- Editor
INVESTITURE
ANORAKS
from S. J. Tucker, Divisional Superintendent
In reply to Div. Supt. W. L. Nimmo's letter regarding anoraks (May Review), we at South Molton carry out many of our duties on the western slopes of Exmoor , where although the scenery is glorious the climate at times is far from warm.
Being aware of the need for warmer clothing, particularly for nursing members but also for the entire division, I converted a plain black fur-lined anorak into a suitable garment for Brigade use. I simply added St. John flashes and Devon strips to the shoulders , the badge to the right chest and my rank markings by using the detachable shoulder straps from my uniform raincoat. These are attached to the anorak by the usual loop and small biack St. John button, thus the straps Gan be used for either the coat or anorak.
Thanks to a generous gift, we have since bought from a discount store nine anoraks and badges, etc, from the Supplies Dept., for a total of£50.
We hope soon to equip the rest of the division in this way and so cut the cost of replacing expensive uniforms.
South Molton Combined Division S. J. Tucker
WORKING GEAR
fromG. F. Brown, Divisional Superintendent
On the question of the uniform with which to equip members for duties when the authorised one is not very suitable, our division (St. rves & District, Cambs) has solved this , by each member buying through the diviSIon (to obtain discounts) overalls supplied by J aybrand Racewear Higbury , St, Peterborough. We had these (officially mechanics overalls) supplied in black with white sleeve trim and white stitching, straight legs with velcro wrist bands for £8.50 each (a year ago) They are very hard wearing.
While on the subject of uniforms, I would like to appeal to any cadet divisions who have any former-style ambulance cadet uniforms which they no longer need to contact me as soon as possible, Our need is great.
Carryon the good work, Review - in spite of the price we need you.
S The Green, Somersham, Huntingdon G. F Brown Editor.: On the Review price may I, as a beer drinker, point out that through a news agent the Review costs each month the price of a pint (or less), ie 26p. Whether it's as good or not, depends on how thirsty you are. (I'm making my own ' beer now, 4p a pint). But the more Reviews we sell, the longer we can hold our price. Which in the long run, means it will become cheaper in our inflationary world.
RADIO EQUIPMENT
from F. Trower, PRO
As there has been quite a few comments lately in the Review about radio communication equipment, I thol,lght you might like to know that Hackney Division has been helped to obtain sets and advice from Bob Brown, of Brentwood Communications, 178 Warley Hill, Brentwood, Essex (Phone 0277 - 225254).
I understand he is obtaining some sets suitable for St. John use at realistic prices.
Hackney Division operates three vehicle sets and four modern hand P9rtable sets.
Bob Brown supplied us with two Pocketphones ali1d has serviced other sets, all at reasonable cost.
This information might be useful to other divisions. Hackney Combined Division F. Trower
ENTONOX
from W. V. Savage, Divisional Superintendent (R) ,
In the January Review (page 6) a picture shows an Entonox face -piece being held to the patient's face by the attendant first aid member. We are ili1structed that Entonox face-pieces must be held by the patient, so that when gas is effective the face -piece falls away and the patient does not get an overdose of gas. We've been instructed that
READERS VIEWS
Readers ' views and opi nions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Fourndations. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen -rlame, writers must supply their name and addr ess to the editor
under no circumstances should the face-piece be held onto the patient s face by the attendant.
Letchworth W. V. Savag e
The S urgeon-in-C bief writes:
I would agree that the photograph does suggest that an ambulance member is assisting the patient- by holding the mask to the patient's face . It is possible that this impression is due to the timing of the photograph but this is unfortunate since it is clearly laid down that when administering Entonox the mask must be held by the patient and no other so that risk of overdose of gas / o x ygen m rxture cannot occur.
SEAFARER S ALL from Malcolm Miller c r ew-men
We would like to thank those involved in organising the recent training cruise on the ST A s schooner Malcolm Miller especially Headquarte rs Staff Officer A. Mackay and our Divisional and County officer s. Also of course the Commissioner -in -Chief, Major -General D S. Gordon , from whom we each recently received a ST A tie
The cruise was an adventure that all three o f us will never forget. It was a very enjoyable fortnight.
To fellow crew - members , the best of luck for the future , and we hope to see you at the ST A reunion Also best wishes to the SJ A a\lgirl crew for their voyage in June. Incidentally, we beg to differ with Clare Tilley who said her ship the Sir Winston Churchill was the better schooner. Does she know its nick -name - The Rust -Bucket ?
But to all shipmates a reminder of seafaring day s, by courte sy of th e captain - PORT FIV E ! Kent Micha el Cox , Alan M ayc ock
REVIEW READERS H IP from W. E. Street and Bria n Paice (A / Ms)
It was interesting to read another comment about sales of the Review (May Review) , this time by no less than the Deputy Commissioner -inChief Watkin W. Williams. Also his reference to Mr. J E. Smith s letter (March Review) on county offices supplying their divisions with three copies a month , and that the Commissioner-in-Chief had suggested 12 months ago that each division should receive one copy fwm the same source.
I sti ll think, however, that something more dr astic is needed , more on the lines I suggested (Dec Review): that there should be a Brigade rule that each division should be responsible for the sale of copies to at least 75% of its members , and so keep the Review up to standard and -ease some of the editor's obvious problems. Only in this wa y will the Review reach the people for whom it is' intended , and remain solvent.
At a recent regional competition I took the opportunity to ask various people if they or their division took the Review and was amazed at the replies and some excuses raised. One or two peop\€ said their divisions took one Review and passed it around, but usually after two or three members had seen it nobody knew who had the copy.
Such poor interest is deplorable.
Suggestion s in the Review to increase readership might scratch the surface, but they are merely preaching to the converted and more drastic action is called for NOW
Ex mouth
WHAT MEDAL
from G. H. G. Tilling
W. E Str eet
The medal described by Miss Ronaasen (April Review) is indeed , the British War Medal , 1914-1920 (note the final date). The thing being trampled on is not a slain dragon but a sh ield bearing an eaglesymbolic of the Central Powers.
The medal could be awarded to civilians as weI! as service people and could be gained by approved service overseas - not necessarily in theatre of operations
[ 'm afraid I know nothing about Mr. Burrell, but he did not need to be in the RAMC to qualify for his medal.
London, SE2l G. H. G Tilling
BACKGROUND TO IT
from John E. Dane , Divisional President
I was pleased to read Miss V. Ronaasen 's letter History and the Review (April Review) because I agree with her on the presentation of St. John history.
What interested me most, however was her discovery of what she believes to be a 1914 - 18 Serv ice Medal. This is correct but what is most exciting is the fact that the specimen she found has direct connections with the Order of St. John.
To tell the full story and answer her questions one has to go back in the history of Military Ambulance.
One thing I cannot s ay is who H. J. Burrell was but it is certain that he or she was a St. John or Red Cross member now at least in their late seventies if still alive who served ov erseas as a V A.D during the First World War
On March 20 1918 the Germans attacked the British fifth army with a million men made available by the c ollapse of Russia. The position was critical and we had our backs to the wall. Every available British soldier was sent to France including myself (although under the usual age for that adventure) and so I qualified for what is officially known as the British War Medal 1914-1918.
The medal is circular and made of silver, a truncated bust of King George V is given on the obverse while on the reverse S1. George is depicted in the act of trampling on the shield of the Central Powers Behind St. George the sun of victory has risen. The three straight lines under the horse's rear hoofs shown in the illustration should be wavy , representing the sea Crossing the sea being one of the terms of the award. '
The!"e is a straight clasp carrying a watered silk ribbon. This has a central band of golden yellow silk with three stripes of white, black and blue on both sides. The blue stripes come to the edges.
The letters on the rim of Miss Ronaasen s find, B.R.C. and St.J.J , stand for the British Red Cross and St. John Joint War Committee.
The British Red Cross Society was founded in 1905 , b y the amalgamation of the National Aid Society and the Central British Red Cross Council. Its aims were to assist the nation in times of war. At 'this time , international tension was growing due to the expansionist policy of Germany and her allies, known as the Central Powers. Germany, the strongest military power in Europe , was rapidly il1creasing the strength of her navy. This was looked upon as a direct uhreat to these islands and the possibility of invasion in event of war.
In 1908 the GO l1 ernment decided to strengthen our home defence b y the creation of a Territorial Army with Territorial un its of the Royal Army Medical Corps; which was established by Royal Warrant in 1898, succeeding the Medical Staff Corps. These Territorial units included field ambulances, casualty clearing stations, fixed hospitals and base hospitals To cover the care of the wounded on the lines of eommunication , the Government asked the Order of St. John and the ' Britis h Red Cross Society to form Voluntary Aid Detachments for which began in 1910. Members of our Nursing Divisions
and
This scheme was to be brought into operation in of invasion and when the war broke out in 1914 there was no invasion so there was no roll for this band of keen volunteers who were most anxious to put the ir training to practical use in the war effort. Strong representations were made to the War Office but it was not until February 1915 that an order was issued allowing V A D. members to work in war hospitals at home and abroad. There were 308 St. John Detachments with a total strength of 9 ,428 Brigade Nursing Members. The Order of St. John through its Ambulance Department was recognised as ' One of the Red Cross organisations of Great Britain ' , which appeared in small print as a sub-title on all St. John Ambulance Association certificates issued during the war with the Red Cross in the top right-hand corner
In October 1914 a Joint Committee of the Order of St. John and British Red Cross Society was formed to ensure a combined effort in ' carrying out all work for the sick and wounded that had not been organised before the outbreak ()f war
In France a Joint Headquarters was set up at Rouen and before the end of the first year of hostilities was maintaining 14 hospitals with additional dressing stations , 12 depots of medical stores , nine convoys
READERS VIEWS (cont.)
of motor ambulances and three hospital trains. An enquiry department was organised to trace the wounded and the missing.
These activities continued to expand in France and Olil more distant fronts. The number of casualties increased year by year to a total of 2,700,000 when the armistice came in 191.8.
At first the most desperately urgent need was the provision of motor ambulances. The British Expeditionary Forces were equipped with horse-drawn ambulances, officially known as Wagon Ambulance Mark VI, of which only 20 remained after the battle and retreat from Mons, which lasted two weeks.
Every effort was made by the Joint to meet the need and the total number of motor ambulances sent out eventually reached 7800. After the war some of these ambulances became available to St. J oh n Divisions.
To conclude, I quote a tribute paid to the V.A.Ds when the end of the war came:
The part played by the men and women working under the organisation and auspices of the Ambulance Department of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the British Red Cross Society is drawing to a close and their energies will soon be directed along other paths and to other ends,
NEWS from SCOTLAND
THE growth of the Order in Scotland continues. In late April an inaugural meeting of the Inverness-shire committee was held; and. embryo committee has now formed to operate in DunbartoI'lshire. This puts the number of l(:)cal committees into double figures: ten years ago there were only three. Moreover, with an eye to the future, the Junior Youth Association goes on expanding. A section of cadets is now based at Albyn School, Aberdeen, working with the handicapped children at the Raeden Centre.
J. R-S
WALES
Loughor sea rescue
EIGHT men were saved from drowning by the Laughor St. John Ambulance Inshore Rescue Serviee when a 26-foot converted lifeboat, the Seahawk, disintegrated after smashing against a Loughor Bridge support while going out to sea.
County Staff Officer Wilfred Pitman, coxswain of the rescue -boat, said, 'I received an emergency call at 8.30am. I rushed to Loughor Bridge and saw two men in the sea clinging to Iifejackets which they hadn't had time to put on. Six more men were clinging to the Bridge supports. There was a very fast tide'.' Together with another crew member, Davi,d Inkman, the rescue-boat was launched.
Public attention should be focused on the patriotism bravery and sustained efforts of this group of devoted w(:)rkers for they have borne a noble part among many branches of our Naval and Military Forces, They have emerged from tile great struggle with credit to themselves and to the grea t Ambulanee Organisations of which they are representatives.
It is needless to dwell upon the magnificent work these men and women have accomplished. As volunteers they assumed a national burden and without anticipating payor reward they have given of their best and for some five years of their lives have attended the sick and wounded in hospitals, in the field and on the railways and on ambulance wagons in France, Serbia, Palestine and Mesopotania. In typhus o!ltbreaks and in cholera camps they have braved the dangers of infection, and of bomb, shot and shell on every front and in every country where their presence was requested. Not a few have laid down their lives in the cause of humanity, and many more contracted illness or became permanently disabled in their gallant endeavour to help the sick and wounded.
This is known from the length and breadth of the land, for from 'Tower and Town and H"amlet' they came to supply Britain's need.
Their work will remain a glorious legend in the nation s history and sacred memory of Christian endeavour.
Croydon
'The men clinging to the bridge were terrified', said Mr. Pitman, 'and we couldn't get them to let go to pull them into the boat. The tide was running at 7 to 8 knots, which made the operation more difficult.'
However, they got 4 men into the rescueboat, landed them by the boating club, and then went back and got the other four.
The rescuers were then told that one man was still missing. Mr. Pitman said: 'A fullscale search was then launched with Mumbles and Burry Port rescue craft joining in. A helicopter from Brawdy stood -by , and experienced members of the Loughor Boating Club joined in the search. One of the latter picked up the missing man'.
Apparently the Seahawk had safely negotiated the river under the road bridge when the engine failed, and was swept back by the tide to be smashed against a bridge support. Almost immediately she disintegrated, throwing the nine men into the water.
H irwaun exercise
A recent SJA (Cynon Valley District) and Fire Service disaster exercise, with the West Glamor&,an Ambulance Sefvice, involved an explosion at a brickworks with 13 casualties. Altogether 90 first -aiders were on the scene and the exercise drew a large crowd of interested spectators as a result of prepublicity in the Aberdare Leader.
The day began with a film on 'Disaster Management' and the incident itself produced two casualties in a smoke-filled oven, two on a cat -w alk 90ft high, and others in machinery, a pool of water and near acid tanks.
Quite rightly, the possibility of such a disaster should involve everyone locally, and through publicity this exercise, which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Hirwaun, really caught the imagination of many people not actively engaged in any of the participating services.
HOW TO DEAL
wrfH ,
humble spud , let us imagine some wealthy person having the misfortune to slip whilst €arrying home 56 pounds of potatoes.'
I OVERSEAS
(ReprimtEld
FOLLOW I NG St. John Ambulance's work with the Sovereign and Military Order of M.alta in Rome during Holy Year last year, the Brigade was asked if we would provide a team for the Sovereign Military Order 's pilgrimage to Lourdes this year. The pilgrimage was held May 7 to 14 and the SJA team were:
Colonel D. B. Long (Leader), Commissioner , Lancashire
Div. Supt. Mrs. Mary Carr, SEN, Kent Div. Supt. Miss Elma Carter, Humberside
Nursing Member Miss Joan Chester, Somerset
Corporal Martin Mann, Essex Ambulance Member Michael Hennessey, London District
Ambulance Member Maurice Ryan, London District
We started on Friday May 7, meeting at Gatwick Airport and taking off at 12.30 pm in a Boeing 707. The weather on the outward flight was beautiful; we left and arrived in sunshine and from the beginning the atmosphere was very friendly.
We arrived at Tarbes, the airport for Lourdes , at 3.15 in the afternoon and were transferred to the various hotels by' coach. The sick were taken to the Hospital of Notre Dame des Dauleurs.
Saturday morning was cold and wet - in fact, it rained continuously until the day we left! But this weather was not as bad as it sounds The heavy lifting we had to do later was much easier in cool wet weather than in a heat wave.
On Sunday we took part in the processionwhich was held in the under -gro und Basilica, which was most impressive, consisting of the sick, the Knights of Malta and representatives from many countries in Europe. Our duties were: Nursing Members, manning the hospital day and night where the patients had to be cared for and fed; Ambulance Members, loading and unloading
7 DAYS IN LOURDES
trains and aircraft, and taking the sick pilgrims to Mass, shopping and sight seeing. Lourdes - two to three million pilgrimsgoing there each year make it a very busy town - is a fascinating place Its spiritual atmosphere is extremely real and allpervading , which is inevitable, I suppose, when you consider how sick and infirm so many of the pilgrims are. But despite such infirmity, the scene is extremely happy and jolly.
The focal point of the pilgrimage is the cave on the side of the river where St. Bernadette saw the vision of the Virgin. A statue of the Virgin now stands on the spot where Bernadette saw Our Lady, and below it grow roses that bloom winter and summer alike. is also a spring that the Virgin told St. Bernadette she would discover if she scraped away the earth. This spring has flowed ever since and provides water for drinking and for bathing the sick.
Of all the churches in Lourdes the one that impressed me most was that which is reasonably new - the underground Basilica of the 10th. Built underground and entirely of concrete, this enormous church will hold some 40,000 people. Each day there is a Mass for the sick during the afternoon. In fine weather it is held in the large open square in front of the Church of the Rosary , if wet in the underground Basilica.
The sight of all the wheelchairs and stretcher cases is a heart-rending and very humbling experience. The loading and unloading of trains and aircraft is very rewarding but hard work, and can be slightly hazardous. I was lifting a Frenchman from his bed to get him out of the train when he gracefully wee'd over me. Of course such
eventualities have to be accepted, and they are gladly, but still they can be a little disturbing.
It was interesting to learn that the castle in Lourdes was once occupied by The Black Prince when this part of France was an English possession.
At - the end of the pilgrimage were collected from our hotels and taken by coach to Tarbes airport in the ftrst sunshine we had seen since arrival. We had a fine flight home in another Boeing 707, along the western seaboard of France, over the Channel Islands, up Channel to cross the Isle of Wight, and landed at Gatwick at 5.15pm. Lourdes was a memorable experience, and I am full of praise for the way our members worked. They upheld the traditions of St. John in the rmest way. Also I could not praise too highly the reception that we had from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It is interesting to note that in addition to the seven of us from St. John Ambulance, the following people were present from the Order:
His Excellency the President of the British Association of the S.M.O.M., Viscount Monckton , who is a Knight of the Venerable Order ; Col. Catt, Director of Ceremonies of the Venerable Order; and Major Martin Festing , who was there with the Sovereign Military Order but i.s an Area Commissioner with the Brigade in Northumberland.
I would like to pay tribute to Colonel C att. I think it is quite magnificent how a man of his age managed to put in so much hard work loading and unloading the trains - his moustache seemed to bristle with vigour!
I personally hope that this type of St. John duty will continue; it is a memorable €xperience for everyone who can afford to take part.
John E. Dane
The
Col. D. B. Long Commissioner , Lancashire
News from Divisions/Centres
s io n Joined Division 12 .9.75 One of the m ost re li ab le a nd dedicated cadet s of the Divi sio n.
Bernard Henry Ernest Lilley, 59 , Superintendent Yeovil Co mbiri ed Division. Serving Brother. Died s uddenl
REVIEW CROSSWORD No.7 (76)
-(C o mpil er by W. A. Potterl
Across:
I Exhausted and only SO% alive? (4-4). S. Ban oil Dar person lacking pigmentation. (6). 10. Procedure for draining the bladder. (1S) 11. Listless.ness with French origin. (S). 14. Bone forming the inn e r prominence of the ankle. (S) IS. Silent mother. (3).16. Do add a point for the female. (3). 17. Not the dealer who supplies the addicts. (8): 20 Consumed in great enthusiasm. (S). 23. Repent for evergreen plant in French street. (3). 24 Rectal infusion. (S). 26. Took a breath and rebuih part of the church? (8). 29. Withdraw cerebra-spinal fluid. (3).31. How the drug addict feels before having a shot? (3). 33. View a se ns e. (S) 3S. The common alcohol and ether. (S). 36. Martyr a cli e nt at tangled food passage. (lO S). 38. Most recent deceased saint. (6). 39 The user who destroys by fire. (8).
Down:
I. Kicked an opponent's shin at football. (6). 2. Permit a hindrance (3). 3. Old Testament character in the manure for fighting to resolve a quarrel. (7). 4. Avoid an accident. (S). 6 Unauthorise divulgence of confidential informatiofl. (7) 7. Bone of pelvic girdle sounds metallic. (5). 8. Take mint note to get preparation for external use (8) 9. Best idea for an endocrine disorder. (g). 1i. Give assent sleepily? (3). 13 . Conducting structure from iflner ventricle. (S). 18. Wash out a cavity or wound. (in. 19. Girl to take to court. (3) 21. A full set has 32. (S). 22. Encloses biological structural unit on which convicts scribble their graffiti? (4-4). 2S. A result of suppuration. (7). 27. After a co ncealed falsehood it is inflammation of part of the small intestine. (7). 28 Care given to patients who return home at night. (3). 30. Orthopaedic surgeon skilled iN internal fixation of long-bone fractures? (6). 32. Joint affected in Colles' fracture. (5). 34 Put rubbish back , therefore, in the chest and abdomen. (5). 37. An appendage to 34 Down (3).
Solution to Crossword No.6 (76)
Across:
I. Genetic: 5. Oestrin; 9 Ale.rt; 10. Arthritis ; II. Ill-use; 13 So.up: 14. Ail; 16. Lad.le; 17 Pil@motor; 20. Sinusoids; 22. 24. H ip ; 2S. Ge.nu; 26. J.argon; 28. Vertebral; 29 Stout; 30. Concave ; 31. Tetanus.
Down:
I Gladiolus: 2. Needled;
CLASSIFIED
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• B,ASKEli STRETCHERS
• ORTHOPAEDIC SCOOP STRETCHERS
• FRAC STRAPS
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• CERVICAL COLLARS
• CARRYING CHAIRS
,
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COVER:
AT RAND O M
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Com missioner-in-Chief
FOR ONCE , I'm reduced almost to a state of speechlessness - very rare in an ex-schoolmaster! - not only by the CBE so unexpectedly conferred on me in Her Majesty's Birthd-ay Honours , but also by the overwhelming kindness with which so wide a circle ' of friends have reacted to the news. May I just say a very heartfelt thank you' to my many St. John friends at headquarters and throughout the country (especially in Bucks and Berks) as well as in the African and Asian countries that it's been my good fortune to visit, for all the help and encouragement that throughout many years they have given me in our labours together in the Service of Mankind. Without them I could have achieved nothing, and it ' s a real joy and privilege to be allowed to share this honour with them . And nbw may I express the congratulations of all readers of the Review to all those other members of the St. John family who have recently been honoured in recognition of their services to the Order and its Foundations. First and foremost , a CBE has been awarded to Colonel K. L. Batten, Warden and Chief Surgeon of the Ophthalmic Hospital of St. John , for medical services to the community in Jerusalem. Colonel Batten's long and distinguished career as an ophthalmic surgeon has included appointments as Medical Officer in the Overseas Civil Service in Uganda , Lecturer in Ophthalmology at Makerere College , University of East Africa, and senior specialist in ophthalmology in the RAMC In 1965 he was seconded from the RA'MC to work for a year at our ho'spital in Jerusalem, so he was no stranger either to the Order or to the hospital when four years later he accepted appointment as Warden . of the Hospital in July 1969. The past seven years have not only been years of remarkable development and progress in the hospital's treatment and control of trachoma; they have also been years of very grave financial stress , almost continuous political unrest and occasionally , very physical danger Throughout this time Colonel Batten's leadership and guidance of his team of dedicated workers has been as untiringly successful as his acknowledged skill as ap. eye surgeon.
St. John's Day
THE cool of the lofty interior of St. Paul's Cathedral was a welcome relief felr the 1000 Brigade members who marched in uniform , led by' the SJA West Midlands l band, from the Smithfield to the Order's service of commemoration and re-dedication on the afternoon of Saturday, June 26.
With the temperature at nearly 100F, first aid posts set up in the side porches of the cathedral dealt with many cases of heat exhaustion, but none serious.
The service - the preacher was the Rt. Rev. Cuthbert Bardsley who until recently was the Bishop of Coventry - was attended by the Lord Prior, the Lord Mayor of London and at least 30 overseas members of the Orqer and St. John Ambulance.
In the morning, the Order's General Assembly was held in the airconditioned Mansion House.
(Left ) The Lord Prior Lord Caccia , enters St. Paul 's Cathedral. (Below) end of a o ng, hot parade throu g h London n temperatures nearin g 100 degrees
Problem of falling Brigade strength
AT the annual St. John Ambulance conference held at County Hall, Westminster on June 25, the two most important subjects discussed were tHe 1977 centenary celebrations and the future -of the Brigade.
The C-in-C, discussing the Brigade, was perturbed at last year's loss of membership: 600 ambulance members, '· 400 ambulance cadets, and 40 nursing mehlbers, with the only gain of 140 nursing cadets.
Better leadership at all levels (to create a more imaginative approach to SJA) , more funds, and the abandonment of certain public duties (such as cinemas and theatres , where staff should be trained in first aid) were some of the suggestions aired by the Cin-C.
The problem of our organisation said the C-in-C, is: Do we accept that the Brigade consists largely of two separate elementsan adult group , mainly female, aged roughly 50 to 60 plus; and a cadet group, also mainly
female , aged 11 to 16, with a few joining the adult group? We have a challenge to bridge this gap more successfully than we ' re doing at present.
(Left) Overseas members who in cluded the Rece ver General of th e Priory in New Zea land atte n ding the service. (Above) equipment for the fir st aid posts inside the cathedral
Nursing team produces this year's · top score
RESULTS
Ambulance
ht: Boisover Colliery (Derbys)
Shield Trimble Shield (tied)
2nd: Parkside Colliery (Merseyside)
Symons Eccles Cup, Trimble Shield (tied)
3rd: Dean & Chapter & Tursdale (Durham)
Hong Kong Shield, Hingstone Rose Bowl, Ellis Cup (tied)
Stevenage (Broadwater) Combined, Mountgarret Cup Dungannon Combined (N. Ireland) Grosvenor Cup
Ambulance Cadet
1st: Branksome Combined (Dorset)
White Knox Cup, Jarvis Cup
BRIGADE FI NALS
SOME fine competition consistency was shown at, the Finals at Croyden on June 3 when last y ear 's two winning ambulance teams - Bolsover Colliery and Branksome Combined Cadets - both again finished first.
..,
A new idea at the competitions, at which the trophies were presented by Air Marshall Sir Geoffrey Dhenin, Director-General of Royal Air Force Medical Services, was a demonstration first aid quiz between cadet teams from Durham and Greater Manchester with questions based on The Essentials of First Aid . The lads from Manchester were the winners The
Th ey're getting used to this - Derbyshire s Bolsover Colliery team finish first as they did
(right)
ON June 14, it was the SJA girls turn to put to sea in th€ STA schooner Malcolm Miller from Grimsby in perfect conditionsbrilliant sunshine, a light Dreeze and temperatures in the 70s. A far cry from the cold, wet February day when the SJA boys' crew sailed out of Portsmouth early in the year.
Having stayed overnight at the Hurnberside Cadet HQ in Hull, the 39 crewmembers were seen otT by SuperintendeIilt-inChief Lady Moyra Browne, who mentioned over the pre-departure lunch that maybe in the next singlehanded Atlantic yacht race there would be a girl representing St. John.
SJA girls Ahoy!
Fair weather and blue skies - aboard a topsail schooner
obviously got to know each other better. We then had lunch and were shown a film on sail training. B l!lt the girls were still apprehensive, even more so by the time th.ey went on board.
Supt-in-Chief Lady Moyra Browne presented a SJA plaque to Malcolm Miller's skipper Bob 'Rowe. Lady Moyra received line drawing of the schooner, which will be hung at Headquarters
Lord Westbury, Commander SJA Hurnberside, who also saw the girls otT, writes:
• Having waved goodbye and welcomed back th€ Malcolm Miller at Southampton after a two-week cruise with an all-SJ A girl crew, I'm convinced of the immense good and absolute value of an enterprise such as this.
When the girls first arrived in Hull they were, on the whole, shy and diffident, with very little in common; they came from all walks of life, from all parts of the country. Next morning, having slept six to a room at the Humberside Cadet HQ, they'd
But as the parents of one girl aboard, Mr. and Mrs, Winterton, and I watched the Malcolm Miller chug slowly into Southampton Docks at the end of the cruise we immediately sensed a great change to shipboard life by the SJA girls, For there they were festooning the rigging of the schooner, on the highest yard and crosstrees, waving and cheering to the dockside workers, who just couldn't resist waving and cheering back.
After the schooner had docked and we had gone aboard, we were ,greeted by smiling, sunburned faces, all frantically busy clearing up the ship. Every girl was now at horne on board, with each other, giving a hand here, helping there, laughing. They were a team happily getting a job done.
I ask C-in-C General Gordon, who was responsible for the conception and organisation of these cruises, to keep them going. And I would ask Commissioners throughout England to support him by sending girls and boys on these I know they cost a bit of money, but anyone who experienced what I did would agree about their value to the young who are lucky enough to have been on a cruise,
The crew arrive at Hull. All smiles and ready to go
SJAcrew
Jane Griffiths, Su ssex , Jeanette W interton , Humberside.
Maria Lynn Merseyside
Janet Sherriff Cheshire.
Annette P Barker , West Midlands
Mary Stephenson Middx.
Susan Ambrose Worcester.
Kim E. Burn s, Hampshire.
Pat Crummay, Humberside.
Diane Johnson Somerset.
Linda Thompson Cardiff. Thelma Thomas, Salop. Christine Marchment, Hampshire
Hilary Down s, Reigate, Julie Ben t, Surrey, Audrey Potter , Sus sex. Sheila Crockett, Sussex.
Jane Well man , Gloucestershire , Beverley Drummond, Cheshire , Carolyn Walker, Londonderry.
Eileen E. D odds , Newcastle:
Carolyne J ackso n S.W. Yorkshire.
Sarah E. Jones Hertfo rdshire.
Christine Mchugh, Kent.
Penny Barker
Linda Hewitt, Devon
Paula H orrocks, Devon, Carolyne Arlette Devon
Ruth Prideaux , Devon.
Jillian Harries, Devon
Susan Botham Humberside
Lesley Puckey , Cornw a ll.
Penelope White, Oxo n , Elizabeth Tetlow Oxon
Eliza beth Bay liss , Oxon, Angela Howard , Essex
Carol Croarkin, Essex.
Su san Pettit, London SW I
Lady Moyra Browne and Lord Westbury, commander SJA Lines , (right), see the SJ flag is hoisted before the schooner sails
Jeanette W interton ,
Cleethorpes,
Left
One of th e youngest crew members Susan Pett t, 16, s in the Pimlico, London Cadet Division. (Right) Hilary Downs , 20
officer from Reigate became
cadet at 11 and now helps run the Malden and Coombe Cadet
Photos: Jim Betmead eleethorpes
ARCTIC BOUND
Towards the end of July, six young SJA members aged 17 to 29, left Gatwick Airport on an exciting and unusual adventure which will take them to a lonely spot 150 miles north of th€ Arctic Circle in Canada's North West Territories.
There they will build and dedicate a survival cairn which will be one of a great network of more than 100 similar cairns being erected within the next few years right across the arctic wastes of Canada. Each cairn will contain equipment and concentrated food sufficient to sustain travellers whQ may be lost, stranded or forced down In an aircraft in those inhospitable regions.
The first cairn was set up in 1974 near Port uopold only 100 miles from the
Arctic bound: Martin Simmons , Grand Prior's Badge, Adult Home Nursing and Du'ke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award is an ambulance member with Kent's S ittin gbourne and Milto n Divisio n, which he joined as a cadet aged 1 1,· Hobbies include sea fishing and karate
TRAVELLERS
Arctic bound: 16year-old Lesley Manchester , Grand Prior's Badge, working for Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award (holds Bronze and Silver), Adult first aid and nursing, is a member of Hull Westbury Combined Division, Hopes to take up a medical ,career
AROUND and ABDUl
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST, JOHN
magnetic Norrh Pole by Mr. N. C. McClintock, Secretary General of the Order, and another was erected last year by Major General Desmond Gordon, Commissionerin-Chief
The party of young St. John members is made up of three male Brigade members and three nursing members from Merseyside, Humberside, Essex, Devon, Derbyshire and Kent. They will build their cairn near to their camp site at Cape Hodgson on the Graham Gor peninsula at the south -west corner of King William Island, which is on the route taken by Franklin when he and his men attempted to walk to the Back River.
COMBINED
Jack 's brilliant cartoon COMPETITION TIME (June Review) , which created such a stir, it was put on display in poster size at the Brigade Finals, was, Jack tells me, based on material written by a team-member of Bristol's Brislington Division. Well done, fellas,
MALTA BOUND
How would you like to start centenary year (and a break from England's winter) with an
Two helicopters crashing while flying low in front of a crowd was the simulated A r Disaster exercise for N. Hants members recently See story AIR INCIDENT (Photo: Andov e r Advertiser)
8-day, specially arranged St. John study tour of Malta?
The guide and lecturer on the trip leaving January 24 1977 and arranged in conjunction with Malta s Corinthia Palace Hotel (where everyone will stay) will be the Gate's curator Pamela Willis, who will be working closely with the Order's librarian Professor Lionel Butler and the University of Malta.
The holiday will include .lectures on the history of the Knights of S1. John, with particular emphasis to their period in Ma lta, the Great Seige , and then trips to the sites where the most important events occurred, A fascinating , on -the-spot unfolding of the background to the Order , in other words, The overall cost of the trip will be about £150 a person and limited to 30 people. Enquiries to Mrs , Theo Ellert, PR Dept, Headquarters 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SWIX 7EF.
THIRST AID
Britain's heat-wave has meant many extra calls for help for SJ A throughout the country.
At Wimbledon, London District members dealt with a record 3,318 tennis fans dur ing their 4,400 hours of duty over the week's play in torrid conditions,
At an 'anti-apartheid' demonstration in the capital , 300 'de h ydrated' policemen and 100 demonstrators needed 'Thirst Aid' to the tune of 35 gallons of water , salt tablets and orange concentrates ,
REGATTA
For the second year running, SJ A Warwicks are organising a sailing regatta on Saturday, Sept. 25 at Middlemore Reservoir, Daventry, by courtesy of Rugby Sailing Club.
There will be three races, beginning at 11 a.m., open to S1. members and their associates. It is aliso hoped to hold one two 'non-serious' races for younger members, It is stlggested that competitors apd spectators bring their own lunches.
BY THE EDITOR
MIND BENDERS
Find th e Ar st a d or words in th e clue The num her o f etter s in the answer s given. To get V(1 U used to the idea I'll g ve you the fir st answer
CLUE: T wo gi rl s o n yo ur knee (3 ,4).
ANSWER: PAT ELLA. O.K?
I, Not for the leg ( 7)
2 Clever nit for heart (9)
3. T r y a RE, for his pulse rate (6) 4, 'Flat' opening (9.5)
Ans we rs Upside down - are at bottom of page 178. No chea tin g
Entry forms and further information are available from ASO D. T. Hopkins, 23 Stonewell Crescent , Nuneaton (Tel: Nuneaton 327971). The racing is open to boats having Portsmouth yardstick numbers between 91 and 129.
AIR INCIDENT
Div. Supt. A. C, Kyte, of Andover, writes: The first full day of summer (by date if not by weather which was very cold) saw Divisions from Hampshire's Northern Area spring into action with a major incident. Every two years we are responsible for providing first aid cover for' Army Air Day
at Middle Wallop, so it was fitting this year for members from Andover , Basingstoke and Overton Di vis ion s to practise an Air incident
The setting was a sm all section of wha t is normally a large crowd of spectators with two helicopters, kindly flown by the Army Air Corps simulating a crash while flying low in front of the crowd.
The 24 casualties included six in each helicopter and twelve in the crowd. The resulting injuries included some very severe 80% burns , arterial and venous haemorrhage, plus an assortmant of serious and minor fractures. The crowd, in an attempt to flee from the area , sustained twisted ankles, burst varicose veins and in the case of one of our more elderly patients an acute heart attack.
- The size· of the accident made this a 'major incident', requiring co-ordination from a central control b y radio , with assistance of a loading officer based at the incident site, Contact with the external authorities was established through the RAF control tower.
The incident highlighted a few points worth considering:
1, The first aid controller must at all times have information kept up to date, ie the
(Above)
location of vehicles, members and the numbers and condition of casualties.
Communi<\:ations, though usually of a very high standard in the area, were lacking on this day.
2. At the incident site, the loading officer (who sheuld be easily identified), should direct examination and the sorting of casualties into the three priorities and then co-ordinate evacuation.
3. A syst€m of tie on labels, preferably colour-ceded into the three priorities, would facilitate a speedy evacuation of the critically injured. A base line of observations, together with the name and address of the casualty, should be written on the label. Although very useful to the casualty dector, the ob'servations should not hinder the speedy evacuation of Priority One casualties.
4. At a suitable site, a clearing station should be set up to receive and treat prierity two and three casualties, We found a lack of male assistance at this post posed a problem with handling heavier patients (despite the Sexual Equalities Act!)
The incident grew from an idea to ' formulate a Divisional plan for emergencies, and ended on this much larger scale as an Area Training IFlcident. From this, we hope to hold an annual training day in the N0rthern Area of Hampshire.
In conclusion; it was interesting and very encouraging to hear from the casualties and to see for ourselves how well the cadets on duty responded, Their high standard of first aid and their sense of responsibility was a cFedit to th€ir officers and to the Brigade.
EARLY
First aid can also inv0lve first Life, as Winchester Police Constable and SJ A instructor Barry Somerville recently fouad out.
Barry, who was on foot patrol in Alresford, was called to a parked car by Mr. Meurig Morgan, who was taking his heavily pregnant wife to hospital for the birth of their second child. But baby beat them to itand there was Mrs, Morgan about to deliver in the back of the car.
PC Barry, who'd never helped in a birth before, found the job came as naturally as the mother did.
When mother and lkhour-old daughter arrived at hospital, it was reported: 'They're both fine'.
RESTARTING
I ·hear that there has been a bid to revive SJ A at Earby, by two young police oonstables. Instead of separate divisions, a single family division is proposed. Good luck , SJA Earby.
THE NURSE
Some further extracts from St. John nursing manual, 1908.
Amongst those who make bad nurses we find many classes:
AT RANDOM
An OEE has been awarded to Mr. F. G. Thomas, Assistant Director-General of the Association. Mr. Thomas's first connection with John Ambulance was in 1955 when he became Chairman of the National Dock Labour Board Ambulance Centre. He immediately set out to improve and extend first aid training throughout tro.e Docks industry and also achieved, by personal example and encouragement, a remarkable expansion of th€ spare-time welfare wOTk
THE NOISY: These, although they may be kind and loving, are continued sources of disturbance to the sick. They wear creaking boots, or else thump along on their heels ; they slam doors , rattle cups , stand at the bottom of the bed and shake it, talk to people just outside the door, knock over bottles , sneeze loudly, poke the fire and add coals in the noisiest manner, and altogether keep the unfortunate patient in a state of nervous expectancy, wondering when the next crash will occur.
THE OSTENTATIOUSLY QUIET:
These steal about on tip-toe with finger on lip, and continually murmuring 'Hush-H-sh!'
Everything is whispered, and the senses of the patient are kept at full tension, trying to find out what is going on The cat-like step also keeps the patient continually wondering , in what part of the room the nurse will turn up next. Remember it is far better to speak low than whisper aloud,
FUSSY: Continual enquiries as to how a headache is, · continual shifting of pillows when the only desire is to be left alone to fall asleep in quiet.
concentrated mainly on 'education' in its broadest sense, and his pioneer work with broadcasting and education authorities has in a complete range of St. John pLlblications to cover the needs of both education and industry. County Directors will remember with gratitude his unfailingly wise guidance in ali matters relating to first aid training, especially in schools, training colleges and agricultural communities, Two Collnty Staff . Officers (Public Relations) have been awarded the MBEMr. E. R. G. Cain in the Isle of Man and Mr. Maurice Fox in the county of A von. Mr Cain joined the Association branch in 1934 and became a founder member of the Douglas Ambulance Division in 1941. He was appo i nted County Secretary in 1945 and held that post for 23 years until he became County Training and Public Relations Officer in 1968. His whole life has been dedicated to the service of the community through St. John Ambulance activities in the Isle of Man, but his most outstanding contribution in this fielc\ has been the inauguration and development of the Island's blood donor service. The needs of the Isle of Man having been considered too modest ' to justify even one full -time worker in this service, Mr. Cain set up in 1946 a volunteer S1. John blood donor service with regular sessions on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, and it is mainly due to his initiative and leadership that the blood donor service staffed by St. John personnel. which collected just under ]50 bottles of blood ' at one centre in 1946 was able to develop and expand until in 1975 it collected a total of 2,340 bottles in seven different centres.
No rthan ts Thrapston C ad et Division prese nt e d! 14 Gran d Prior' s Badge certifi cat es - maki ng a to tal of 55 G P b adg es for Thrap s ton Divisi o n s over 1 4 y ears!
(cont. from p.169)
performed by dockers and their families in their local communities, In 1956 he became chairman of the St. John Visual Aids Committee, and the steady development of an excellent series of first aid instructional films, charts, models and equipment of all kinds, together with ' the publkation of catalogues and appraisals of films aFld strips has been largely due to his e ro ergy, drive and inspiration. On his appointment as Assistant Director-General in 1966 he
Mr. Fox joined the Brigade in Bristol in 1939 and became County PRO ten years later His successful efforts in providing the county of A von with its new St. John HQ and his outstanding record of voluntary service at the Bristol Royal Infirmary were mentioned in last month's Review. To this I would add that his drive and enthusiasm are matched by his personal generosity whenever possible undertaken anonymously or in the name of St. John. He has been responsible for setting up a fund to provide bursaries for members of the Accident and Surgery Staff at the Royal Infirmary to study similar work elsewhere, which has already enabled a sister to be sent to America and a nurse to Belfast, and he is currently organising a similar fund for trainee nurses.
Two awards of the BEM have been made' to Mr. H. C. Newell (Shrewsbury) and Mr. ,0. R. Rees (County Staff Officer, Gwent).
Mr. Newell is now in the 55th year of his Brigade membership, all of it in noncommissioned rank and all of it in a spirit of dedication to the mottoes of the Order which far outstrips the normal calls of duty. 40 years ago he organised - single-handed a campaign to raise a mot-or ambulance for
Shrewsbury and ended up by producing a highly sophisticated mobile first aid unit. In 1960 he formed, equipped and trained a cadet band which is still in existence and much in demand. And finally he is well known in Shrewsbury for propagating the view that though skill and proficiency in first aid must always be our first objective, our second must be to enjoy our life as St. John members: no doubt that is why he is such a good fund -raiser and recruiting agent.
Mr. Rees, formerly an official of the National Coal Board , joined the Blaina Ambulance Division more than 40 years ago and was for many years its superintendent. More recently he has been County Staff Officer (general duties) for Gwent , where his example of dedicated service to the community has contributed greatly to the affectionate admiration and respect in which St. John Ambulance is held b y all who know him.
Other
members
We must alSO' congratulate various other members of the Order whose names appeared in the Honours List , for their services in other fields. These include Sir Murray MacLehose (President of the St. John Council for Hong Kong), who has been awarded the GBE in recognition of his services as Governor and Commander -inChief Hong Kong; Mr. H. F. C. Ereaut (Bailiff of Jersey and Chairman of the St. John Council) and Mr. D. Pixley (Receiver - General of the Priory in Australia) , both of whom have been created Knights Bachelor ; P,rofessor Norman Ashton, FRS (a member of Chapter -General and of the Ophthalmic Hospital Committee) who has been awarded the CBE ; and Princess Helena Moutafian (Corps VicePresident Camden , and Islington Corps, London District) who has received the MBE for social services in London.
Out and about
During the pa s t fortnight I've had the very inspiring task of enrolling 40 new cadets in two enrolment ceremonies - both of them held in chur c h, which I'm convinced is far the most appropriate setting, provided that nothing is done contrary to the religious principles of anyone concerned , which is most unlikely in these enlightened days of ecumenical worship.
The first was of 16 cadets of the Epping Combined Cadet Division in Essex , a particularly happy occasion for me ,.since it was held in my home church of St. John the Baptist on the Sunday morning following St. John's Day ; the second was of 24 cadets of the Thrapston Cadet · Divisions in Northamptonshire , held on a weekday evening and attended by a large congregation of Brigade members, parents , friend s and supporters. My most earnest hope is that these two occasions were the birthdays' of 40 life-long members of the St. John family . At Thrapston I had the added joy of presenting no less than 14 Grand Prior's Badge certificates , making a total of 55 Grand Prior Badges gained by members of the Thrapston Divisions tiuring the past 14 years -a truly remarkable record And I came away with a very good story of the best kind of recruitment.
Ten years ago , Carolyn was a cadet in a team training for a competition, and the 'casua lty' didn't turn up So Carolyn offered to fetch her mum , whom she knew to be keen on acting. Her mum arrived post haste , was quickly briefed , and proved an excellent casualt y. She came again and again, and again; and it wasn "t long before she found herself enrolled as a nursing member in the adult division Today , Carolyn is married and a Division al Officer her mother is Area Superintendent , and - for good measurefather is Area President ; and I met all three of them that evening
(Above)
Superintendent Maurice Bacon receives the keys of a mobile first aid unit presented by the local Rotary Club. (Photo: Evening Gazette, Middlesbrough)
"''''1 1
(Above) Prin cess Margaret sets the mood of her visit to the cadet rally (Left) She made sure she saw every display. Here , bandaging, with Div Supt. Mrs. Coxwell. (Left) Chief Officer for Cadets Col. Pat Adams
W.Country Cadet Rally
Princess Margaret flies in to spend the day meeting everyone
OVER 1500 cadets - from Devon , Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset - packed the Roy.al Marine Commando Training Centre at Lympstone , Devon, on June 16 for the county cadet rally and the arrival of Princess Margaret, SJA ' s Grand President.
The Princess , who arrived in a helicopter of the Queen's Flight which touched down on the baking-hot parade ground, was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon , Lord Roborough. Before lunch in the officers' mess, SJ A officers and guests were presented to her.
After lunch the Princess inspected the Guard of Honour, presented awards (inc luding 52 Grand Prior Badge certificates) , and then went around to see all the displays and demonstrations. She didn't · miss one of them - and it is doubtful if any cadet didn't see her close-to. At one point where her route missed out a display (which she quickly noticed) - back went our Grand President to see what and which cadets she hadn't seen. And all in very hot weather too - and wearing (so rally SJA PRO Mrs. Ailsa Malcolm tells our ladies) 'a pale lilac silk coat over a matching-coloured chiffon dress, with delicate organza cap-style
hat embroidered with tiny Lilac and pink flowers matching white shoes, gloves and handbag .' (A very y oung ambulance cadet was reported as r ec koning , sa rtorially our Grand President looked 'All right!')
E[incess Margaret stayed for tea , when again she met many more cadets. Then it was 'T hree Cheers!' - and the helicopter whisked her away. It was a great day , for everyone We hope the Princess enjoyed it too.
a lovely da yAccompanied
It 's a c li ff rescue demonstration that everyone is watching, givefil by Sidmouth, Plymouth (East) and St. Ives Cor n wall, ambu ance cadets. Div Sup!. K Muckett, of Sic;jmo uth expla in s to the PrincesS exact ly what the ads are up to
Gracey
Launceston (Cornwall) Nursing Cadet Leader Nicola Gilbert rec eiv ing the Me r t orious Service Certifi ca te , awarded for her prompt and co urageous actions at a serio
What
by the Chief Commander , Sir Maur ice Dorma n (Photo: Steve Roberts H0niton )
Barnsta ple nurs ing cadets being in structed in resus citation by N. Devon Area Nursing Officer Mrs. MGCaig
1.
THE' d ally administration of the St. John Council fc>r South Australia, 21 Austin Street, Adelaide 5000, is under the direction of Mr. Phil Fe r rier, General Manager.
A weekly management liaison meeting is held with four secretaries of the Association, Brigade, St. John Council and ' County Ambulance services, the chief acco u ntant, PRO, properties officer, subscription manager, accounts supervisor, chief training officer and transport superiNtendent.
Ambulance service
Ambulances are not free in South Australia 'The St. John Council operates a subscription scheme from $4 to $12 a year which covers a family for varying amounts of ambulanee (including air ambulance) use. The introduction of Medibank (similar to the NHS) by the WWtlam Govemmeli1t in 197 5 has a ltered the situation and I found it somewhat difficult to understand how MedibalJk will function (I was not alone in this!) Not all hospitals are in Medibank. A patient's ambulance transport between two Medibank hospitals is paid by the State, but not ·to a Medibank hospital from a private hospital, and vice versa. Ambulances between home and hospital, and vice versa, are not covered. Ambulance visits from home to Medibank hospital for outpatient treatment are covered , by Medibank except the first visit. Non-subscribers to the St. John p ay the full cost of transport not covered by Medibank, unless they are pensioners or covered by some other form or' ins u rance.
The 'subscription schem; operated by St. J o hn appears to be an excellent service and it is difficult to understand why, for the small
Mercy Flights Down Under
DEREK CLARK, of SJA's Aeromedical Service, looks at Australia's famous Royal Flying Doctor Service in PART 2 (final) of his article
sum of £7.50 p.a., every resident of South Australia is not a member. This sum now covers ambulance transportation throughout the whol€ of Australia.
Medic ' alert
In Australia this is sponsored jointly between St. John and Rotary. The two issuing authorities for the service, which covers the whole of Australia, are St. John, Adelaide, and St. John. Perth.
Publications
The St. John Council publishes some excellent tirst aid literature (copies in my possession) which includes a joint production with the Lions' Club.
Radio first aid course
St. John propose to operate a first aid course over the School of the Air through the RFDS radio base at Port Augusta.
Statistics 1975
The largest strength of Brigade in Australia is in South Australia.
Population
St. John
with St. John Ambulance services
St. J
The only other ambulance service operated by St. John is in Perth, Western Australia, who are also considering operating their own air ambulance.
Royal Flying Doctor Service
Most visitors to Australia arrive with preconceived ideas about the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) but with no firsthand knowledge. Many see the radio bases on conducted tours of the Outback, viewing the radio operator through soundproof glass screens. But few actually see or hear the service operating.
On my fact -finding trip, with the help of St. John I was able to examine the service in detail, see and hear it operating, look at the various aircraft and meet some of the people who run it - the doctor, the nurse the radio operator, the pilot and the administrator. General information about the. service is well presented in a leaflet handed to tourists.
Australia has a number of air ambulance services, the most rapidly -expanding one being that operated by St. John. The term 'aeromedical' covers all forms of medical . work involving aircraft. The RFDS, which is the best · known aeromedical service in the world, is not an air ambulance service. The RFDS provides an aeriiil medical service requested by 'the patient. The doctor flies to the patient. He is, in other words, the patient's GP arriving by air instead of car. He may decide that the patient needs
hospital treatment, in which case he uses the aircraft to carry his patient to the nearest hospital.
St. John provide an aerial ambulance service requested by the doctor for the carriage of the diagnosed patient between home and hospital, or outlying hospital to main hospital where specialist facilities are available.
St. John also operate an aerial medical service by flying retrieval teams to patients. This service is requested by a doctor, not the patient, and thus differs from the RFDS.
I looked at two sections of the RFDS: 1 RFDS South Australia, with bases at Alice Springs and Port Augusta.
2. RFDS New South Wales, base at Broken Hill.
RFDS South Australia
I visited the service's Port Augusta Radio and Air Base , and staff were met on a clinic flight. The Administration HQ in Adelaide was also visited.
Radio Equipment
Single Side Band equipment replaced AM in 1974. The five SSB transmitters and emergency receivers being located eight miles from the radio control room and the main receiving station 40 miles away in an environment where man-made electrical interference is low. HF sign als received from outposts are re-transmitted automatically via VHF links to the control station and School of the Air studio. This is the most complex of all RFDS radio installati olils.
Aircraft
All Flying Doctor aircraft have an FD registration, i.e. VH-FDA. Beechcraft Baron B58s are gradually replacing older aircraft as funds become available. Two are based at Alice Springs, two at Port Augusta. The aircraft at Port Augusta are also fitted with St: John radios to enable the pilot to call St. John ambulance to meet the aircraft. All aircraft have stretcher fittings.
Medical staff
At Port Augusta there are two full time RFDS doctors one of whom is normally away two or three days a week on Outback Clinics
Dentists work on a rota system. They come from Adelaide and are picked up at Whyalla by the RFDS
At Alice Springs the medical service is operated by the Northern Territories Aerial Medical Service a unit of the Commonwealth
Statistics
Alice Springs and Port Augusta combined:
(Above) Royal Flying Doctor Serv ice, Western
A dead man
RFDS New South Wales
Broken Hill Radio and Air Bases were visited. The radio control centre was larger than at Port Augusta, otherwise there was little difTerence.
There were two Beagle aircraft, both of which were to be replaced. Also seen at Broken Hill was the Westem Australia RFDS aircraft, a Eeechcliaft Queenair.
The normal medical stafT is three doctors, but there is difficulty in getting recruits. At !=>resent two doctors and a back-up service from Sydney Hospital complete the stafT.
St. John Ambulances are to be used by Broken Hill Hospital. Although Broken Hill is in New South Wales, Adelaide is much nearer and the cost of transportation is cheaper by St. John, who cover their costs, whereas the RFDS sections are ruIming at a loss.
Statistics
School o(the Air outposts IS 42 68
Of professional interest to myself, I noted that the Flying Dentists covered 64,369 miles to provide 372 clinic sessions providing treatment for 1,923 patients in 1975.
Finance
The RFDS is a non-profit, nondenominational organisation subsisting in part on Government grants, subscriptions, public donations , charitable and other bequests, and proceeds from functions organised by local people.
Both the sections seen had substantjal operating deficits for the last year.
£22,139 loss
Wales
£88,763 loss
The S(')uth Australia RFDS section received grants from the Federal and State Governments amounting to 50.1 % of the total incgme. The comparable figure for the New S(')uth Wales RFDS section was 71%.
Allowing for the fact that the Radio Telegram Service earned 14.9% and 9% respectively for the two sections in 1975, the remainder has to be found by voluntary efTort.
To quote the President of the South Australia RFDS: 'The greater the deficit, the less mOl'ley is available for replacement of aircraft and other essential capital equipment. The result is a running down in the quality of the service provided.' •
A story tor St. John
by GEOFFREY TREASE
No danger in this case. The more I studied the records, the richer seemed the material lying ready to hand.
Books later th is year - in time for Christmas
'WHY not an adventure story about the Kmights of St. John?'
When the suggestion was made, I admit I hesitated. My notebooks are full'of ideas for stories. If I live to a hundred, I'll never have time to wrote them all.
Still, I saw why such a book was needed. There were all these young cadets, boys and girls who ought to know something of the Order's romantic history and the ideals that inspired its first members. They might enjoy learning it through an exciting novel.
I can't write to order, though - even to please THE Order. Any idea has to take fire in my own imagination. 'But I'll think about it,' I promised.
Suddenly my mind flew back to a morning in 1959. I was on deck, under a blue Aegean sky, creeping into the harbour at Rhodes. Battlements and bastions loomed ahead, Pink oleanders and purple bougainvillea broke the harshness of the masonry that had once defied the cannon of the Turks.
An hour later I was ashore, walking up the Street of the Knights. Old emblems, carved over doorways, marked the auberges or hostels where once the Knights of St. · John had lodged according to their nations.
The Knights of Provence had lived here, the Knights of Castile there. And at the top of the hill [(')se the Palace of the Grand Master.
Remembering that morning, I knew in a flash the story I wanted to retell. It would centre in the tremendous siege of 1480, when the Sultan sent an overwhelming armada to drive the Order from Rhodes and stop all the good work it was doing.
What happened is one of the great true stories of history.
I stress 'true', because I like to base all my histor.ical fiction closely upon the facts.
Young readers like it that way, too They are quick to write in and point out the slightest mistake. They want entertaimment of thrills aL1d mysteliY, but they pliefer to feel they are learning s0mething at the same tjme. Which is fine - so· long as the facts aren't allowed to slow down the excitement.
The treachery of the German ma ster. gunner, the incident of the English sailor, Gervase, and the inexplicable anchor, the seeming 'miracle' of the saintly apparitions amid the cannon-smoke - all these , and much more, can be found in the chronicles of the siege.
There was much research to do, before I could start my story. I had every help and tncouragement from officers of the Order who supplied me with its own historical publications and showed me round the old priory buildings in Clerkenwell, which I wanted to introduce in my opening chapters.
But there were countless other questions to be answered alld for these answers I had to look elsewhere
How would my imaginery hero have made his way out to Rhodes? Still more problematic: how could an English girl have become involved in the siege?
How long would the journey take? What did it cost? How fast could a galley sail?
How big was a Turkish cannon-ball?
I drew my own sketch-plans until I could have found my own way round the streets and ramparts of Rhodes. I did the same with the enemy stronghold, Constantinople. I learned about its subterranean maze of waterways, so essential at a crucial moment in my plot.
One problem bothered me I did not want the medical work of the Order - the work we most associate with it today - to be forgotten amid the clash of arms and the drama of rescue and escape.
How much did the Knights know about first aid in those days? What sort of injury could I introduoe into my opening scene, and how would it have been dealt with?
Here a member of my local St. John branch in Herefordshire gave me valuable help , correcting what I had originally written and convincing me that even in 1480 they would have known better than that.
r called the book 'The Seas of Morning', because that is how I think of the magical region where it all happened - those sapphire waters of the eastern Aegean , whJere long ago the galleys flew the flag of St. John and kept the pilgrim open against the corsairs of the infidel.
was the problem which faced London Transport Corps SO (Nursing) JANE HUNT, on station duty
I WAS surprised to find as many as eight people reporting for duty at Wembley Park Station for the Football League cup final, but as it turned out everyone. was needed.
There were two casualties from the incoming crowd. The first had apparently had his feet trampled on in the train and had not realised it until he tried to stand up to get ofT the train. His ffiends had helped him up the steps towa:rds the stadium before our ambulancemen were called. We brought him to the FA post in the wheelchair, and on examination diagnosed a suspected fracture of the metatarsal bones The ambulance was sent for , but owing to heavy traffic did not arrive until about half-an-hour later. I phoned the hospital about I % hours later and learn ed that the doctor had not yet examin.ed the X-ray plates. I was told that he would be either sent by taxi to his hotel at Victoria or would be kept in for the night. I needed this information for his friends who said they would call at the FA room after the match But though the room was manned until nearly 20.00 , no such enquiries were made.
The second casualty arrived just after the ambulance had left. He asked for aspirin, but he looked so iiI we asked questions and found that his headache was due to sinusitis. He took two paracetemal tablets , and went to sleep on the stretc her for about an hour.
During this time we were able to make a cup of tea. We had the room to ourselves for a short while, and then the home-going crowd began to thicken.
The police brought in a middle - aged man who had collapsed at the booking office. His condition was brought about by the long wait in -the queue in the cold and was aggravated by the fact that he had become separated from his wife and son. I contacted the station stafT to see if a message could go out over the loud - speaker system, but this was unn ecessary as his wife came to the FA room. She had apparently rrior'e intelligence than her husb and gave credit for, and also 'I r?
our lines of communication via station stafT and police had worked The family were most anxious to get back to Kings Cross, and left as soon as the husband said he felt well enough, though a longer rest would have been beneficial.
As they left , another casualty was brought in. He had had a displaced cartilage a week previously. This had been re-set but had 'gone again at the knee on the way home from the stadium. He explained that he did not want to go to hospital at Wembley, as it would make him late home, and would worry his wife. It was impossible to get a taxi, so I phoned for a mini-cab to take him to his home at Regents Park. He had a friend with him and this relieved us of s9me respon sibi lit y He refused to lie on the stretcher, so his knee was bandaged for support and we put him in as comfortable position as possible on a chair, and prayed for the mini-cab to arrive. in fact came 45 minutes later - quite a wa it.
It was just as well he did not use the stretcher. We were watching for the mini-cab when we noticed a man in a state of collapse by the public telephones. He was in a quiet panic (if such a state is possible) and was asking us to get a doctor immediately, and to phone his wife at once. Keeping him propped up by the telephones and surrounded by inquisitive bystanders , I found out that he had had a hernia and was being treated at Northwick Park Hospital, and believed· that his hernia had become stang ulated By this time the stretcher had arrived, and he was carefully loaded and taken to the FA room where he was made as comfortable as possible in that now crow ded room until the ambulance arrived. I was unable to contact
his wife unti he was actually being loaded into the ambulance , but I was then able to tell her that he was being taken to N orthwick P ark Hospital.
We had only just got back to the FA room when the Station Master called on us for the stretcher. He had had a report that there was a dead man to be taken ofT the next train due in. Two AMs and the Sgt. took the st retcher and blanket and followed the Station Master. A few seconds later I followed. While wait,ing on the platform for the train to arrive , I had time to decide what to do.
I could not make the decision that the man was dead - he would need to be sent to the ho sp ital - had the SM sent for Ehe ambulance? Would I ha ve to try artificial respiration or cardiac massage? - Where we put him? - We could not very well take him to the FA room as we still had the man with the damaged cartilage. I looked around the platform - it was northbound with not many passengers going in that direction , and decided that unless the SM had a better idea we would put the stretcher at the end of the platform near the 'Gents '. These gloomy thoughts were interrupted by the SM saying that it was all a false alarm. The dead man had turned out to be a live old derelict tramp - though the SM said he smelt as though he had been dead for a fortnight.
This provided much needed light relief, and we happil y carried the stretcher back to the FA room to Ii nd that the mini -cab had at last arrived - thank goodness. It was then all hands to get our last casualty into it with the minimum of discomfort. Then we shut up shop and went home.
Author Geoffrey Trease whose historil;;al books are published in 16 languages. His latest The Seas of Morning' about which he writes here, will be published in paperback by Puffin
Drawn by JACK
CENTENARY YEAR
from Percy John Webb, Divisional Superintendent I read with great interest the centenery year article (May Review). It all sounds very exciting and I wonder whether it is to(') late to make suggestions, or indeed perhaps to gain new ideas from the article?
For example, I (like so many others) enthuse abou t documentary programmes on TV. In our centenery year would it not be marvellous to see a documentary film or programme about St. John , to show what really goes on behind the scenes in the life of the family of SJ? Would such an idea involve too much research? It would certainly be a monumental task
Think of all the swotting and practising at the skills of first aid and home nursing to become proficient, and the great many of our colleagues who take part in competitions to further their skills. On TV we see many competitions on different subjects but never have I seen the Brigade Finals or the Grand Prior's competition. Wouldn t it be great to have them televised into every home in the country in centenery year?
of course there is the pride in the uniform and the 8 pointed cross, the smartness of parades there is so much we could put into the shop window. In this materialistic age we might even strike a new catch phrase: 'What can I do?' rather than 'What can I get? ' Alexander Baron's book 'From the City, From the Plough' was ,perhaps the most absorbing war story that I have ever read. It takes the reader along with just a few men from all walks of life, from their call-up, through their varied experiences. Now I see that novelist Barbara Cartland (D.SU.) is writing a new romantic novel based on the Knights of Malta entitled 'The Dream and the Glory'. I cannot wait to it. I only wish someone could catch hold of, say, 6 St. John people and trace their experiences from enrolment, their emotions, joys and sorrows. In fact, to get down in book form some of the great ordinary people of our day. It might be entitled 'The Winning Way', and capture the atmosphere at every level of the winning way that I truly believe St. John has in our every day community. It could be a winner.
Wilts Percy Webb
SHOCKING THEATRE DUTiES
\ from Mrs. P. McClintock
As a new member of a Nursing Division in London I have felt honoured to be a,l?le to volunteer for theatre duties , but my last experience deeply shocked me.
It is now evident to me that volunteers for theatre duty are liable to find themselves attending in St. John Uniform plays of such content that one is ashamed to be there, apparently condoning pornography. Tbe misery is increased by the thought that the audience may be gaining a very false of our Order.
May I suggest two things: All entertainments for which we are asked to volunteer should be coded, perhaps in the same way as films are coded, but with a wider coding t@ incorporate such things as very noisy, pornographic etc., etc., so that volunteers would know what type of entertainment they would be attending.
2. Tlrle I would suggest that if tbe eontent of the entertainment or its method 'Of production could distress volunteers in amy way, the manager of the theatre should be asked to provide seats outside the auditorium where the first-aiders would be on call and yet not have to sit through the entertainment
Families would then be spared the angry shock that mine felt when I tO,ld them the content of the play I had to sit through the other night. However dedicated to the Order Qne may be, one should not have to suffer the horrible language and behaviour my partner and I suffered. I would add that there was no imdication in the notice in the paper , which simply said 'Side-splittingly funny' 'exceptlonally fine, vastly entertaining, brilliant comedy' 'More good laughs than any other
READERS VIEWS
Readers' views and opi nions, which should be sent to th e Editor, although published are n o necessarily endorsed by the or the Order of St, John and its Foundations Although readers may sign published letters w th a pen - name, writers must supply their name and addr ess t o t h e editor ,
play in London' to quote from three national newspapers - of the type of play we were in for.
For those of us who work all day and have families, theatre duty s an ideal way of service, but I feel the Order should protect its members. Are Nursing Members of any age accepted as volunteers for this duty? I would really be appalled if I thought my mother or might find themselves in my predicament.
London, W.9 P. McClintock
MOBILE UNITS
from K. F. Jones, Corps Staff Officer
As Transport Officer of the 89 (London Transport) Corps I would recommend Mrs. C. D. Whitnall of Folkestone (June Review) to get a motorised first aid unit, as used by our Corps, for ease of mobility and being self-sufficient. The unit , built to our own design and specification, is mounted on a Bedford chassis
Equipment includes a bed with adjustable headrest (with adjustable light and cold air fan above), another bed which folds down to make room for chairs for sitting cases , folding stretchers, chairs and pushchairs, oxygen equipment, ample dressings etc. Also two -way radio, three radio hand sets constant hot water from a gas boiler, a two-ring gas stove, a 30 gallon cold water tank plus waste water tank under the sink unit. Three gas fires are also installed. Crews ' quarters include a wardrobe and rest area.
It has flashing blue lamps siren and adjustable front blind showing either: I. London Transport Corps (going to and from a duty); 2. First Aid Post (When on site at duty); and 3. Ambulance (for
London Transport Corps first aid unit .
emergency trips to hospital or incidents). Entrances are at s ide and rear. The unit is 26ft. long and 11 ft. high. (See photo).
The unit is based at the London Transport Works at Chiswick , WA , where we would be pleased to welcome you when in the area.
We also have our our own well -equipped ambulance.
71 Queensword Crescent, K. F. Jon es Leavesden , Herts.
NOT IDEAL KNOT
from E. J. B.
At the risk of being deafened by howls of execration I have the temerity to suggest that the reef knot is not necessarily The Ideal Knot for first-aiders!
I know the advantages claimed for it, viz : I. It is a secure knot (when used for tying together materials of same size and stiffness which is not wet); 2. It is a flat knot; 3. It can be undone easily (as a rule!) if one tail is pulled to straighten the loop it makes with its 'own part' when the other part resolves into two half-hitches thereon and these can be slid off.
But we often need to tie two feet firmly together with padding between them , or secure the two ends of an arm-sling without allowing the injured arm to drop and in these circumstances - typical of many - it is very difficult to complete the second part without losing the required tension.
and would be interested to know whether the re viewer is a member of the medical fraternity, as the recommendation s of such an eminent consultan t as Prof. Gillingham , and the approval in all aspects of Dr. M. F. Oliver and Dr. 1. C. Cameron , surely constitute their faith in this book as a guide to the general public?
At no time did Dr. Paterson-Brown advocate cardiac massage on a breathing patient. If the heart has stopped and the patient is not breathing - to all intent and purpose he or she is dead.
The author was most careful to indicate where and how the pulse could be felt if no pulse is percept able, then no harm could be done by external heart massage.
E,J,B.'s W eaver's knot - better han he reef knot?
Now there is a variant of the reef knot used in many trades. (Upholsterers, armature -winders and fibre -spinners use it and call it by the name of their trade. Let's call it a Weaver s knot).
To tie it one proceeds as for a reef knot (say 'Right over left - or whatever your mnemonic is) but proceed further after achieving the required tension and pass Right over Left once more. The double entwining ensures that the tension around , say a pair of feet with padding between , is not lost while the knot is completed in the usual way. Complete the knot as you would for a reef knot.
The resultant knot has all three advantages cited above.
Bath E. J. B.
ASTONISHED from Mrs. E. Bannerman, MOE, JP.
I read with astonishment and disapproval T.1.C.W.'s review of Dr. Paterson-Brawn's book' A Matter of Life and Death' (May Review) ,
With regard to poisoning, alas in these days too often selfadministered, the BMJ adv(,)cate an emetic. Dr. Paterson - Brown's method is simple but effective. Some day - somewhere - this book will save a life Indeed to my certain knowledge, it already has. Hawick
Our reviewer of this book replies:
Eileen Bannerman
I assure Mrs Bannerman that I am a member of the medical fraternity and while I fully understand the object of Dr. Paterson -Brown's booklet in bringing elementary first aid to the masses, I still stick to my guns in that it is no substitute for practical instruction. I speak as a person who has done a lot of examining in' first aid over the last 20 years.
The most noticeable fact about this book is that it is so easy to read and understand. The structure and workings of the human body are clearly explained afld nicely illustrated. The text is, however, rather quaint and folksy in the way it refers to 10hn and Jane as the bodies of the male and female. Strangely this seems to make it more readable and the chapters are packed full with quite fascinating material.
Death and the Family by Lily Pincus Faber £4.50
The author is a founder of the Institute of Marital Studies at the Tavistock Institute for Human Relations in London, and writes her book at the age of seventy-five, having been a widow for 10 years. She writes frankly of her experience of bereavement and the problems of widowhood.
been a counsellor at the Institute of Marital Studies for many years she has been able to draw on many case histories concerning bereavement to develop her theme of what should be the normal process of mourning and grief.
Her chapter on How t9 Help the Bereaved' is excellent and gives good practical advice. It is a well written book and should be read by clergy , doctors , nurses, social workers and others whose professional work enables them to reach out to bereaved people The average lay person may find the psychological aspect of the case histories rather ponderous reading.
T.
C. W.
TJ.C.W.
NEWS from
SCOTLAND
THE annual commemoration service and in ve s titure took place i n the Church of t he Hol y Rude , Stirling on June 24. This y ear the investiture was incorporated into t he commemoration service ; and the fest iv al w as held on · St. John 's Da y itself, f10t on t he neare st weekend, as has been the pra<;;tice for man y years
The Church of th e Holy Rud e, an old a n d beautifull y proportioned building in which Mar y Queen o f Scots w or s hipped and John Kno x provid ed a magnificent a nd moving setting for t he occasion Prior y Chapter in solemn procession , the Prior be ing accompanied b y heralds of the Lyon Court , b y the executi ve officers and by members of the Soverei g n Order of Malt a in th e ir c hur c h dres s. Th e ser v ice wa s conducted b y the prelate , the Ver y Re v A. Ne v ile Dav idson and the sermon w as preached b y th e Re v Tom Crichton , a chaplain of the Order and minister of Torphichen.
Some 500 members of th e Ord er and their relati v es were at the service , during which a solemn silence was obser v ed t o commemorate those of th e ir confreres who had died in the past year. Then the Prior , supported b y the Chancellor , took up position in the crossing and in the nam e of Her Majesty the Queen inve s ted tho se who had been admitted or promoted within the Order.
tle w here a rr a ngemen ts had be e n mad e for lunch Th e flag of the O rd e r w as fl y ing a t the moat and dra w brid g e in compan y w ith h e s a nd a rd o f t h e
Hered itar y Kee p er o f the C a s tle the Ea rl of M a r a nd Kelli e, who is him se lf a K ni g ht of S t. J oh n Lunch was serv ed t o 370 memb er s o f the Order in th e C h a p el R oya l, th e
Qu e en 's Cha mb e r s a nd th e K in g s Chamber s T he e venin g b e fore th e in v es titure th e
Central Region C omm itte e held a re c eption , a ttended b y about 50 me m be r s of t he O r der , at A uche nb ow ie Hou se, t h e hom e of Mr a n d Mr s. G , A. M uirhe a d.
St. John Exhi bi t ion in E di nb u r gh
The e x h ib it io n was o pened by the Pri or, th e Duke o f Hamilton a nd Brandon , on th e of M a y 27 Baillie Meek intro d uced the Prior , w ho the hope hat th e e xh ib ition w ould give the public an in sig h t into t h e work o f th e modern Order a s well as tr a cin g its de ve lopm ent fr om the ti me of t he cru s ad es He s tre sse d hat toda y the Or de r is t rul y international tran scendil'lg all hum a n boundaries , wh eth e r p o litic al or of p rejudi ce
T h is exhl ibit ion stemmed from a small o n e, held in th e Pliece pt o r y o f Torphichen in 1974 , whi ch w a s s o s ucc essful t h at t h e Mu seu m s D e partment o f the Cit y o f
Edinbur g h beca m e in terest e d n it. Before d e cla rin g he ex hi bit io n open, t he Pr ior e xpr es sed e v e ryone's t h anks to th e
Edinbur g h D is ri ct Co un ci l for t h e amaz in g armo un t of t hou g ht a n d e nt hu s asm it ina d g ive n to t he prese n t a t ion of t h e h istory and wo r k of t h e O r de r
I n it s first t h re e a nd a h a lf weeks, 7,500 p eople h av e atte n ded t he ex h ibition
Torphichen
O
Best I n
MALAYSIA
OVERSEAS
BRIGADE
FINALS TESTS
e r epai rin g til es oosened a ft e r a g a e; he s ips a nd fa ll s to the gr o undhe fa ll s in fact in o h s ow n back garden It is a dr y a n d
Wa rm d
ncon s ci o us d ue to a b o cked a irw ay
Whi te Knox Cup (Ambulance cadet)
T ea m te s T me im i 12 minutes
A n un kn own man fa ll s fr o m the s wings n a fa ir-g r o u nd at a tim e w h en he fa ir is o o sed Two officia s hea hi m shou t a s h e fa ll s a nd th e y send fo r F ir s t- A der s. T h e cas ua lt y h as a fi sl lumbar verte b ra w t h pa a ys is , hi s
sk ull s fr ac tur ed At fi rs t he is c on s cious but compre ss on a nd coma de velop.
in a restau ant doe s not feel we ll a nd a s s he go es o sit down on a c hair she kno c ks o ve r a po o f boi li ng wa te r onto he r feet. The pati e nt h a s s us a ined a m o derate d eg ee of sca din g of th e s kin of both feet a nd s ub s eqllent ly show s s gns of s hock.
N o 4 Ou r c as ua lt y is in h s own g a rd en re p air ing s hoe s - the s harp kn ife he is using s lip s and c u ts into his e f a rm He s hout s for h elp r o m his wi fe b u she doe s not hear h m Th e pa t ie nt ha s su st a in ed an in c ised w o u nd w hic h bl eed s fr e el y a nd he s ub seq uen t ly fain ts.
Perr o tt Shi e ld (N u rs ing T eam tes t T m e L imit 12 m nu tes O n a dr y s um m er evenin g a m d d le-aged a d y, ta k in g a s hort -c u thr oug h 8t.
-
News from Divisions/Centres
DERBYS - Persistence is paying dividends for a team of ambulance and nursing cadets from Chaddesden and Spondon Cadet Divisions. For several years they have been competing in the adult Monday League competitions held in Derby each year. Although the average age of the team is only 14 Y2 and they are the only non-adult team competing, they came a very creditable second place this year. The winners, were a CEGB team, only 4. marks ahead of the cadets. Other teams competing include the police, a local brewery and the Post Office
NORTHANTS - Congratulations to SJA s Mr. and Mrs. Lewin Gotch (8th and 4 th bar Service Medals) of Wellingborough who celebrated their golden wedding on June 5 Mr. Gotch, 15 years as Supt. of Wellingborough HQ Ambulance Division, 22 years as C ounty PRO and year book editor , is now retired from the Brigade but is Wellingborough Association Centre secretary.
50 years of married life , nearly double tha t combined total ,with St. John.
NEW
REVIEW CROSSWORD No.8 (76)
(Compiled by w. A. Potterl
Across
1. Well-fitted for an excision? (3 -3) 4. Bone infection in which it is sequel to fractured toes. (8) 9. Pinch a small amount of spirit. (3) 10. A bit of the grey matter. (5.4) 11. Part of the scapula. (5) 12. Bag for artificial respiration in Hamburg. (4) 13 Excretory organ. (4) 14. Discharge slowly through pores. (5) 16. Mimic the stripper? (4 -3) 18. A pharmacist to credit for muscle pains. (6) 20. Decoction for drinking. (3) 22. Girl about right for sprain. (6) 23. Having no fixed abode. (I) 25. Disc forming the blind spot. (5) 25. Units o f mensuration for the lower extremity. (4) 28 A group of hor ses disturbing dust. (4) 31. Emotionally upset during the operation. (3-2) 32. Supports mother in crinkled satin (9) 34 Coun try with a central part in the crusades. (3) 35. Loses all hope. (8) 36. Pulse I take for swelling of the gums. ·( 6)
Down:
1. Those to whom a sufferer may have passed on an infectious disease. (8) 2. Pulsation produced by a broth mixture. ( 5) 3. Comprises iris, ciliary bod y, and choroid (4) Source of much of our energy requirements. (3) 5 . Main nasal piece re-modelled in Banti 's disease . (7.7) 6. Follow change in sun from east to east. (5) 7. Drip is cut for he alit valve. (9) 8. A part o f Adam and Eve's garden in Scandinavia. J6) 9. Common fracture in the elderly. (4 2 .3 .5) 15. Foot lesion from Commanding Officer Royal Navy. (41 ) 17. Wrong ski attire can produce inflammation of the cornea. (9) 19. Char itable gifts from a former railway company. (4) 21. Metabolic disorder characterised by ketones in blood and urine. (8) 24. Expressed verbally. (6) 26 Poiiceman and artist make coconut product. (5) 29. 'f est a legal procedure (5) 30. Unusual pest in a dance movement. (4) 33. A half beast of burden. (3)
La st in thi s iss ue of th e Rev iewbut the bes is a ways kept to the eFid in th e best books, girls. Me et s ste s Annette (14) Mar garet ( 13 ). and Susan ( 12) Pring,
ST. JOHN HOUSE 'CLUB
REVIEW INDEX 1974
Copies
No faith - No purp,ose p 194
Competitions and Cadets, by Dr. M, Wickham p.196
Around and About, by the Editor p.200
A DIY mobile first aid unit, by R. V. Cox p 204 PR -C HAT. Munch - munch , p.206
Living it up with a doll from Stavanger , by JACK p.208
The Inuit are keen first-aiders p.209
Readers Views p ,2 l0
Books p.211
News from Scotland p.212
Order Investitute , July 22 p.212
Centenary pennant p.213
News from Divisions/ Centres p.214
EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS
Edited and produced for the Order of St. by Driscoll Produ ctio ns Wood Cottage High Corner Butley, Nr. WoodlDri dge Suffolk P 12 3QF. Phone Orford (Std
Advertising
and
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
A WARM WELCOME to all our new readers in those divisions which are this month subscribing to the Review for the first time. At a conservative estimate, this applies to no less than 2,500 divisions, and if each divisional copy is read by only ten members (though the average should surely be much higher than that) 'it means that at least 25,000 Brigade members who never saw the Review before will now have the advantage and inspiration of knowing a great deal more about what's going on in St. John. They will gain new ideas about how to improve 'the basic quality of their service as first aiders (and this must always come foremost among our aims), as well as learning about new, challenging and often adventurous ways in which we can extend the range of our service to mankind to meet the needs of an ever-changing world. And as the months go by, our new readers will be able to give as well as get, for we hope you'll soon be sending us articles, letters , queries, news-flashes, photographs (good, clear, glossy black-and-white prints, please - not colour), and any other contributions that you think would make the Review still more interesting, useful and enjoyable to its readers than it is already. The Editor would specially welcome a few good cartoons if you have a flair for drawing them, and the occasional 'believe-it-or-not ' story. Poetry is not excluded, provided that you're sure that a more objective critic than your mother or your girl friend really thinks it good; but I must confess that although I read with great enjoyment and interest a large of St. John magazines, from duplicated divisional, area or county 'mags' to the national equivalent of the Review in many overseas countries, the occasional items in verse (or worse) sel,dom fail to make me squinn. So there's a challenge for you! However that may be, there's now good hope that with your help and support the Review will steadily become better and bigger than ever before, for the increase in subscribers should attract more advertisers, which may with luck give the Editor a chance to increase the number of pages without putting up the price.
No faith No purpose
I HOPE the over 20s will forgive me if I address my remarks mainly to the under 20s. And I hope this magnificent building will forgive me if I start my address by telling two stories, the first somewhat humourous. It concerns a young soldier called Billy who was hauled up before his Commanding Officer for being disorderly at a church parade. 'Jones,' said the Colonel, 'why did you behave so disgracefully last Sunday morning during the Church Service!' 'Well, Sir, it's like this,' came the reply. 'When I was born I was christened William, thereafter as Billy was I known till I came into the army, when I was given a number. From that moment onwards it was Number 471, pick your feet up on parade. Number 471 go and get your boots cleaned. Number 471 go to church next Sunday. Well, Sir, I goes to church and I sits down, all quiet like, when all at once the Padre comes in and he says "Number 471, art thou weary art thou languid, art thou sore distressed?" and I stands up and I says "No, but I am fed up".'
The other story was told by the greatest story teller of all time, Jesus. He spoke about a farmer in a big way who wanted labour. So he sent to the Labour Exchange and agreed on a wage, so much for the day. Later he found that he needed more men, so again he sent to the Labour Exchange and offered the same wage, though they had only started work at noon. Towards evening he needed more men. So again he sent to the Labour Exchange. This time the farmer's agent said to a group standing about 'Why are you standing around all day idle!' They replied: 'Because nobody has hired us.' 'Well, I will,' and he proceeded to pay them the same wage as those who had been working since morni ng. When criticised, the farmer said 'Have 1 not every right to pay men what I want?'
If that were to happen today there would be a general strike. But Jesus was talking about God, who rewards people rather differently frOin men. But the sentence I want y0u to remember is this: 'Why are you standing around all day idle?' One of the most terrible problems of today is youth unemployment. Young people corning from school who cannot get work. But I am not going to talk about that problem today. 1 am going to talk about those who won't work, or who won't work properly because their heart is not in their work . Like the soldier in the first story, they are fed up with life in general. They have no faith and no purpose in life.
These two lacks - lack of faith and lack bf purposeare the two most terrible factors in Britain today. First, too many people, old and young, have no faith - ' in themselves, in their country, in democracy or in God. They have lost faith, so they drift, disinterested, uninvolved, spineless and clueless. Some people say that faith doesn't matter, that it is what we do that matters. But what we do follows from what we believe. If we believe the Communist faith , we shall live and act like a Communist. Ifwe believe the Christian faith, we shall live and act like a Christian. If we believe in nothing , we shall live and act like a tramp , drifting around in ever smaller circles, propped up by a benevolent State. If we do not believe in life after death , then this life is a dreary pilgrimage from nowhere to nowhere , getting nowhere. If we do not believe in God, then you and 1 are valueless and life is absurd It is God who gives significance and dignity to you and me. We become a product of God, children of God , known to God, immortal people, with an eternal destiny. If we do not believe in God , then you and I are just a cipher, a cog in a machine. So faith matters enormously. Faith and life are closely linked. And it is a great tragedy of today that so many people - old and young - have lost faith or have never found it. I urge all of you to do all you can to discover a living faith in the living God. Read about Jesus; study his life closely ; for He more than anybody else taught us about God and is the fullest revelation - of God that we, living in a world of time and space, can have of the timeless, spaceless Deity.
Well, that ' s the first great lack today - lack of faith. But the second is lack of purpose . I am sufficiently old to remember two World Wars. During these we had a consuming purpose, to defeat the enemy. We all worked flat out day after day to win the war. Today, at first sight, there doesn't seem to be a war, but I believe that there is. A war against selfishness , cruelty , dishonesty and greed. A dangerous, relentless war against a dangerous, relentless enemy - an enemy that is out to destroy our oountry. We need people who will put service before self, concern for others before concern for ourselves I believe that many of
you , through the work of St. John Ambulance have caught a glimpse of this concept of service. Never lose it. So many people have as their motto 'I want to get what I can while I can in any way I can, but I am going to get it'. We need to substitute the motto 'I want to give what I can while I can in any way I can, but I am going to give it'. The soldier in the story 1 told at the beginning was fed up because he had never known or found anything to live for , love or keep alive for. He was bored and so he just drifted You in this great movement of chivalry have been caught up in the joy of service. Now your task is to communicate this to others. To tell others that life comes alive when we discover a faith and a purpose for life and that faith and that purpose have been closely focussed in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. And so , I repeat, study His character, read His words , follow His teaching and do not be ashamed to model your life on Him, to seek His power day by day and to live out His example.
My last word to you is this. You are living at a time of great danger. Our nation is at the cross roads, the enemy is at the gate. Not just across the Channel (as in the last war) , but in our midst. We can either go downhill through selfishness , absorption in pleasure and shallow moneygrubbing to the place where we become a third-rate power of snivelling, quarrelling, grumbling self-seekers. Or we can rise up to become a great nation, a nation of me - and women with a burning faith in Jesus Christ and a purpose to live courageously according to His teaching. It all depends on a few resolute people - people who are prepared to take Christ seriously, to follow His teaching and to obey His commands. Will you be one of His committed followers? It will not be easy. You may well be laughed at, ridiculed and despised. But you will become part of the nation's cure. You will help to make Great Britain truly great - morally and spiritually great: and that is the greatest greatness of all.
COMPETITIONS
and CADETS
M. WICKfiAM,
BEFORE DEALING with my subject specifically, I thought it might help us to a somewhat better mutual understanding between Divisional Officers and competition judges if I gave you a brief reSl!lme of the trials and tribulations which can come the way of a judge, whose path, however careful, painstaking and efficient he may be, is by no means always strewn with roses. And right at the outset I must stress that any opinions expressed are my own, and that any similarities to identifiable persons or incidents in my illustrations are entirely coincirlental. ]t is up to you to believe me or not, but I have now at least endeavoured to avoid any action for libel or slander, and absolved the Commissioner and Brigade Headquarters from any responsibility.
Personally I rather enjoy working out the appropriate first aid measures to be taken at some involved or unusual type of catastrophe, and so am usually fairly easily persuaded to prepare a test or judge a competItIOn. But, having accepted and having had the preliminary enjoyment of working out a test, I am faced with the prospects of displeasure at home, having mucked up yet another weekend for the wife and family, Ii. somewhat arduous few hours both mentally and physically, anOl the end result of fallen arches and being the most disliked surgeon il'1 the county or region by all but a very small section of the competitors.
However careful a judge may be in compiling · a test, there are occasions when his own personal medical views and may be at variance with the dOCf:trine laid down in the first aid manuals, and this may show itself in the test itemsthemselves . .Sirriilarly, a team may deal with a situation in an imagin!ltiYe way, which could be a successful alternative to that which the judge had envisaged in his printed procedures, but which had not occurred to him until he finds strange things taking place. Then, to be fair and to avoid discouragement, the tr,eatment is adequate, there has to be a mental reallocation of marks, which may seem odd
to someone looking at the test paper afterwards and seeing marks appear for procedures which were not appar"ently carried out (one can't rewrite a test while it is going em).
Then of course there ar e all the unfortunate occurrences when the judge is alleged not to have seen some individual procedure heard some explanation, or gathered what was taking place in the mental processes of the team, because of course he should have known exactly what they meant fi o say or do, even if they didn't say or do it, and should have given them marks for silent prayer or something. The post-mortem period after a competition can be a very traumatic one for the judge. I would be the first to admit that a judge can' be mistaken at times, in missing an odd procedure or failing to hear a statement by a competitor - and here may I utter a plea for better conversational discipline on the part ·of spectators at competitions - it's often the senior uniformed spectators that are the worst offenders. Judging a competition does need full concentration, and it's .very difficult to concentrate adequately against the babel that sometimes goes on along the touchline.
Again it sometimes happens that an item on a test sheet is unmarked - it shouldn't happen because a judge should always check through the sheet before it goes to the mark stewards, and ensure that there is either a positive mark or a nil score against everything - but occasionally if one is under pressure of time, something slips through the net. I must stress that it is the duty of t he mark stewards, not only to be able to add !Up correctly, but with any omission to send it back straight away to the judge to be amended, and not either to leave it and hope it's a nought, or to send it back two teams later when the poor judge · pr-obably hasn't a clue what mark, if any, should haye been awarded.
Traumatic and acrimonious situations do not occur very often I've found, and certainly less so with adult teams, I th ink principally because more often than not the divisional superintendent is a member of the
of the world organised crime seems to be a great draw, After all, since the passing of the last Children and Young Persons Act, what else can offer one the excitement of committing a crime, the notoriety of being arrested and appearing before Court, and the near certainty of being placed under · the supervision of the Social Services, who will promptly organise a canoeing, pony-trekking or mountaineering holiday for you, if they don 't forget about you altogether!
team, and a lot of air can be cleared and hot air dissipated in a little discussion on the set at the conclusion of the test. Cadets, however , are a slightly different matter.
E t is said, with very great truth, that when political or religious beliefs are under discussion, the more strongly one feels the less objectively one is able to argue, being unable to see the wood for the trees.
Divisional superintendents and officers of cadets - God bless 'em - are to my mind some of the most dedicated and selfless people I have ever met, - and I say this unreservedly , having been a cadet divi siona surgeon myself in bygone days and admired the long -suffe ring and forbearance of t he divisional officers. It is very right and proper that you should all be convinced that yo ur Division is the finest in the county, region or country, and that yo ur cadets' morale should be suitably boosted by your attitude to them.
On the other h and, where competitions are concerned, a little balance has to be preserved. Remember that judges· are not all totally biased, or completely inept, that someone has got to come first, and someone last, and' that it just could be that not every one of your geese is a swan.
After these heretical remarks, and before the air gets thick with miSsiles, might I suggest, as a constructive help to cadet superintendents and judges , that at the conclusion of a test, which I am sure has been watched with eagle and critical eyes by the superintendent of the competing division, that he joins his team on the floor to listen to the judge's remarks, and perhaps to help the team to be more articulate in any discu ssi on with the judge. I do not remember having known this happen, and I am sure it would be helpful to all of us.
Having said something about competitions in general, I want to talk about cadets and competition work in particular. Now I'm no expert on cadets - I was, as I said divisional surgeon to a cadet division for two or three years, but that was quite a long time ago. But I realise the difficulties that one has these days - competition from the telly, youth and so on, and in part
It is a good thing that there are so many officially sponsored activities open to cadets for them to take part in, but obviously a cadet division must not just be another youth club. Teaching first aid and learning it properly is· the first commitment, and in my opinion there is no better way of learning in the long run than by real practical experience.
Practical experience for cadets is not easy to come by, so far as actual incidents go, but it really does do something for the cadets' enthusiasm if they can get it. I remember being able to involve three of my own cadets in an incident once, which I dml 't think they've forgotten even now, adult though they may be. Having found them being discouraged from taking action by other bystand ers (who of course were doing nothing) at the scene of an accident I came across , I put them to work oh a simple fracture of the neck of femur. They did this most efficiently and capably, improvising bandages with belts, ties and satchel straps, and by the time the ambulance arrived the casualty only needed loading. To complete their day, I sent them to hospital with the casualty, hav ing briefe'd the driver to keep an eye on them and bring them back safely.
So I think there is everything to be said for allowing cadets of suitable age and training,
EXCHAN·GE VISIT TO CANADA
Early July, five Merseyside cadets and two of their officers from l:iscard and Wallasey Divi sions left Manchester a irport on an exc hange visit to cadets of Wentworth Corps, Hamilton , Canada. The c lose ties between cadets of Waliasey and Hamilton began in 1969, when they started a regular international first aid competition. which cade s of Southwick, Sussex, also joined in 1 970. T he competitions Jed to the Canadian cadets v isiting Britain in 1974
The Merseyside girls, who were a farewell by the Mayor and Mayor ess of Wirral, are (L to R) Front: Mrs. S. Russell, Supt Wallasey, Deborah Shannon (Wallaseyl. Karen Sali sbury (Liscard), J oy Price (Liscard), Miss G M. Hu nt ley Supt. Liscar ld. B ack: Ka re n Jones (Wal lasey) and Rosemary Richards (Liscard)
to accompany adult divisions on duties, always makin g sure that they are entirely under adult supervision. However, not all cadets have a friendly · neighbourhood adult division, nor are they all sufficiently well trained immediately to be let loose even under supervision. And the next best way of learning what first aid is all about is to work with properly simulated casualties in properl y' designed situations, and what better way of doing this than to train them on old competition tests.
I know children are usually imaginative, with an inbuilt dramatic sense. They have also got to be taught the basic principles of first aid. But as soon as they know how to apply bandages dressings and splints, and for what reason, I feel that they should be presented with dramatic situations , even if they have to imagine them largely in the · restrictions of their HQ. Though why not take them out of doors to realistic sites when you can - and should - as early as possible to deal with properly simulated injuries?
Imagination, as I have said, is a usual gift of the young, but while there is a big difference between dealing with a simulated casualty and the real thing, there is an enormously greater gap between a properly simulated casualty and a smear of lipstick on a limb , or a lump of plasticine on a hip, and even bigger between that and just a live cadet with a label attached to him saying that he has got a fractured patella or had a stroke.
Casualty simulation has reached such a high standard these days that I feel it is essential that there should be at least one instructor with a good knowledge of it associated with every cadet division, and
that if none of the officers of a division feel able to train themselves or be trained to a good sta ndard in casualty simulation or make up , then there s hould be ·good liaison if possible with a member of Casualties Union , who I am sure would be very willing to oblige when possible.
If cadets are trained with the help of properl y made up casualties and , as far as possib le, realistic incidents I see no reason why, as the process develops, their enthusiasm cannot be heightened by competitions between teams and individuals within the same division. Perhaps this already happens in some divisions
The situations and injuries need only be very simple initially anyway, and of course it would depend on the size of a division as to how many teams could be raised. It might also be advisable to change the membership of the teams around month by month , to avoid the formation of intern.al cliques and dissentions , and to let everybody have a look in.
What I am endea vo uring to suggest is that through their training , every cadet division should get used to the idea of competing against other people, and I mean the whole division, without discrimination. I am afraid it can happen that ; when a division is competition-minded , the real effort of the training officer is devoted to the competition team, and the remainder tend to feel, if they are not in fact, neglected.
If it were possible to get all the members of a division used to working under realistic cQnditions, and with realistic casualties, either as members of a team or individually and have the competitive element introduced as well, I am sure would go a ,long way to overcoming the initial shyness 'of many youngsters and would give them confidence
A talk given by Dr.
County Surgeon, Hereford and Worcester, at the County Training Conference, Malvern, last April
,COMPETlifIONS and CADETS (cont.)
in their ability to work in competition against other divisions.
It is I think, that of the number of cadet divisions we have in ,our country, less than half enter competitions, though even that compares favourably, as a generalisation , with the number of adult entries. And of those that enter, more often than not it is a division that has previously been successful that wins.
I often wonder what the reasons for nonentry are. The points that occur to me are: (1) The divisional officers are not impressed with the theory that competition work is the best form of first aid training, and prefer to concentrate on other ways. (2) The attitude that there's no point in entering because that lousy division from the other side of the county always wins. (3) A lack of selfconfidence in the powers of the officers to train a team to a reasonable standard, or in the material to be trained. (4) An inability to overcome the natural shyness and diffidenC'e of some cadets to compete in pUblic Whatever the basic reasons; I think they could be overCQJTle. Early realistic competition work inside a division could overcome some of the problems. For the rest I cari only say that I would far sooner see a team that has made the effort to enter acompetition for the first time, even if it comes last, than any lJ.umber of experienced ones
Now supposing that, whatever methods we adopt, a divis ion has entered a team for a competition. Obviously, in spite of some earlier remarks of ,mine, some extra time has to be spent in coaching them up to as high a standard as possible. After all, even if you have reservations about their probable performance, you mustn't let them see it, and they've got to be helped to do the best they can.
Here let me issue a slight word of warning. It is possible to get too competition-minded to concentrate too much on gamesmanship and collecting the odd extra mark for the little details, while oniitting to make sure that the standard of general work is not suffering. I have known teams devote a lot of energy to locating the patient's nearest and dearest, or making sur e the neighbour would come in to feed the budgie while the casualty was in hospital or the mortuary, while failing to find the laceration on the back of the head, or ,omitting to ensure that -haemorrhage was properly ,controlled. I am reminded of the remark made by one of the judges of a cadet team test at the last county round - when I asked what he th(:mght of the standard of work he paused for a few moments and then said: 'Well, th€y all sent jolly good However good the
, messages· may be , no-one's going to get even full marks for that if the general standard of first aid is sloppy.
Here again another warning - you have meard me stress on other occasions the need for adequate examination, and the efficient and immediate treatment of priorities. What is just as imp ortant is the care and comfort of the patient. His wounds may be all discovered quickly and dressed efficiently , his fractures may all be rapidly splinted and completely immobilised with firm and correct bandages tied in impeccable reef knots, but if he's been knelt on, stood on , tripped over, had his head banged on the floor and been left in a howling gale on stone flags with his clothes half off and no blankets o¥er or under , the adequaey of the rest of the treatment is considerably impaired , and this will also be refleCted in the marks awarded. While on the subject of adequate examination , I should like to bring up a point which niggles me from time to time. It ' s really related to the asking of unnecessary questions. I personally don t object to a bit of a running commentary, because it helps to make certain that the judges realises the examination is an adequate one, but the actions must suit the words.
If one is told: 'I detect no bone injuries to ribs , spine or pelvis', while the patient is patted gently through his clothing in two or three places, one's immediate reaction is: 'I'm not surprised if that's all the examination you do'. Tmere are comparatively few questions that require to be asked if the casualty simulation is good .'
The ra t e -and quality of the pulse, the condition of the pupils , the odour of the breath and the presence or absence of respiratory movements, are legitimate questions. It should be unnecessary to ask if a patient is unconscieus - the competitor should be able to work this one out for himself - though it is always unwise to assume because you get no response from a patient on speaking to him, that he is in fact unconscious - he may be just a little dazed and has lost his hearing aid in the accident.
The thing that really irritates me is to be asked: 'Do I detect dampness in the crutch?"
Now the orn.ly times one gets significant dampness there (in a casualty) is either from a wound' involving the bladder or urethra (whether from external causes or from a compound fmcture of the pelvis), or if the patient has been incontinent due to a fit, or perhaps a head injury, ' sometimes in a terminal condition especially in choking or hanging, or just plain fright. And he or she will be wet rather than damp, and if there is associated injury bloodstained as well. So it will be self-evid(fnt and there's no need to ask. On the other hand, on a warm af tefl'loon, after several teams have had a go at him, any casuaity, especially if he's on the plump side, will be somewhat sweaty, so a
trifle of dampness is to be expected - but it won t be anything like a significant finding
So get y our teams to realise the implication s of signs be c au se nearly all positive physical sig ns some involving the nervous sy stem) are r e all y obvious if you look for them
From the judging point of view , when setting tests for alild judging cadets , one has to be careful. First , not to make thin gs too complicated or with too many nasty catches. And secondly to ensure that the injury or condition is at least mentioned in the Essentials of First Aid and that the treatment conform s to the book too (One should also try to ensure that the casualty is not too heavy for them to dispose of - this may not happen in real life of course , but one must try to be fair). One must also try not to get cross or irritated , and certainly not sarcastic , however peculiar the efforts or results The one thing a judge must try to avoid is discouraging or upsetting a team while they are in action - and I don t like being too rough with them when chatting them up afterwards. Gentle encouragement and advice and careful words of warning should be what one tries to gi ve. Stage fright and inarticulateness are often very difficult to cope with and one has really to control oneself at times from either laughing cry ing or losing Qne s temper , more often in an individual than a team test. In an individual test it is much more likely that any dampness in the cru t ch will be experienced by the competitor - but then I've known that happen to medical students in o r al exams before now! However , patience and gentle encouragement will usuall y bring some sort of response, even if it ' s not always the expected one.
I recall an occasion when a cadet was confronted with an abdominal wound and prolapsed bowel in an ind ividual test. He had obviously ne ver seen or heard of anything like that, and w as completely petrified and tongue-tied. The judge tried to encourage him to say or do something, but to no avail. Time was running out, and the judge asked him what he thought the condition was He didn't know. Well , what does it remind you of?' 'Please, sir, chitterlings.' Luckily he did know what chitterlings were, and at the eleventh hour managed to collect some marks for a correct diagnosis - but it was a near thililg.
I hope I' ve left you with the impression that judges are not ogres and that in spite of circumstances and appearances sometimes, we do have the interests of the competing teams at heart. For our aims are just the same as yours - to el1sure as high a standard of first aid in ,the divisions as possible. And the higher you can get your teams' standar4 the better we shall be pleased even if it does make it harder for us to differentiate between "them. •
Ou ·r future "s in their hands, ...
It has never h appened in Londond err y before - f or a Brigad e offi cer s so n or daughte to gain the Grand Pri o r's Award But now it has happ e ned, it' s a doubl e. M r s C Willsher , Superintend en Belmon t/ Londo n derry Combined Cadet Divisio n, with h e r son Colin and Mr M. Mulhern , A r ea Staff Officer with h s daughter Caroline Gre
NEW READERS
Welcome to new Review readers, now that every division in England and Northern Ireland sees our monthly magazine. I'd like to say that our pages are wide open for anything you wani to write about that may interest other readers. Readers Views is a seunding-off platform which Headquarters reads avidly and everyome else I hope.
But you must supply your name and address division to , the editor (for his information only) with letters for publ ication, whether you wa nt the letter t6 appear under your own or a pen-name.
Please print in CAPITALS 'any names (people, divisions, towns, etc) in mater ial you send. It's so easy to misread names written in longhand. Black and white photographs only (we hope to move to colour soon) , and ink sketches of anything you feel needs illustrating.
Due to the high cost of postage we cannot acknowledge routine material submitted for A phone number helps, and if there are any queries we'll be in touch with you. If you want photographs returned, please put your name and address on the back of them , and if you send a stamp for return don't put it on an envelope.
Divisions who already Ol;der 6 more copies monthly, and so qualjfy for the special UK SJA bulk rate of 23p a copy postage paid, can get a rebate of 84p (because the single copy being sent to ALL divisions is £3.60 a year including postage) once a year on their bulk supply account by informing Review Sales, at Headquarters, of , this fact.
Divisions who at present order 6 copies monthly at the reduced rate but opt to cancel one because of the additional single divisional copy, will continue at a reduced rate fdr 5 copies monthly by informing Review Sales of their need to reduce their supply.
Any other anomalies which may appear
ARoBND aId ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST JOHN
BY THE EDITOR
to have developed from the divisional distribution should be aired to the editor.
NEW GROUND
I hear that London District HQ has possibly broken new ground in teaching first aid to de.af children A request by a teacher of London's Oakfield School for the Deaf as to whether it would be feasible to teach deaf children first aid, led London District to experiment with the idea. The result has been so successful that the possibilities of teaching first aid to the deaf on a national scale is now being mooted.
A full report of the Oakfield School project will be published in the Review.
NIGHTOUT
SJA's centenary year will be launched in style on Monday December 13 with an international gala cabaret evening at Londen's Talk of the Town restaurant in the presence of the Queen, Prince Philip Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips Princess Margaret, Princess Alice, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and other royal patrons.
It should be quite an evening - with wIOlng, dining and dancing, and eptertainment by the cream of international cabaret for a breather.
Tickets - from The Royal Gala Committee , The Order of St. John , I Grosvenor Crescent, LondoJil, SWIX 7EF - aren't cheap , naturally : £500 , £250 , £ 100 and £50 each.
Have a good evening.
SJ CLUB
The warden of St. John House Club tells me that accommodation at the club is already completely booked for the weekend of June 25 1977 (General Assembly of the Order and St. Paul s Cathedral Service) and regrets that no further accommodation is available that weekend unless cancellations occur. The club is fairly heavily booked during the rest of June and early July , but there are still a few vacancies available for short periods
NEWCOUNTRY
Div. Supt I. G. W Dalgleish , of Herefordshire and Worcester's Kempsey Ambulance Cadet Division , who is temporarily on County Pool while on a business as signment in Abu Dhabi , writes: First aid wise I have been kept very busy indeed I have just completed a F.A course for trainee engineers who will be going out to the oil fields and pumping stations. The language barrier was soon overcome after the first two weeks and they all reached quite a proficient level in the end. The local fire service asked me to demonstrate the use of their minuteman sets which they have had for over a year , not knowing what to do with them There was also a course for the Girl Guides for their own F.A. badge, and today I had two forms from the school for ' mouthto -mouth ', etc. The local petroleum company had given me the use of their Resusci -Andy and films , etc. There appears to be quite a demand here for first aid instruction
Londoner Mrs Maurice Edel s hain hands th e C- in-C Major Gen Desmond Gordon a donation to buy he f i rst boat - to be named Nigel after her so n - for London District's new river rescue division With them, s Lady Brecknock , Princess Helena Moutaf an, M B E (President, Camden and Islington Corps) who introduced Mrs. Edelshain o St. John and Lady Moyra Browne Supt-in - Ch ef
NEW DIV.
INTO EUROPE
SJA sent its 1976 national competition winning team of Bolsover Colliery Ambulance Division, to a European first aid competitIOn o r ganised by The Good Samaritans (Dutch, and in its jubilee at Heemstede in Holland during June.
After 2 days of being entertainedincluding a visit to the Dutch national first aid competitions (outdoor , 84 teams taking part) - SJA s team , with nine others from Germany , France Austria , Switzerland Belgium and Holland , got down to the nittygritty of the international event.
Bolsover finished ·6th out of 10 eight points behind the winning German team. SJA's leader Roy Madin came third in the team -leaders event.
Everyone seems to have had a great time. And there was ·talk of another competition in Vienna soon.
BRISTOL
I hear that 85 -year-old Mrs. Dorothy Bingham-Hall , Dame of Grace of the Order, who energetically edited the fine SJ Somerset year book until a year or so ago and has contributed some fascinating articles on her world travels to the Review , has written a booklet about St. John which includes the 800 - year -old SJ links with the city of Bristol. The booklet was sent me by the Press Officer , Avon SJA HQ , 10 Wood borough St Easton , Bristol BS5 OlB.
u.s. GENERAL INSPECTS SJA
After St. Helens " Corps HQ was fired by vandals on the night of May 10 Corps. Supt. C Sh e ppard and T r easurer D Unsworth inspect the damage. On the afternoon of May 11, vandals struck again and set fire to the remaining part of the building W h at can one say?
(Photo: S. Lanes. Newspaper Pic Service)
Few complaints
So fa r I've heard very few complaints about the Commissioner -in -Chiefs decision that every division shan subscribe to one monthly copy of the Review. The few that have come my way fall mainly under two heads, and though I personall y regard both of these as so absurd as to be unworthy of comment, I think I had better expose them in their naked absurdity.
BUDDING
I hear we have a maestro among us. IS-yearold Halesowen Ambulance Cadet Anthony Bridgewater, who's been writing music since he was nine (60 pieces so far), gave the first performance of his 35-minute Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor during July. Watch it, Ludwig.
TV SERIES
Under the title Contact, a series of 10 weekly 25-minute programmes on 'Living with Handicap' will star:t om BBC TV on Sunday, October 10 1976, and will cover topics of interest to the physically handicapped and those who care for them. Help given by and available from voluntary organisations - including St. John Ambulance will be mentioned Counties ·;:tnd Divisions may well be asked for information and help during and after the series.
Time of day for the programme has yet to be decided - probably at 12.30 pm. Book the date, look for the time.
HELPING WILL
When Stamford, Lincs, Shakespeare Players put on a performance of Henry V in the gardens behind the George Hotel, Stamford, in early June a site <::losely associated in medieval times with the Knights of St. John - one of the actors who had been tahn ill was escorted to the performance by SJA members. The patient was coUected from hospital by Nursing Member Carol Boon and her boy-friend A/M Michael Bell in Stamford Combined Division's ambulance (helped by D/Supt. P Castle), looked after during a rehearsal and the performance, and then returned to hospital. play must go on.
MAYDAY
We regret , owing to the indisposition through illness of HQ publicity officer Mrs. Vicki Beevor , that the continuation of the series New Exhibition and Display M<'\terial (June and July Review) has been delayed. But orders to HQ for material already published are being processed by N. L. Display Services.
BENDERS (answers)
Mrs Jean is DO. Dad ', Mr. I. D. Hunter is Div. Supt Allenby and Radford Combined Division. (Photo : Coventry Evening Telegraph)
The first objection is that such a directive is an infringement of the freedom of the individual. Of course you and I are perfectly free to do what we like within the law , and we exercised that freedom when we voluntarily became members of the Brigade. At the same time we undertook to keep its rules and regulations and to obey the orders of responsible for its administration Every society and organisation carries obligations of membership, and when we freely decide to join a society we are at the same time freely and voluntarily . surrendering some part of our freedom for so long as we are member s . I can think of no society to which this principle does not apply. Rules , regulations and orders are always subject to modification and change, and when such changes occur after we have joined a society we are still bound to accept them by the terms under which we freely joined , and our freedom in this respect is to a freedom to resign. But of course , s uch objection s are only raised by a handful of 'barrack-room lawyers', and no true St. John member would seriously consider objecting to his division being required to subscribe, at so trivial a cost, to one monthly copy of what has become the Brigade s principal medium of communication.
The second objection relates to a phrase in my iast sentence --" 'at so trivial a cost'. It has been claimed that there are some divisions so poor that their funds cannot afford one annual subscription of £3.60 to the Review In a division of 30 members this works out at a penny a head each month; even in a division of minim),lm size 12 it works out at no more than 2 Y2P a head each month Is there really any viable division whose members are so poor, whose funds are so low .whose capacity for fund-raising is so negligible that it can't afford such a sum in order to gain the benefit of knowing what's going on in St. John outside their own immediate neighbomhood? A number of divisions, by no means noticea bly wealthy ones, provide a copy of the Review for every member in return for their membership subscription. If members are given neither the time nor the opportunity to read the ir divisional copy , then of course it'll be dear at any price; but if they use it as it is intended to be used, then I've no doubt they'll find it incredibly cheap - and that applies to cadet
AT RANDOM
(cont. from p.193)
divisions no less than to adults and I shan't be surprised if gradually mo.re divisions find that they need extra copies.
Looking ahead
In July I gave a summary of the North Yorkshire working party ' s report on how to st em the wastage between cadet and adult divisions , and I promised to follow this up with some points from a stimulating paper entitled 'St. John Ambulance and the Future ', sent to the Editor by the PRO ofthe Leyton (Lea Bridge) A/C Division, London District. Space forbids that I should give more than a summary ·of the paper's main points , and I don't profess to give lOO% personal support to all those that I quote; some elf them are already being more widely adopted than the Ley ton division may realise, while others seem to be almost too utopian at present. But I think they should stimulate profitable discussion , for it's only by sharing ideas in this way that we can hope to plan effectively the road ahead. So here they are, with my own comments in brackets:
Training
1. The quality of our first aid and nursing is too low , partly because these subjects are down -graded by being regarded as hobbies, partly owing to the poor standard of many instructors.
2. As a first priority, the training of lay instructors should be stepped up , with a course spread over 3 years and including a great deal of practical instruction given by candidates under supervision.
3. Successful candidates at first aid courses should always be invited to attend a divisional training meeting. If they hadn't intended to join the Brigade , this might
change their minds. (Jt might also (mprove the quality of some divisional training meetings)
4. Cadet training needs constant review at every level and the syllabi for proficiency subjects need to be up -dated. (This is being done). The combination of adventure training with first aid should be further developed, and tr,aining for the Grand Prior's Badge linked with that for the Duke of Edinburgh s Award.
5. Officers of. catlets should be given special training in the qualities required in a youth leader as well as those required in an officer of the Brigade, and Brigade leadership courses combined with national youth leadership courses.
6. St. John should co -operate with other first aid organisations in producing a national project to teach first aid to the public, with full support from the news media
Liaison
1. Our internal liaison is very poor, especially between divisions. Fuller use should be ,made of the Review and of County / Area Divisional newsletters or broadsheets. (True, but some of the latter are excellent).
2 Divisions should visit each others' training evenings, including far greater integration between amoulance and nursing, adults and cadets.
3. Divisional PROs should develop far closer contacts with youth councils and the police fire and ambulance services. (True, but in London the Brigade's liaison wih the statutory services is quite outstanding)
4. Public duties should be far more frequen.tly shared with the Red Cross to provide a more efficient public service. This applies not only to members going on duty together but to the ·sharing of equipment, ambulances etc. (Hear! hear!)
Finance
All funds within an Area should be in a single account, thus saving some divisions from financial worries arid others from unprofitable hoarding of money (at low interest rates) for a rainy day (This ought to be obvious, but it would have many d.,iehard opponents).
2. Counties/ Areas should have complete control of the distribution of ambulances and other specialised equipment. No division should monopolise a 'minor surgery' while another scrapes by with minimal materials. Specialist · personnel should also be more readily available to work with other divisions besides their own
3. More use should be made of opportunities for - obtaining local grants, especially for cadet divisions, many of which are quite unaware of the grants available.
May Day, N. Yorkshire CSO John Coward, county emergency aid officer, introduces Resusci-Arme during an emergency aid session for civic leaders and chief exec lJ tives at Northallerton on July 9. Ri@ht, is the Marquis of Normanby, l.d
MUDDY fields with high winds, and bandaging in the inhospitable shelter of a horse-box; cramped huts in hot weatheli and thunderstorms, with no room to turn; worst of all no shelter at all and casualties exposed to the public and elements alike Such were the experiences of the members of the Holt (Norfolk) Division (12 active members on the books and next-to-nothing in the kitty). How they envied the plush facilities of richer divisions with splendidly -equipped ambulances and tFailers.!
The Holt Division, in typically- mixed countryside, attends both town and country events: football matches on their doorstep gymkhanas and racemeetings 10 miles away, game-fairs in remote c.ountry estates with few or no facilities. They spend much time on the road and all their equipment has to travel with them. ldeally, the members decided, they would like the facilities of an ambulance But an ambulance would be well beyond their means and uneconomically employed if detached, say, for three whole days at a remote event. And ambulances are designed primarily for moyement; what was needed was a temporary headquarters, static yet easily transportable. The obvious answer was a caravan, a caravan equipped as an ambulance for the care of patients but also capable of being a home-from-home for those on duty as first-aiders. But the purchase of a professionally-converted firstaid cara,van was simply a pipe-dream for a small division hard Pblt to meet day-to-day expenses. The solution - an old caravan and do-it-yourself
Possibilities
For a nominal sum, Holt purchased an elderly but sound Bluebird caravan (the second-hand value of caravans more than a few years old is surprisingly low). After much walking-around inside and out, and at drill-nights, the possibilities were apparent: the caravan would do service as a static ambulance, as a doctor's surgery and as an in -the-field headquarters for dutypersonnel. Comparatively little expenditure would be needed, particularly if -existing fittings were left as far as possible in place. As the fust step (see plan) it was decided to confine alterations to one side only (the off-side) leaving the domestic facilities of the near-side intaet. All the fittings at floor-level on the off-side were removed and replaced by a wooden box-seat running the length of the caravan. The upper surface of this seat was grooved longitudinally to take the runners of a standard Brigade light-alloy stretcher: the overall length is sufficient to accommodate a stretcher at the rear-end leaving 2 Y2 metres for bed-space at the frontend. As this bed-space faces a corresponding bed of the previous fittings , it became clear
A small country division answers one problem
A DIY mobile First Aid unit
R.
V. cox,. Vice-President, Holt Division
In the June issu e, Folkestone Corps secretary Mrs. Whitnall asked Jor help in planning a mobile first aid unit. Here, Norfolk's Holt Division provides one answer, not only Jor Folkestone but Jor any SJA unit with ' the same problem. This is an example oj the role the Review should play Jor our organisation. Thanks, Holt.
that the front half of the caravan could serve as a 'hospital ward' with space for two patients, or as a doctor's surgery when secluded by curtains
Access for the stretcher proved the main problem, for clearly the small existing door would not permit the entry of recumbent patients. So a hatch 115 cm square was cut in the off-side of the rear of the caravan (amidst much speculation of what might be concealed in the double-wall of the shell) with the lower edge flush with stretcherrunners on the long box -seat. The square hole in the vehicle was strengthened with wood and angle-iron and the cut-out portion, suitably reinforced, was remounted with hinges at the upper edge to give an estate-car type door rising above the new access. The job was finished by fitting a pair of standard hydraulic-dampers near the upper edge and two locking door-handles at the bottom
Smartend up
With these two major alterations, the conversion was virtually complete and the van was handed over to the cosmetic ' experts. Smart new vinyl-oovered mattresscushions were provided, new lino was laid and new curtains hung , and a couple of coats of paint were applied with the St. John livery superimposed outside. Finally all the
accoutrements of an ambulance were installed, together with extra facilities such as a collapsible wheel-chair and a supply of calor-gas for heating and lighting. Almost as an afterthought a television aerial-standard was erected, not for the purpose of providing every home comfort but as a mast for the St. John flag .
Not expensive
The cost? Rather difficult to say, but probably in the region of £300. To be fair, much material and many fittings were generously given. But the disadvantages of outgoings were small compared with the rewards of achievement and pride from the team-effort that had occupied the long winter evenings of the Division's members. And to be fair, it should be said to those who might care to follow Holt's example that the Holt Division has 'on its books' a motor -engineer, an upholsterer and a cabinet-maker. In the opinion of these experts, such a project could equally well have been undertaken by an unskiI1ed group, given sufficient care and perseverance.
Shortly after the unit was commissioned, Holt Division had the honour of being called to stand duty at the Royal Norfolk Show in July 1976 and there the mobile first aid unit was inspected and commended by Her Royal Highness, Prinoess Margaret. The Division is proud of this honour but probably equally (and · modestly) proud of their handiwork. They claim for it no 'patent' and they are delighted to demonstrate their brainchild to all and sundry. They feel that they have made a contribution to the doctrine of self-sufficiency, which is at the root of the St. John philosophy, whilst developing an idea that could be of widespread application throughout the oountry_
The men of Holt Division jus t got on with solv in g their problem
S T .JOHN
r..I'\AAl U D. N eE
Munch ' Munch
Some strange things are happening in ,Leicestershire' s Eastern Area
TV's Ted Moult (L) and Lord Lanesborough start the big munch.
(Photo: Leicester Mercury)
On May 15 Eastern Area Leicestershire staged - wait for it - a St. John Cream Cracker Eating Championship. What on earth's that? Let Nursing Member Barbara Beeston tell us about it. She write.s: It took place at Thurmaston , Leicester. None of this would have been possible without the wit of Div. Supt. Joan Williams , of Anstey Combined Adults, and the generous support of the Co-op superstore at Thurmaston, who gave us the run of the store for the championship.
How it' s done - the winners: Ian Hi ll sdon, 13 , and Stuart Mitchison, 12. (Photo: Leicester Mercury)
Originally the idea was to create public interest in the St. John Gala, due a week after the championship, but it all snowballed and we got lots of super publicity.
Four local newspapers, Radio Leicester, Radio Trent and Radio One covered the event, and A TV personality Trevor East gave us a couple of mentions on his Saturday programme.
The Co-op offered to arrange everything and very well done it was too. They sent letters (on St. John notepaper) to all local organisations asking for entrants to the championship.
The idea is to eat as many dry cream crackers (Jacobs) as possible in 2 minuteswith no drinks though! It's harder than you think!
As no ' record existed for this we appro.ached The Guinness Book of Records for an application form, but were refused because the competition did not have enough national appeal. Maybe this report in the Review will give the subject national appeal - at least we hope so. ,
On ,the day, competitors included The Earl of Lanesborough; property magnate Hughie Murphy, TV Ted Moult, a SJ cadet the Lord Roger Manners A/C Division and members of the Syston Young Wives' various sporting clubs and Co-op customers.
The Earl, who is an avid supporter of St. John, was sponsored by Hug,hie Murphy at £10 - per cracker eaten. He ate £50-worth, which was donated to SJ TV's Ted Moult, as well as having "a go himself, judged the competition, which eventually finished with two boys (Co-op customers , 12 and 13 years) eating IOY4 cream crackers each in the 2 minutes; 5 minutes previously they had both eaten 9% crackers in the semi final! So they were awarded the St. John Cream Cracker Eating Championship- '76, plus a £5 gift voucher AND three packets of cream crfickers donated by the store!
So next year, what about a · national championship at Thurmaston with county munds held by St. John throughout the British Isles? The Co-op, with branches throughout the country, like the idea. And think of the pUblicity! Where do we go here? For further information about our event, aSAE to Div. Supt. Mrs. Joan Williams, Anstey Combined Division, C/O St. John HQ, 112 Regents Road, Leicester.
At the cracker championship we sold 1500 programmes for the St. John gala a week later, which was organised by eight of Eastern Area's 25 divisions: We expected at least 1,000 people at the gala, but 2 to 3000 turned up!
The idea of the gala, for which a committee allocated jobs as site manager, publicity manager, ring manager, stalls manager and catering manager, was to raise £1,000 towards the cost of equipping the Area's fleet of ambulances with radios (base sets and hand sets). The fund already had £200 from last year's gala, £50 from the cream cracker contest and £ 100 from a dance held by Birstall Combined Division. This year's gala raised £500.
Our gala included stalls galore (sweets, bottles, plants, books); a treasure hunt, archery display and Morris dancers; the Melton Mowbray Tally-Ho Carnival Band
(very impressive); trim ankles contest and knobbly knees; rides on horses and a miniature bus; refreshments and a beer tent, both of which did roaring business on the very hot day.
The gala was opened by the Earl of Lanesborough and ATV's Trevor East arrived an ' hour later in Thurmaston Division's ambulance and wearing a St. John tee-shirt. He later signed the tee-shirt and it became a rame prize; he also judged competitions and signed photographs and thousands of autographs
During the afternoon the Thurmaston Cadets put on a first aid display using radio handsets for reality - and manned a
THE COAC ,H
ARRIVING AT
Cheltenham make it
PR as well as flag day
WITH coaches leaving and arriving from all parts of Britain ; the coach station at Cheltenham throbs with engines travellers and crews - which builds up to a climax with holiday traffic on summer Saturdays. With so many people milling about first aid _ is often needed, so Cheltenham Spa Combined Division's mobile unit (a caravan) has a prominent site on the for.ecourt.
Saturday, June 26, was our Flag Day, so we also mounted an exhibition at the coach station. The Efe -size dummy on a blanketed stretcher and demonstrations on resusciann€
recruiting stall. Thurmaston Cadets are now increasc:d by 35 8-to - 14 year olds , and the local adult division has increased its numbers too.
Gala Day '76 was a great success, And the treatment to a young lad who tripped in the arena and broke his wrist was so efficient that everyone thought it was part of the display!
Well , that's all from Thurmaston. Editor: Setting fot a competition test: There is a young boy in jhe Co-op eating cream crackers, He eats and eats and eats - and soon it is obvious to everyone that he has eaten too much. fils face takes on' a pallor - and then
and the use of air-splints created a lot of interest. Our posters depicted the many facets of the Brigade and an excellent one on resuscitation by BOC Medishield Ltd. It was a hot ; busy, crowded day We sold quite a few flags, told a lot of people about our activities, dealt with the usual crop of minor ailments and managed to keep a lost 3-year-old boy amused while his parents were found, Not perhaps a typical day, but a good flag / PR day,
A.J H. Divisional Officer
(Below) At eastern Area's ga a day, ATV's Trevor East with Thurmaston cadets, and (right)" T revor was b u sy all afternoon (Photos: Martin Tierney)
Thurmaston cadets' firs t aid disp ay drew c rowds - and re c ru its. (Photo : Martin Tierney )
SOME TIME ago I wrote to Supplies on maintenance aspects of Resusci-Anne and evoked a courteous but firm disagreement from the Suplies Manager. Now that we have acquired a brand -new model I can see where we were at variance My opinions were based on experience with a ResusciAnne bought in the 1950s , and I still maintain that several of the fits between the hard plastic parts viz, the 'head on the 'shoulder yoke', were far tighter than they need to be and this led to damaging force being applied in the processes of assembling and dismantling the model. I now see that in the current production model this is not the case - except perhaps in the fit between the 'lungs' and the spout of the shoulder yoke' which is still a very tight fit.
However from an unusually-long association with care and , maintenance aspects of our old model I offer the following comments which could well be of interest and help to others now that R-A has become an indispensable training adjunct in practiGally every division:
1. THE BODY We replaced the original body in May 1968 because of leaks, mainly around the shoulders and neck, although some small leaks were apparent in the armpits (due to an enthusiastic borrower demonstrating Sylvester's Manual Method!).
The captive plug of the inflation spout had become detached long ago and several plugs, made from wooden spills, had been lost. (A replacement is now a Supplies' article).
In view of the frequent use and on occasion, inexpert assembling and dismantling, the body lasted remarkably well. It is my opimon .that attempts to assemble the model in a very cold ambient has caused a lot of the splitting around the neck opening; the blue plastic material is hard and inflexible when cold and, in preparing the room for Association c1asses, (which we run every year dl.,lring September to April), it has been a great advantage to spread the body part ofR-A on two chairs in front of one of the space-heaters so that the shoulder part is appreciably warmed before attempting to stretch the ruching to take the 'shoulder yoke'. This is not necessary with the new model, which is a very much easier fit, but it is still a good habit to cOI'ltinue.
2. THE !LUNGS. We bought a replacement some years ago and 90th this and the origiI'la1 eomponent have been patched-up from time to time and made to serve a little longer. The damages have included:
(a) Leaks around the bottom edge.
(b) Leaks due to the belt pulling the tabs away from the lungs and a torn-off belt - all due to enthusiastic overtightenIng.
(c) The ea-ptive peg holding the lungs on to the spout was torn off and lost. A suitablyshortened golf tee (drilled at the cup end to
Living it up with a doll from * Stavanger
Look after her, JACK says, and she'll be around for years ...
take a self-tapping screw and washer to attach it to a doubled -over strip of zinc-oxide plaster stuck on to the former anchorage on the lungs), served admirably.
3. THE SHOULDER YOKE. The spout of the original component was snapped off many years ago. This eventuality has obviously been anticipated by the makers since a repair kit for this particular breakage has been made up and is a Supplies article As I have tried to persuade Supplies Department, this breakage occurs if closed chest cardiac massage is attempted when the elliptical chest -band is not at right angles to the surface upon which the model rests; when askew it does not support the lungs properly and it is easily possible to deflect them downwards enough to break off the spout where it is weakened by the hole for the peg. (I have already supplied notes and a sketcn showing how a slat of plywood can be applied to make a foot at right angles to the elliptical chest band. See Fig 1). Without this it is advisable, when inflation of the body is nearly sufficient, to check that the chestband is at right angles to both underside of lungs and the support surface upon which the model rests ; the zip-opemng track -suit top of the current model greatly facilitates this, it was mot so easy with the older model's jumper-top track suit.
• In Norway her birthplace
When a replacement shoulder yoke was obtained from Supplies the spout was far too big in diameter to enter the hole in the lungs. With file and emery cloth it was a simple matter to reduce this to give an easy -sliding fit which is quite sufficiently airtight for the purpose.
4. THE HEAD On ' several occasions clumsy borrowers have succeeded in damaging the attachment of the head to the shoulder yoke It has , apparently not occurred to them that the design provides a keying between these two \Darts such that separation is only possible when the head is rotated EXACTLY 180 0 from normal. Two small 'snubs' of the hard plastic material of the neck engage a circ ular keyway in the shoulder yoke so that normally the head is held firmly on to the shoulder yoke - and the joint is reasonably - airtight. To emphasise the need for correct alignment before trying to separate head and shoulders I stuck an arrow-head (cut owt of vulcanite - but any such material would serve) on to the front of the neck and cut a slot in the shoulder yoke in line with it, ie. exactly between the slots. (See Fig. 2).
Despite this the snubs' got damaged and one got broken off. For a long time we managed with the remaining 'snub', but, eventually, this got torn off and the keying was lost. I made two replacements of closegrained hardwood and stuck these on. It
took several experiments before I found that , on a surface roughened by a coarse file, RAPID ARALDITE was the best adhesive an.d it paid to coat the snubs allover with a thin coating. (To accommodate this the 'snubs ' had to be slightly-reduced in size).
Ap.art from this the head part has lasted remarkably -well considering the rough treatment it gets. The internal tubing and
mechanism has given no trouble at all in 20odd years of repeated use and clean sing However , I am still hoping that a chewst friend will help me find a substance , not damaging to the face , which will dissol ve away the traces of ex tremely Kiss -proof lipsticks which have dyed indelibly the buccal area, and preferably the same cleaning fluid , the dark staining of the
The I nuit are keen first-aiders
Gjoa Haven, in Canada s North West Territories, is the settlement near which the six SJA cadets who left Britain in July erected a survi val cairn. (See Around and About, August)
GJOA HAVEN has more people trained in first aid per capita than any other settlement in the North West Territories. A very active public health programme conducted by the resident Health and Welfare Canada nurses over the past five years has made the Inuit of Gjoa Haven keenly aware of the benefits of healthful living and they were, therefore, very responsive to the programmes St. John Ambulance offered. In 1974 a total of 192 people were given training in first aid and borne nursing - out of a total population of about400!
In March 1976 SJA Headquarters, North West Territories received a letter from the Inuit Health Committee, signed by 78 people requesting further training in first aid. Arrangements were made for the author to visit the settlement and , using the training films and books both of which are presented in Inuktitut , train local residents as instructors.
On April 27 the training commenced and lasted five days. The four ladies and one man
trained were very quick to learn and showed a high degree of skill in handling patients. To cap a successful venture, a contest was arranged for the afternoon of Sunday May 2 in which all were invited to participate
The te st wa s to examine and splint a person with a broken arm , load them onto a Kamotik (s led ge) tie them down comfortabl y but firml y, and then transport them over a short course which presented both rough and smooth terrain.
With a flare pistol to start the event and most of the people in the settlement watching , the seven teams got to work and before long the loaded kamotiks laboured over the ploughed-up snow presented as an obstacle The contestants showed great care and took their time , despite their love of rac ing.
Co-judges for the event were Leslie Knight , R.N., who was most helpful throughout the week , and the author.
All teams were ver y good at ·splinting , bandaging and handling the patient , but the team that won was considered to ha ve made the best initial examination and asse ssment of the patierat. They missed nothing! Mary Kamookak the team leader , was (as one might expect) one of those trained as a multimedia instructor.
nostrils
Li'k e e ver y thing el s e the co s t of a complete Re sus ci - Anne or an y rep lacement component parts has rocketted in recent year s so it behoves all who have to handle the lad y to treat her with very great respect. From our sad experiences I'd suggest as the Cockn ey music hall star used to sayNeve r intr o duce your Donah t o a PaL •
Mr s. A k ikungnak the interpreter for t h e SJA c ourse at G oa Ha v en
Before I left Gjoa Haven the instructors demonstrated their newly aquired skills b y teaching six students Save-a-Life s ki l s and Mar y Kamookak awarded the badges and certificate s.
I cannot think of anywhere I would rather have an accident th a n Gjoa Haven
M ichael J. Hewitt
SJA Executive Director
THINK BEFORE YOU •..
from Jack Baker, Ambulance Member
In contemplative mood, reading the letters in recent copies of REVIEW, I wondeF if we should not examine our purpose before we open our mouth or reach for our pen. I deploFe the opinion, often implied, that Brigade members fall into two groups, 'them' and 'us', depending upon what style of cap one wears. (Personally, I would like to see the present trend, of white bag and white gloves for all, extended to one sort of cap - if only so that the present white-banded headgear can be improved; it gives me a headache, physical not emotional!) - -
In any voluntary organisation such as ours there is bound to be a sprinkling of 'glory grabbers' al'ld 'blame dispensers' and im the nature of things it is likely that most of these are the ambitious ones who want to climb the ladder of promotion. It is possible to skim the cream of St. John memb,ership by being just an A/M and dodging any involvement in the hard work of organisation and administration which has to be done by someone. Quite often the ambitious newcomer is prepared to accept the task as the price to be fJaid for his promotion and we others should wish him well; I have no patience, of course, with the 'butterfly brigade' - they really are quite rare in any Area or County set-up and, divisionally we hardly ever meet them, anyway. Even so, with all their/our faults, all of us are lovable and salt-of-the-earth to some extent or we would not have joined, and in the true St. John spirit, we should be as sympathetic towards a colleague with I-trouble as we would be if it were the sort an oculist could remedy.
In all we think or do or say we should ask ourselves 'What's best St. John wise? - Am I just giving play to my personal vanity or my "who-the-hell-do-they-think-they are" attitude?'
There is a very special reason just now why I am mindful of the wise sayings of St. Paul; from much apt advice I quote:
'For I say to every man that is among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought. For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office ' (Shrewd psychology in terms of sound physiology).
Als<D:
'Art thou called being a servant? Care not for it , , For he that is called in tbe LOlid, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman.'
In a long (and chequered!) life I recall two characters, one Cl! Civil Defence chief and the other a Divisional Superintend<mt both of whom, at widely-separated incidents, having arranged for the feeding of those they were in charge of, stood aside and waited for their turn at the end of the q·ueue. Both these were 'born leaders', irrespective of badges and rank. Leadership simply consists ·in p'ersuading other people to do what you believe is the best thing.
So, to get back to the initial theme:
'Though I speak with lihe tongues of men and of angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal .' Perhaps this applies to me; only in my own heart can this be assessed. Bath - Jack ,Baker
PUBLIC DUTY
'from Clive Bradley, SRN, RMN, Area Staff Officer
The recent decision that all male officers and members should wear ' white havelisacks while engaged on public duty prompts this letter, for haversacks constitute a hazard when the wearer is engaged in heavily congested areas or motorised sports (stockcar racing).
Would it not be better for Regulations to be amended so that, at the discretion of the officer in charge of these duties, haversacks need not be worn in danger areas? Haversacks are ideal for lining routes of processions and at various shows, but they are not practical for other aspects of our work.
Another point is the difficulty of tliying to locate personnel tr:eating a pa,tient in a crowd (football matches) when it is dark. Traffic police wear a hat-cover which is very visible at night. CouldSJA not produce one for this purpose?
READERS VIEWS
Readers' views and opinions, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundations. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen - name, writers must supply their name and address t o the editor
I hope these suggestions may be of value to our HQ staff, as they are made from experience gained in the field.
DUTY DRESS
from W. L. Nimmo, Divisional Superintendent ·
The letters (July Review) from Superintendents S. J, Tucker and G. p, Brown concerning dress, following your earlier publication of my own views on the utility of anoraks , prompt further comment.
Dress when on duty is subject to Brigade Regulations, and whilst appreciating - with discretion - that rules are for the guidance of the wise, I have no desire to equip my Division with an individual livery. ] hope, however that the expressed in Review columns do reach the audience of the committee (it must be a committee) that decides the alterations and additions that take place from time to time in those Regulations.
Some changes are dictated by fashion and others by expediency, but if ours is to remain a uniformed organisation, improvements must be effected by persuading the powers' that these · are desire able and obtaining their approval.
Godstone W. L. Nimmo
COVEREID?
froin J. L. Springer, Divisional Superintendent (A)
I find that many Brigade units turn out for public duties at a very low level of manning. I have heard of as few as two members 'covering' (?) a duty at which 15,000 people were expected.
Many duties are 'covered' by members unaccompanied by ambulances , even when the duty is in a wild or inaccessible place and ambulances could be made available,
I feel that officers should be helped to plan cover for duties of various kinds by more discussion and training for modern conditions.
Huddersjield John Springer
PRO FIDE from Recently' Disheartened
I have been catching up on my Reviews and thought refreshing it was to read the letter from A/M D. L. Young, of Eton, about St. John's Day (Sept 75 Review).
I am rather surprised no-one has commented on this letter since. Anyway, thank YO l!l Mr. Young, for reminding us St. .ili ohn Ambulance is really all about - not flogg ing the history but virtually stating that our motto is double barrelled: 'For the Faith' as well as 'For the Service of Mankind'!
In November issue, a Guernsey officer wondered many members of SJA have any knowledge of the organisation outside their own area or even division. I would add, how many know what our motto is. , and like Mr. Young, how many live up to the first part?
Ye s, let's give God lime Glory a little mmmbleness would probably mean a lot less petty in divisions and much more harmony, Thank you again , Mr. Young, Recently Disheartened
WHY?
from E. J. Davey, Sec and PRO
Enclosed is the cover of a ] year book of SJ A Northampton, Huntingdon and Peterborough that · I found recently at work.
As a man of Kent I am wondering why a book of these counties includes the emblem of Kent on its front cover?
Warminster D. J Davey
SEX DISCRIMINA nON from A Nother Female Officer m:be Jobn
Year Book 1970
Thank you to Mr. W. E, Street's reply to A Female Officer s query (June Review). I heartily endorse all he says and it's long overdue, especially the last paragraph.
It does not seem fair , good sense or efficient for a male officer of 2 to 3 years' service to have seniority on duty over a female officer with 20 years experience, but it happens. Surely the fact that we are not in paid employment should have noting to do with the situation. I have also heard it s aid in our area that there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians!
North of England A Nother Female Officer
HAD TO COMMENT
from Dr. P. N. Paterson -Brown
The critical review of my booklet A Matter of Life and Death in the May Review raises several very important points which I could not let pass without comment.
T, J. G,. W. who wrote the review , states ' I would certainly think his comments to the uninitiated to strike a person firmly on the chest with his fist to restart the heart as positively lethal. In reply I would make four points. I make it quite clear in the book that:
(1) the person must be dead before this is attempted
(2) I describe very carefully the signs which tell you if someone is dead.
(3) I recommend that everyone should attend courses of instruction run by the Red Cross or St. John or St. Andrew s Association on how to do it before attempting it on a dead person.
(4) If the person is dead, how then can a blow on the chest be considered lethal?
Secondly T. J, C. W states that it is not the current treatment to make conscious people who have swallowed poison vomit. He is I believe , quite wrong in this belief. Provided the person is conscious and has not swallowed a corrosive poison , the first aid treatment is to make him sick. Not, I may say , by the old method of giving salt and water but instead by giving syrup of Ipecacuanha (B.M.J. Nov, 29 19.75).
Some people would advocate it being kept in every house for such emergencies , but this is unlikely ever to be universally accepted What is agreed , however is that the sooner people are made sick the better
En rural areas it may be an hour before the casualty reaches hospital or sees a doctor. In these instances I believe it is desirable to make the person sick as mentioned in my booklet.
Finally J. C. W. feels sceptical as to the ability of the individual who reads the booklet being able to do other than place the unconscious person in the recovery position, Well he may be right , but hundreds of orders from the Scout and Guide movement, Directors of Education , Area Health Board, schools and The Commission on Accident Prevention would suggest he was wrong I hope the review is the opin.ion of one person and not that of the St. John Ambylance.
Hawick P N. Paterson-Brown, MB, ChB, DObst, RCOG
Our reviewer of this book replies: Hav i ng read Dr. Paterson -Brawn s letter regarding my review of hi s booklet I have to admit my errors in passing too harsh a judgment on his booklet which is, of course, an excellent publication but I quite agree that if a pe rson is dead can a blow on his chest be considered lethal - point taken , but nevertheless we are rather wary of advising it to the general public.
Regarding poisoning, The point he makes about making people sick in the event of known corrosive poisoning and in the conscious person is, without doubt, common sense, but , as I have said, not easily done
T. J. C. W.
WHO NOTICED?
from Mrs. B. J. Pollard, Area Superintendent
I wonder how many people noticed the photographic error in the July Review - or should I say printing error? The photo on page 160, of Corps Staff Officer Mrs. D. Pople and granddaughter , was printed the wrong way round Being a cadet officer myself, I noticed the cadet's stripe was apparently on the wrong arm.
It would be interesting to know how many people did notice this.
Sheerness B, J. Pollard Edit: I know I didn't.
I BOOKS ·
TRA VEL MEDICINE: A Handbook for Practitioners by A. C. Turner
Churchill Livingstone, London, 1975, pp.250
This. excellent book, while designed for the general practitioner who is being brought into touch more and more with tropical medicine, will also find a wide readership among paramedical personnel and others who are interested in the medical aspects of travel. This it will achieve because it is simply an d clearly written, without jargon. The range it achieves is remarkable: it deals with not only pre-travel advice but also covers the commoner conditions met overseas in a most interesting way. It will not be too much to say that it contains all that nursing and ambulance personnel might wish to know about tropical conditions and the way they may impinge on the traveller , both when he is on his travels and after he returns, In every respect it is to be highly recommended, , There are appendices giving such useful information as vaccination requirements for- various countries, yellow fever vaccination centres, malarious areas of the world and useful addresses. Unfortunately appendices like these need continual bringing up to date, Already some of the useful addresses, for example, are out of date. We hope that this book will go into many editions , so that this aspect can be borne in mind,
D M,Macka y
VISUAL
HUMAN BIOLOGY
by G. D. Chalk and G. P. J. Baster
Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd.
Having read Visual Human Biology I have nothing but praise for its clear and concise presentation. I note that the authors primarily intend the book for use for students up to GCE Ordinary Level Human Biology or CSE mode III courses and I fully agree that it is an excellent introduction for pre-nursing and pre-medical and welfare students The diagrams are excellent and I particularly like their simplicity and clarity. I am so glad that the authors did not use coloured diagrams as it would not have been helpful and would also have greatly added to the cost.
A truly excellent book and I would have said a must for anyone intending to study human biology,
T. J. C. W.
NEWS from SCOTLAND
Priory Headquarters
On JuLy 3 Chancery was visited by Mr. G. Smith, the General Secretary of St. John at Papua, New Guinea. He was received by the Chancellor, who showed him round St. John's House, the St. John exhibition in Tolbooth and the St. John hospices at Trinity and Carberry.
On July 12 the St. John exhibition was visited by the Grand Prior, who spoke to the members of the committee before seeing the display, accompanied by the Prior and Chancellor of Scotland. The Lord Provost gave a luncheon party for the Grand Prior after he had seen the exhibition.
Central Region
The committee and the association have broken new ground by organising sponsored pony trotting races in Stirling. They hope to raise £ 1,0 00. Fife
The committee are proceeding with its plans to equip a holiday flat in Leven and have inspected the premises they propo se to take over.
On July 20 the old people, aged between 65 and 80 years, from the Trinity and Carberry hospices in Edinburgh were taken on an outing to Falkland Palace. The Fife committee provided tea and hospitality on arrival: a nice act of co-operation between the regions.
Acra
Mrs Hay of Seaton, a Dame of the Order and a leading figure in St. John affairs for many years, has just been on a visit to Israel and writes:
No praise is too great for the work done over the last twenty years by the government
of Israel. beset with every sort of economic and defence problem, in connection with the excavation and restoration of the ancient cent1i1e of the Order of St. John in Acre, where the last stand against the Muslims was made in 1291. It is a vast operation and there sti ll remains much to be revealed. The work, carried out with immense technical and hi storical skill, has been supervised by an architect with profound archeologica l knowledge. I was told that for five years about 100 men were engaged permanently on the project and that even today there are still 12 men steadily on it. One of the smaller halls, which seats about 300 people and is now finally and beautifully restored, is used every Saturday night for concerts of classical music. I attended a Rossini concert there, performed by a sma ll choir, four solo singers and two pianos. The acoustics were excellent and the performance was of international standard and presentation.
Albe r t Edward Ne so n ( D e rb ys.)
Eric Wa gs aff(C hesh ire)
Albert Federeick Bare ham. C.Eng. MIPE (London)
Norman Alfred Chisholm (Wirral)
Graham Ey land Dickinson (Soli hull)
geffrey Pell (C hes hir e)
A lan Watkin son (Lanes.)
Jack Gi ll ett. MSE (London)
Jo se ph Dere k Low e (Lancs.)
Arthur George Bath ( Hants.)
John Frederick Colburn, BA. (Merseyside)
Ernest Walter Ba rn asco ni (London)
Bernard Jo seph Appelbee (Hereford)
Kenneth G eo rge Mo se (Essex)
Frederick Henry Jame s Harper (London)
William Charles Tyler (Hants)
George Dunbar (Lancs.)
1fhomas Ward (Notts.)
Frederick Charles George Rooke SRN Mer seyside)
Richard Hen ry George Di c ken son ( Kent)
Alwyn Mi tc hell (Lanes.)
John Mich ael Dixon (Barrow in Furne ss)
Leonard Alfred R obert (Gue rnsey)
Thom as Griffiths Butche r (Lancs.)
M o nta g ue Levy ( Ken t)
John Morle y, MB CH, B (Derbys.)
Cyril Vernon Bu s hell (L verpool)
John Charles Turnbull (Essex)
Alfr ed Bath C hur ch (Lanes.)
Jack Alex B oodworth (Glos )
Thoma s Henr y Bagley (London)
Roy Frederick Spencer (Kent)
John Lochhead (Hereford)
Cyril Char es Canham MBE (London)
Gilbert Stuart Clarke, JP (Norfolk)
Christoph e r Gibson (Leics.)
Les lie Harper (Lancs.)
Edward Kerrui s h Holt (Nth. Humberside)
ORDER
INVESTITURE
London, July 22
COMMANDER (Brother)
Maj. Gen. John M cG hie , QHP, MD, FRCPsych,
DPM. (Lo nd on)
Ernest John William s (Shrewsbury)
John McKim Park (Middx.)
Bertram Roper (W. Midlands)
Roland Graham Bellamy OBE, TD, M .Eng. (Essex)
Ro y McLellan Archibald, MB Ch.B, DIH (Surrey)
Al fre d Mayhew , MBE (Essex)
COMMANDER (Sister)
The Lord Prior Lord Caccia, investing the Association's Assistant Director General Roland Graham Bellamy, OBE, TD , M.Eng, as Commander ; and (below), also as Commander , SJA's Deputy Surgeon-in-Chief
Roy McLellan
Archibald M B, Ch.B, DIH
Edna Maud, Mrs. Ingham (N. Yorkshire)
Dorothy Achsah Grace, Miss Watts (Lomdon)
OFFICER (Brother)
Douglas Char les William Gan no n (Hants.)
Robert Hamilton Phillips TD. (London)
Col. Anthony John Shaw MA, MB , MFCM, D.Obst RCOG. (Hants.)
Sidney Haggart (Essex)
Henry Charles Parsons Middx.)
William Frederick Sower by (Hull)
Stanley Arthur Wright (Essex)
Edward Arthur Millward SEN. (Bucks.)
Reginald William (Sussex)
Leo Thomas George Smith (Berks.)
Sir Graham Wilkinson , Bt. (London)
OFFICER (Sister)
Sylvia, Lady Wilkinson (London)
Annie , Miss Coope r (Worcs.)
Doris , Nell , Mrs. Burton (Essex)
Hilda , Mi ss Lambert (Middx.)
El iza.beth , Mrs. Todd (Birmingham)
SERVING BROTHER
Alan Gooding, MB, BS, MRCS LRCP , D.Obst. (Surrey)
Geor ge Rich a rd Whittington (Surrey)
Arthur Charles Kyte (Ha nt s.)
Roland Loy e Duffett (Herts.)
SERVING SISTER
Clarinda Ellen , Mrs. Thoma s (Co rnwall)
Jenifer Ann, Miss Cracknell SRN, OND. (Birmingham)
Kath lee n Ellen. Mr s. Lewington Berk s.)
Col. Phylli s Grant Bennet t, CBE, RRC, SRN , SCM. (Es sex)
Irene Maris Mi ss Bray (London)
Lilian Mrs. Sewell (W. Yorks.)
Elizabeth , Mr s. Bel s haw (Notts.)
Lillian Elizabeth, Miss P ipe (Hants.)
Glad ys Anne, Mrs. Renouf SEN. (Guernsey)
Sylvi a Elsie Mrs. Gray (Kent)
Lizzie Mary, Mrs. Brown (Leicester)
Doroth y Mabela, Mrs Broomhead (Sheffield)
Annie Ivy Miss Hayes (Herts.)
June Delores, Mrs. Oldknow (Notts
Mary Caroline, Mrs. Cadbury, SRN. (Sa lop .)
Eveline Mrs. Lightow ler (Leeds)
Doris Mrs. Hill (Nr. Doncaster)
Rosemary Linda, Miss Ballard (Kent)
Betty, Mi ss Roast (W. Yorks.)
Ca herin e Ann, Mrs. Dickinson SRN. (W. Midlands)
Shirley, Mr s. Alexander (Staffs.)
Ruth Alice. Mrs. Roberts (Leeds)
Doris Violet Enid, Mrs. De Carteret (St. Peter Port CL )
Ellen Mrs. Coffey (Lancs.)
Gladys Rose Mi ss Wood wards (Herts.)
Con stance Ellen, Mrs. Drew (Yorks.)
Margaret May Mis s Wall (Notts.)
Josephine Jeannette Mrs. Skinner (Suffolk)
Dorothy Christine, Mis s Bailey (Coventry)
Monica Ei een, Mi ss Alexander (Hants.)
Edna Barron Mr s. McKinney, SRN (Lancs.)
Doreen Marjorie Mrs. Speare (Wores .)
Annie Lilian Mrs. Crewe (Leicester)
Peggy Mr s. Dunlop (Leeds)
Doris Adelaide Maude, Miss Burbidge (London)
Maureen Morde ca i Miss Jones (Norfolk)
Sebra May Mr s. Greaves (Wirral)
Lesbia Vir ginia Mrs Shaw (Kent)
Dorothy Louisa Mrs. Trentham (Salop)
DOrGthy Mr s. W a llace (Newcast e upon Tyne)
Esquire
Charles Peregrin e Albemarle Bertie ( Berks .)
Viscount Furness. Knight of Ju s tice, presented his personal Esquire to The Lord Pr io r.
her hus ba nd and wheelchairbound son, who suffers from spina bifida, with Mr. and Mrs. Kei h Lyle. Mrs. Lyle and Mrs. Lewington are both key members of SJA Berkshire's appeals committee Mo her and son both become Officers. Lady Sylvia Wi lkinson ,' formerly Area Pres ident, West Surrey, and Sir Graham Wilkinson
Centenary Pennant
ST AMFORD Combined Division Lincolnshire, are arranging for the design and manufacture of a special pennant to celebrate the Centenary Year.
The pennant will be produced in double thickness black sailcloth with the design picked out in willte and go ld The size will be approximately 177 mm x 304 mm.
Cost of this pennant will be 60p each for orders placed before December 1 1976, and 70p thereafter. Special discounts are available for bulk orders.
Sales will be strictly on a cash with order basis and a stamped addressed envelope (6Y2P) should be enclosed. It is anticipated that the pennants will be available in mid-December and so will make ideal Christmas presents.
Orders and any enquiries about discounts should be sent to: Div. Supt. P. W. Castle, 4, High Street, Duddington, Nr. Stamford , Lines. PE93 QE. Tel: 0780-83-678. Cheques and postal orders sho uld be made payable to: Stamford St. John. Pennant Account.
News from Divisions/Centres
LANCS - More than a 100 members and friends of SJ A Colne attended a dinner and dance on May 29 to celebrate Colne Division's 90th birthday. President Allen Exley 0 BE , proposed the toast 'St John in Lancashire' to which the principal guest Capt. T. N Catlow, CBE, RN, County Commander , responded to congratulate the Colne centre on being the second oldest in England. Capt. Catlow then presented an illuminated address and pen set to VictorBurrell , who has completed 30 years of service to the centre.
LANCS: Cadets of Saddleworth Division after a recen presentation of certificates at their Uppermill HQ (Photo : W T. Robbins)
STAFFOR 0: CSO (Cadets) Francis Jones presents a rose bowl to Supt. Ma u reen Upton of B ythe Br idg e Quadrilatera l Division, for an annu a award within the d ivi sion (Photo: Stafford Newsletter)
The Division s records include its first B F 1.
Castledown Division is entering a float (subject: first aid) in the Rochdale carnival for the first time , The Division 's Superintendent T. Brogan was made a Serving Brother earlier in the year.
LINCS - TV s Eric Morecombe visited Stamford Combined Division s first aid post at the Lords Taverner's charity cricket match at Burghley Park on July 11 With temperatures in the 90s only six minor cases out of 4000 people present were treated by the dozen members on duty.
LONDON - About 100 ambulance and nursing officers and other ranks from the 21 Divisions of the Corps were on parade for the annual inspection of the London Transport Corps at Chiswick Works on June 6
CUMBRIA: Officers of the recently re-for me d Cockermouth Div i sion receiving heir warrants from (cen tre) Commissioner Dr Warren Lush, Di v. Surg. Dr M Townend, Nursing Off. Mrs. Joan Fletcher and Off.-in-charge Harold Robinson (Photo: Cumbrian Newspapers)
The inspecting officer, District Commissioner Derek Fenton MBE , later remarked on the number of new members on parade.
OBITUARY
Amelia Andersen, 85, Nursing Member , No. 9 Kensington Nursing Division. Andy , as she was known by everyone, was still working with the Division in 1972 after more than 30 years with the Brigade, having spent thousands of duty hours at the Royal Albert Hall. Died July 13
Mrs. Ellen Butcher, 75, Brigade member in Cape Town. Died May 26 in Bulawayo.
Brigadier Hugh Mainwaring, CB , CBE, DSO, KStJ, TD, JP, Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd. President 'of the St. John Council for Clwyd and a Knight of the Order. Aged 70.
Walter C. Mayhew, MBE. Joined Orwell Works Division, Suffolk, in ] 918. In 1942 became Suffolk's first County Cadet Officer Commander of the Order. Died in June aged 78
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENliS
ADVERTISEMENTS
Driscoll Productions, Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butley, Nr. Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP1. 2 3QF Phone: ORFORD (STD 039 45) 548
Cla
Column
Copy
Publica
Agenc
REVIEW CROSSWORD No.9 (76)
(Compiled by W. A Potte r!
Across:
1. A form of a burn associated with a town. (5) 4. Having a powerful physique. (8) 8. Filament conducting impulses into a nerve cell. (7) 9. Present in blood and urine in diabetic coma. (7) 11. Rattling sound heard on auscultation of chest of bronchitic patient. (4) 12 . Acute staphyl@coccal infection of ,the skin. (4) 13 Eminence of ilium , ischium , scapula, and tibia (5) 16. A simpleton in the soup (6) 17. The last great work of an artist. (4.4) 19. Nitrous oxide anaesthesia. (3) 20. Winged bone of the skull. (8) 21: Send back patient coming for a second time. (6) 23. Notes amended at beginning of a fever. (5) 25. Fibre conducting impulses from a nerve cell. (4) 26. Somewhat giddy and not fully orientated. (4) 28. Drug preparation to remove a tooth. (7) 30. Ability to maintain physical effort. (7) 3l. Diet with ingredients in corr@ct proportions is cut in bad surroundings. (8) 32 Not the calculus for mathematicians. (5)
Down:
1. Quite obviously the atomical position of the upper lip. (5.4.4) 2. A package for him in the walls of the ventricles of the heart? (6.2.3) 3. From t he ne>rth a doctor returns with the old balsam. (4) 4. Child mentally deficient due to chromosome abnormality. (6) 5. Passes bolus through the throat for birds. (8) 6. Consumers from east in disorder in U.S.S.R. (5) 7. Much fuss at radon centre (3) 10. Nine-nine-nine. (9.4) 14. Procedure of prophylactic medicine. (11) 15. Prepare the course of future action. (4) 17. Sorrowful sort of cake. (3) 18. A basic requirement (4) 19. Very large horse-drawn vehicle with a strange' trick. (8) 22 Given orders with protuberances (6) 24. Papal headdress. (5) 27. Follicle in which 12 Across begins. (4) 29. Many leave team for a beverage. (3)
From this issue, aCDPY 'Of the Review is being sent by PDSt tD t,he Dfficer-in-eharge 'Of every SJA divisiDn in England and NDrth @rn- Ireland. These names arid addresses have D@en supplied by CDunty headquarters, SDme as extr acts from Cmmty Year BDDks. Where an 'Officer is in charge 'Of tWD divisiDns (ie. the amb mlance amd the armbulance cadets), a copy for each divisiDn is being sent him in separate envelopes., which 'makes it administratively simpler t'O change the name and address fDr 'One CDPY should ,he relingush 'One AlsD, ' with the time lapse ,between cDmpiling lists and despatching September cClpi@s, SDme DffiCiers-in-charge 'Of divisions may have changed, 'Of
- SD all clnlanges 'Of names and! Dr addresses shDuld be sent (1tIbe previous and the new) as sDD'm as pDssible to Review Sales, 1 GrDsvenDr Crescent, LDndDn, SWIX 7EF.
SDme CDunty Year BDDks included ,divisions with
n'O record 'Of the Dfficer-in-charge, SD the R.eview is the'n being sent tD the secretary Dr treasurer fDr passing 'On tD the division. DivisiDns with nD 'Officers recorded in the Year BODk cannDt be sent a Review until a name and address fDr the divisiDn is ,sent tD Review -Sales.
On page this are details, for the benefit 'Of new readers, abDut submitting material fDr publlicatiDn. TD aVDid delay please send material direct tD the editDrial 'Office in SUffDlk, which is given 'On the first page 'Of every issue. And tD divisiDns WhD find they need mDre than 'One CDPY of the Review - remember we have a cheaper bldk order price of 23p a copy, including postage, fDr six 'Or mDre cDpies, three mDnths 'Order in advance. The one divisiDnal CDPY is taken intD aCCDunt 'On such 'Orders (but is sent separately), SD five extra cDpies qualifies fDr the price reductiDn.
REVIEW SALES
St. John Ambulance HQ, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, , London, SW1 )(}IEF.
Phone: 01-235 5231.
EDITOR-IAL OFFICE
St.,John Review, Wood Cottage, Hi'gh Corner, Butley, Woodbridge, Suffolk, I P 12 3QIF. Phone: ORFORD (039 45) 548.
A HOME-fROM-NOME -5 minutes walk from HEADQUARTERS and HYDE PARK CORNER
ST. JOHN HOUSE C-LUB
Stay in the centre of the West End at easy-on-the-pocket prices
MEALS - TV - BAR
Membership £3.30 a year
The Warden, St. John House Club, 50 Eaton Place, London, SW1 X 8AP. Phone: 11-235 2732
REVIEW
REVIEW INDEX 1974
Copies of the index for Volume 47, No.1 - 12 (Jan. to Dec. 1974) can be obtained firee by sending a stamped addressed foolscap size envelope to: - REVIEW SALES,
Anatomical models
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
When subscribers change their address, or name aAd address in the case of officers-in-charge of divisions, please send the PREVIOUS and the NEW name and/or address as soon as possible to:
From SJA Guernsey - to London , by Judith Moore p 237
PR - CHAT p 237
News from Division s/ Centres p.238 EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissione-r-in-Chief
AFTER A NON-STOP night flight from Gatwick I reached Lusaka just before 9.30 a.m. on Saturday 21 August and was met at the airport by Mr. Fabiano Chela MP (Inspector-General of Police and St. John Commissioner for Zambia) and Mr. H. P. Raval (Deputy Commissioner). I was also delighted to be greeted by IllY friends Nathaniel and Thelma Masemola, with whom I had stayed on two previous visits some years ago. Unfortunately they couldn't put me up this time as they were in the middle of house-moving, Nathaniel having recently retired after six years as town clerk of Lusaka. Mr. Chela took me to my hotel where he and Mr. Raval spent some time briefing me about my programme and about the present St. John situation in Zambia. He called back after lunch and took me to Matero township where I inspected the adult and cadet combined divisions who put on a display of casualty simulation and first aid , followed by a most entertaining performance of sketches, dances and songs, Here I also met Mr. Saidi (Corps Superintendent) and Mrs. Margaret Cummins, a divisional officer from South Yorkshire whose husband has a 3 or 4 years' contract job in Lusaka. Mrs. Cummins is giving an immense amount of practical help and encouragement to the Matero divisions as well as uncertificated basic training in first aid and nursing to mothers and teenage boys and girls in the local community.
That evening I was invited to a delightful dinner party with Mr. Chela , Mr. Raval and Mr. and Mrs. Cummins, and got back to my hotel shortly before midnight - quite ready for bed after my previous night on the plane and a very full and encouragiI}g first day s programme.
6 British and 6 Canadian cadets go cairn building in Canada's remote Northlands
IN A VENTURE jointly sponsored by the St. John Ambulance in the United Kingdom and Canada, a group of 12 SJ A cadets (6 English and 6 Canadian) recently flew to King William Island on a four-day camping trip. The objective was to build a cairn in a remote area and place in it a (40 day) survival kit, one of many to be placed throughout the Northwest Territories. A secondary objective was to search for the grave of Sir John Frank lin and artifacts of his doomed expedition.
Base camp was established on J Lily 29 at Gladman Point, some 70 miles west of Gjoa Haven, and from there the group flew to an area just north of Terror Bay and erected their cairn. A total of two days was spent in building the cairn and searching the bleak coast line for artifacts. A number of fossils were found, but no trace of the Frank lin expedition.
The entire group was fascinated by the landscape and their task at hand. During a brief visit to Gjoa Haven they showed great interest in the Inuit people there and their life style.
Before returning to Yellowknife, three hours were spent in Coppermit1e where the Northern Games (Eskimo Olympics) were iN progress. Two of the cadets tried their hand at the blanket toss - with great success!
A farewell dinner was held for the party in Yellowknife on August 2 by Commissioner Hodgson, which was attended by General
The two part es of cadets joined forces in Yellowknife, cap ital of Canada's N @rti<lwest T err it ories, where they were briefed by General Thorneycroft, the Territorial Commissioner
Thorneycroft, of the Canadian Department of National Defence, and others who had helped to make the venture a success.
All of the cadets, both Canadian and English, were very impressed with the North country and its residents, and carry with them many memories of a very worthwhile undertaking.
The plaque affixed to the cairn reads, under the emblem of St. John Ambulance: This cairn has been constructed by a party of St. John Ambulance cadets and crusaders from Canada and Great Britain. Contained within is a survival kit to be used in the eve,nt of an emergency.
It has been erected in commemoration of the many Arctic explorers whose lives were lost in these vast Territories, in the hope that it may some day be used to save lives. We sincerely hope that this cairn is never needed, but if it is, we shall be proud and grateful that we have been allowed the privilege of placing it here.
Members of the party Canada
Gail Lavoie - Dalhousie, N.B; Patricia Bien - Regina, Sask; Cindy DalenCalgary, Alta; Sharon Murray - Burnaby, B.C; William Kennedy - Etobicoke, Ont; Pa,ricia Bleck - Guelph, Onto England
Philip Hodson Bromborough, Merseyside; Lesley Manchester - Anlaby Road, Hull, N. Humberside; Susan Dykes - Wivenhoe, Essex; Jacqueline WakelinColyton, Devon; Paul Merriman - Long Eaton, Derby shire; Martin Simmons Sittingbourne, Kent.
Erected and dedicated in the service of mankind this 3J sf day of July 1976 in the company oj' Commissioner S. M. Hodgson, HonouralY President; Mr. Robert S. Pilot, President; Mr. Michael 1. Hewitt, Executive Director the Northwest Territories Council of St. John.
ON THE BEACH
No red-carpet
for this training ,team
FOLLOWING a lead from Buckinghamshire, Dorset has · started a County Mobile Training Nucleus (for want of a term which is not overworked) to give experience in the handling of casualties to members of St. John divisions in the county who might otherwise have to wait fer the experience until they were faced with a genuine emergency: Since most people practise bandaging, preSSlJre points, etc, on a friend who is conscious and co-operative, they become used to the way their 'casualty' reacts in given In real life the circumstanees can never be assumed as 'given', and are often - as mosf of us know only too well - quite different from, and more difficult than, those we had expected. The efforts of the Nucleus are -directed primarily at members who have not had competition experience, and conseRuently their first aid has not been carried out on well-trained casualties. But we do not allow even experienced team members to sl,ip completely through our net, for the visit of the Nucleus to a division involves everyone present, and thus provides an opportunity to discuss aspects of first aid which is helpful, and entertaining revision for the old hands. happel\s is that the Nucleus (the exCounty Surgeon, the Training Officer for the
Area, and two members of Casualties Union) swoop on a division at a regular training or drill night which has usually been purposely not earmarked for any other activity. All that is needed is a room for the casualty to make up; the hall or its stage, kitchen or storeroom, for the exercise itself; and somewhere to hide an experienced (preferably in competition work) pair of firstaiders who are members of. the division concerned. They are ch0seJi1 and asked to retire into their lair so that when they come back fer a 'performance' of the exercise, they do so with no advantage over the first pair than that of their greater experience
The first pair , who should not be used to working together, s imulate two first -aiders· meeting for the first time at an incident, who could, by virtue of a common training spring into action, each knowing his part so that they could work in a complementary way. The second (hidden) pair come in when the scene has been reset and go through the action . They are , of course , a couple of people who have done team training together and had competition experience, but who have n0t been bashing u p the books specially for t.his occasion.
The incident has been made to suit the ·
circumstances , such 1).s involving people in alld around the meeting place on alilY training night and who know the locality
The standard of first aid make -up and acting is, of course, above reproach; Casualties Union sees to that. The marking sheet is based on the current 'Hints for Judges', but deliberately uses a total of 100 points since this makes the standard achieved more easy to appreciate when shown as a percentage of the maximum The time allowed is usually fifteen minutes The first -a iders work in pairs because members inexperienced in competition work are often reluctant to deal with a practice-casualty on their own and without moral support.
The first pair go into action and are marked, with the rest of the company observing in detail. When the scene has been reset the more experienced (hidden) pair come in and go through the incident in their way. Afterwards, everybody gathers around, includin g the cas ualt y and - the make-up expert, and I try to get a discussion going on any' aspect. Sometimes a topic is - started by the judge with questions and answers flowing to and fro, not necessarily between him and the class but often between individual members of the class wh0 may quite rightly think that adjfferent priority ought to have -
It SWOOpS on a division unexpectedly - and then involves everyone
been observed from what they actually saw. On other occasions, we have gone into detail of the judge's difficulties, and cleared up many misunder stan dings. At such times, generally in a class much concerned with competition work, other features of competition staging, such as marking sheet, judges , and efficiency of stewards, or involuntary participation by the audience causing interference , are subjects which engage attention. The casualty himself is one of the most useful people present. He has been handled by first -aiders of all degrees of experience and can give very good hints to those taking part in a way which is much more explicit than any doctor could give. After about half an hour of discussion of this type, the evening closes.
We have had a very varied response in different divisions. On occasion, though man y months' notice has been given I havetwice found no more than 3 or 4 members present. At other times, 30 to 40 members have see n the 'eve nt '; and always people seem to have enjoyed themselves and would like to have more of this type of first-aid experience.
G. J. Romanes FRCS
DERBYSHIRE'S Bolsover Colliery
Ambulance Division has made a great name for itself over the last few years in first aid competitions - culminating with a first in both the 1975 and ' 76 Brigade Finals.
But now Bolsover's nursing cadet division is beginning to hit the headlines. With 49 members (13 Grand Prior's Badge holders) " 15 probationers and 7 juniors, the Division this year made its way to the national finals, finishing 8th out of 11 teams competing. The nursing cadet's Superintendent Mrs. June Madin was at the Finals to cheer on her team, which included her daughter Mandy. Mr. Madin was also there, by the way - as a member of the winning ambulance team! H ow 's that for a SJ A family success story?
Bolsover obviously needs watchingif you're going to beat 'em.
ONCE AGAIN, with the Area Competit ions behind us, the Gillette came up. This is organised by the Association and open to an y team of first-aiders in the County, and is strictly non -un ifor:m
Our Division entered men, novice, women and cadet teams and duly turned hlp with the required kits : These were checked by the officials, and we sat back to wait our turn. We always seem to draw the last few places so we settled down to put the world and St. John to rights, and chat to people we rarely had a chance to flatter to.
Except for the cadets , there h ad been no time for practices - we'd been too busy teaching others first aid, while the novices were a scratch team
One by one the teams were called and we (the girls) were last but one. All categories were doing the same team test but the adults had pairs tests as well. Our time came, our kit was taken from us and another substituted; one and two were shown to an asthmatic whose washing machine had fallen and fractured her metatarsal s; three and four found a man who had been running for a train, got cramp, fallen, dislocated his little finger and grazed his head. These attended to , another wait and our kit was taken from us yet again.
The signal came and we went to an isolated cottage wheTe a young man was doing-it-himseIr on a pair of steps with an electric drill; but a knee cartilage gave way landing him on the floor with a screwdriver impaled in his back (in the lower rib region) , a lacerated forehead , fractured elbow and, of course, the locked knee.
Our question whether there was a first aid kit in the cottage seemed to be in the negative, so we went to work with what
wa s available on the set, curtains, newspaper s, plastic flowers, books, chair cushions, rugs , etc; but , knowing this was an isolated cottage and having been 'had' before , we left it four minutes before we sent for the ambulance, · I say 'had' because we had ,lost team members this way in the past.
When clearing the rubbish out of the way I noticed our kit hidden off the set and assumed we were not to use it since the report had said ' nothing available'it was an isolated place.
Time' rang out and our judge , Dr. David Rowlands, said as he joined us , 'You're going to kick yourselves'. Our hearts sank. If only you had g.iven your casualty time to answer your question he would have told you there was a kit in the next room - remember he was badly shocked and questions take time to sink in .' He added that this was something we should remember for the rest of our lives.
Despite the round of applause as we went otT (started we felt by our Divisional members who were watching) we were kicking ourselves. ' Admittedly we were comforted a little by someone saying 'that really was first aid but we still felt we had 'had' it and trooped off for tea.
Refreshment over and the work of the auditors' calculators done, the results came. Despite our clanger we had won the Lady Gamage Trophy! (Photo above: Team leader Mary Lay receives the knight in shining armour). The rest of the Division diJ well too: Novices 2nd, Cadets 2nd and Mens 7.th, with 3rd in the Duals overall.
But this story is not to blow our trumpets - it is to make a point give your patient time and listen properly to his replies!
(Above) 12 of the 13 Bolsover nursing cadets who hold the Grand Prior s Badge, with Supt. Mrs. June Madin and ASO G. E. Poulter. Great girls - great division!
(Right) And that bright-eyed first aid team winning the N. Derbyshire area final. (L to 1'1) Gilliafl Steel, Cpl. Denise Davies, Cpl. Patricia Clarke (capt), Cp l. Mandy Madin and Cpl Alison Checklin
PhOlo Aeadmy C 1rOl1lcle
SAil TRAINING
The following letter is from the C-in-C:
I thought members of the Brigade and especially those who this year have helped to crew the Sail Training Association schooner
Malcolm Miller would be interested to know 'that in company with Wing Commander
Fazan I was privileged to be present at Cowes in August when both The Winston Churchill and Malcolm Miller assembled there at the conclusion of their recent cruises. The former was returning from her participati@n in the Transatlantic Race in . which she was third among the Tall Ships and the latter was completing the final day of her fourteen day cruise in coastal waters.
We embarked in Malcolm Miller whh other guests of the Sail Training Association and in company with Sir Winston Churchill we sailed down the Solent on the final leg to Southampton.
The Master of the MalCOlm Miller paid me the courtesy of flying the Order Flag from the mainmast. Both ships made a bra¥e sight in full sail and with the yards manned in the final stage. Besides entertained to a most excellent buffet lunch in the cockpit, we had the opportunity of touring the whole ship and talking with a cross section of the young meN who formed the crew. They came from right across the country and from all walks of life, and few had ever sailed before They made a great impression on me. They were fit, cheerful and full of confidence as a result of the experiences this cruise had given them,
I know that all our members who went on the male and female cruises this. year benefitted in the same way and my brief experience convinced me that this IS a really splendid way to develop leadership qualities among our young people.
AROUND and ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN
Next year we shall not charter one of these ships for a complete cruise but I am bidding for a limited number of vacancies on a boys' cruise and a girls' and I hope that financial considerations will not deter members from applying, as I am sure sponsors qan be found to help towards the cost. We shall publish details in Brigade Orders in due course. Meantime I hope that those who have already been on one of these cruises .will encourage friends in· their divisions to follow the'ir example.
Yours sincerely Desmond Gordon
NOTTING HILL
The following message was pas sed to HQ Londo,11 District on Aug. 31: From: Chief Commander. To: Commander St. John Ambulance, London District. Preliminary reports I. have received reflect the greatest credit on all members of the London (Prince of Wales's) District St. John
BY THE EDITOR
Ambulance on duty at Notting Hill yesterday.
Please convey my personal congratulations to Mr. Fentqn and all concerned on their exemplary performance.
MBE
A Queen's Birthday Honour that we missed in the August issue was the MBE for Mr. Jack Bowen for his Civil Service work. Mr. Bowen, who has been in SJA for 34 years, and is now London's Western Area Superintendent, has devoted much time to the handicapped, and usually takes a party on holiday for a week every year. Well done, Jack.
LIABILITY
The following Question and Answer appeared in the magazine Industrial Society: Health and safety: first-aiders Q A number of our employees have attended recognised St. John Ambulance Brigade training sessions, obtaining first aid
The Duke of Gloucester. the Grand Prior, visited both days of the British Fields Sports Society Fair in Northamptonshire during July where SJA was on duty - and of course he didn't fail to call on members (below). with Miss. M. Day, CSO Cadets (N). As well as general first aid coverage, Northants SJA ran a childr en's play area (left) which proved very popular
MIND BENDERS
Find the first aid word or words in the clue. The number of letters in the answer is given. To get you used to the idea, I'll give you the first answer.
CLUE: Doctor un we ll (5)
ANSWER: DR ILL.
I. HMS Cato is rea ll y a food container (7).
2. Be more active (8)
3. s it an in st ruction to sta rt gardening? (5).
4. Almost a rest and almost a clue (6).
Answer: Upside down - are at the bottom of page 226. No Cheating.
certificates and act as official company firstaiders for which they receive £J.25 per week in addition. to their normal wages.
Recent legislation, especially the Health and Safety at Work, etc, Act, raises the question of legal liability which they accept by performing .these duties and we need your advice about this.
TOO FAST SJA GIRLS
The finish of a girls' slow cycle relay race in Hyde Park during the recent national bicycle week - in which SJA entered a team captained by London
S.W. Area's Corps Staff Officer (Cadets) Judith Brown who rode to the event from Brighton by motorbike! The rest of our team were N/Ms Helen Anderson (St. Pancras), Carolyne Lowe (Ilford). Susan Connolly and Bernadett e Courtney (both of Harrow) Our girls proved too fast - British Airways Concorde cabin - crew team was slowest, and won The gals, who included Playboy Club bunnies and ex-Miss World Eva Reuber Staier (capable-looking race starter with hand on hips), and the guys in the crowd seem to have had fun (Photo : British Airways)
Th e Ward en and Chief Surgeon of the St. John Ophthalmic Ho sp ital , Jerusalem, Colonel Keith Batten, with his wife and daughters outside Buckingham Palace after rece iving his CBE for services to the hosp ital
A The Health and Safety at Work, etc, Act does not change the liability situation as it previously existed. In th e past the legal opinion has been that if an injury arises due to lack of care on the part of a first -aider any claim would lie against him a s well as the company. It is, therefore, advisable to insure against this risk.
We have also been asked what the extent of a company's liability would be in the case of illness resulting from drugs administered by qualified first-aiders. Again, the legal' opinion was that in the event of any claim t he company have separate liability if the first-aider is employed by the company and his duties included the giving of first aid. Here again it is advisable to pursue the matter of insurance.
Editor: No first-aider is authorised to issue drugs except on a doctor's prescription.
PLEASE
A letter we received:
Dear Sir , Please could I have the magazine St. John Review every month I s hall pay the su m of -36p each month. Thank you very much. Yours sincerely , Cadet Mary Whittaker (age 16).
(In different writing) P.S. Cheque for the year enclosed, Grannie.
THE PUNTER
I hear tha Weymouth's Divisional Officer
John Cotton was on his way home from duty at a local wrestling evening when a young naval rating, who had dived into Weymouth ..harbour for a wager, was brought ashore by a boatman. Mr. Cotton said: 'He was out cold and not breathing. I immediately gave him mouth-tomouth resuscitation and kept it up for about five minutes until an ambulance arrived.'
beauty activi t y a nd complexity of woodland through the seasons. Strongly recommended. Charge of £2 incl. V AT.
THE SECOND
Rugby Town Division was presented with its second Hoskyn Memorial ambulance (cost £4 ,500 with equipment) during May. It was paid for by donations from schools, clubs, associations and the public.
Tlnanks , everyone.
The sailor, who had accepted a £1 bet to swim a mile of the harbour, was taken to hospital and disc!rarged after treatment. Hope he won. his bet.
TO HAROLD ...
Lines to Harold Stewart (July Review, page 150):
When I send you my Salutation It's not, Dear Sir, with Misquotation 'A little knovrledge is a dangerous thing' With Pope - no chord would ring
What he wrote (in grave now turn'ing) was A little learning .' Anon.
TOGETHERNESS
hear that 'Togetherness' was the appropriate tbeme of the 2-week East Belfast Fest-ivai organised by the Community Council during July.
The festival included a staged incident involving the Royal Ulster Constabulary (regulars and reserves), the Ulster Defence
Regiment , Belfast Fire Brigade the Red Cross and SJA. Togetherness indeed.
The theme of the demonstration was an exploding bomb which had been placed under a car parked where children were playing, resulting in many injuries and the gas main afire.
The overall organiser of the festival Mrs Winnie Jordan , of the East Belfast Community Council, is vice-president of East Belfast Combined Division.
MRS. ENID JACKSON
KNIGHTS and CADETS
Mrs Enid Jackson Serving Sister, member of the St. John Review Board and joint President of Holborn Combined Division, died in hospital on August 5 after a short illness Mrs. Jackson was for many years on the staff of Woman magazine to which she was a regular contributor both in her own name and under at least two pen -names. She has given much valuable help and advice as a member of the Review Management Board for the past 10 years, and she will be , greatly missed both in this capacity and by the Division to which she has given so much help and encouragement for a quarter of a century
NATURE
decorations and display in the Eagle Church, Lincoln, for this year's annual serv ic e of the Order of S t. John in Lincolnshire, which was attended by Lord Grey of Naunton, the recently appointed Bailiff of Egle, and foive Knights of the Order, Also at the service were 30 cadets of the newlyformed Nettleham Cadet Division, (Photo: Graham Preston, Lincoln)
B P. Film Library 15 Beaconsfield Road, London, NWlO 2LE has a new film in its excellent Web of Life series called The Living Woodland - 30 minutes of colour,
BENDERS (answers)
CENTENARY
Jersey will be issuing a set of four stamps on June 24 1977 featuring SJ A's work on the island
Cuddles from
On Sunday I went to the family Eucharist at Lusaka's beautiful Anglican Cathedral built about ten years ago in the style of Coventry, and spent several hours in the afternoon with Mr. Raval at the Munda Wan ga zoological and botanica l gardens , where , besides enjoying the animals and scenery (if anyone had told me that I should ever be photographed cuddling a 8-feet sandsnake , I wouldn't have believed them!), we had plenty of time to discuss St. John affairs.
SJA activities
The Brigade has 12 divisions in action in the Lusaka area , 75% of the membership being female, though there is an I8-strong ambulance division consisting entirely of members of the staff of the Ministry of Health. There are at present no divisions in other parts of the country. Last year St. John in Zambia was at rather a low ebb , but this year the Brigade branch has taken on a new lease of life and the number of cases treated on public duty in the first 7 months of 1976 (including 340 cases at the recent 3-day agricultural show) is already five times the 1975 total. They also do quite a number of football and other sports duties at which nursing members participate on an equal footing with men Just at the moment the Association branch is in abeyance, a situation which would be suicidal to the Brigade if it were prolonged , quite apart from the immense opportunities open to St. John for taking part in community welfare and for first aid training in industry (including the copper mines) , on the railways and in other public serv ices, schools and colleges.
During my A-day stay in Lusaka I had several interesting and I hope useful discussions on these matters with Mr Chela and Mr. Raval, as well as a long and friendly phone conversation with Dr. Matumba Bull (until recently Minister of Health and now
AT RANDOM
(cant. from p.217)
Minister of Commerce) and a well-reported interview with the Times of Zambia. I hope it may not be long before a well planned St. John Development programme gets under way and makes a really worth-while contribution to the health , safety and welfare of the community and nation.
Relaxing
From Lusaka I went 200 miles north to Ndola, the chief town of the Copperbelt, for a glorious ten days holiday with my cousins Sue and Johnny Bates. Johnny is sales manager for a firm supplying pharmaceutical and scientific products, and Sue is in charge of a nursery school of up to 35 children aged from 4 to 7 - mostly African , but a few European and Asian. For the past week I've been enjoying almost indescribable laziness , interspersed with sightseeing and pleasant social encounters with people of all races in the community.
Last Sunday I went to the Anglican church in Chifubu township where the celebrant was an English Franciscan (Brother Aidan, SSF) the preacher was an Indian priest and apart from Sue and myself the whole of the packed congregation of at least 200 consisted entirely of Africans of all ages, including quite a large number of men as well as many mothers 'carrying babies on their backs. The service was in the Bemba
language , but easy to follow in a prayer book with English and Bemba printed on facing pages. The unaccompanied singing, like all African singing, w;s lovely, and I've seldom heard anything so beautiful as the Agnus Dei sung in plainsong polyphony to the accompaniment of rhythmic clapping of the hands.
1 he long dry winter is at an end and spring is on the way. Many of the jacaranda trees are already in flower, and their profusion of lilac-purple blossom in avenues along the roadside is quite breath-taking. The bougainvilleas, too, are a riot of glorious colour, some of the loveliest being in the beautifully kept memorial gardens to Dag Hammarskjoeld and his companions, on the spot where their plane crashed while they were on a mission attempting to bring peace to the Congo Republic (now Zaire) in September 1961 . Apart from the spring flowers, everywhere looks very brown and dry: there has been no rain at all for 5 months and yet there is absolutely no shortage of water for domestic, garden and farm use, which seems almost incredible to anyone coming out from England this year! Nowhere else in Africa have I seen so many ant-hills as there are round here; many of them are at least 12 feet high with odd -looking pinnacles on top, and the older ones overgrown with bushes and scrub. In places where they're dotted only a few yards apart over a wide expanse of rather barren bush -land they look like pictures of the landscape in some fictional book of space travel.
Moving on
In two days time my holiday must end, and I shall be going on for brief visits of a few days each to St. John in Malawi , Tanzania and Kenya , and am due back home long before you read this. Perhaps I shall find something to tell you about these visits next month.
KNOW YOUR
The use of projec:ted material to
AUDIO VISUAL AIDS
MA TERIAL of value in first aid and allied training exists in the following form: 16mm films. 35mm film strips. Film sliLes. 8mm film loops. Overhead projector transparencies. Tape/slide presentations.
16mm FILMS - SOUND CINE
Educational circles formerly held the opinion that cine film could flot stand alone as a teaching medium; it was thought to require the complementary services of the teacher to amplify, explain and relate. Although the services of an instructor are still highly desirable, many cases are on record of the successful resuscitation from and other such casualties, where the sole instruction received by the rescuer had been the single viewing of a film on that subject; it is believed, therefore, that providing the film is of sufficient quality and the commentary authoritative, 16mm sound film is a powerful teaching aid. However, if film can be introduced before exhibition by a qualified instructor, and a discussion held after viewing, its value as a teaching tool is much enhanced.
It is a surprising fact that there are over 800 filr.1 libraries In the United Kingdom distributing documentary and training films of this gauge; some material is available with direct reference to first aid and a great many films are available for loan or hire that have peripheral interest to first aid and specific interest to allied fields.
16mm colour films are not cheap to acquire -a half-hour film would cost a minimum of £180 and for that reason it is customary for film libraries to loan or hire out single copies for specific single exhibitions. ' Where libraries supply sponsored films on free loan the exhibitor is required to pay onJy return postal charges of the print; other libraries supply prints free but make a booking charge to cover incidental expenses - usually £2.50 to £10 per exhibition.
Given the availability of 16mm sound projection equipment, the cost of a 16mm sound film exhibition is within the reach of even the smallest St. John unit; and naturally, younger members will be conditioned to this standard of instruction and expect to find it used in St. John.
For those units without 16mm film projectors, the Local Education Authority,
228
Hospital Board, large commercial organisations and the Services are suggested sources fer loaning equipment.
Advantages
The majority of trallllllg visual aid material is produced for this medium. Powerful audience impact. It is possible to show motion, graphics and also far locations. Given availability of equipment, running costs are minimal. Length of film permits detailed subject examination.
Disadvantages
Capital cost of 16mm projectors is high.
A blacked-out auditorium is desirable. Film proceeds at the pace of the producer and commentary is geared to the average viewer.
Examples of film material available Don't Let Him Die. Colour 25 mins. (To St. John members only).
, This Admiralty produced film, an award winner, is highly recommended - it teaches the necessity of 'the man in the street' knowing first aid.
Preview hire fee £3 from: Visual Aids Section, St. John Ambulance HQ, 1, Grosvenor Crescent, London, SWIX 7EF.
Emergency Rt;suscitation. Colour 40 mins. (To St. John members only). ·
This film teaches exhaled air resuscitation and closed chest cardiac massage.
Preview hire fee £2 each of 4 parts from: Visual Aids Section; St. John Ambulance HQ.
Give Him Air. Colour 18 mins. (Tp St. John members only).
This film demonstrates the necessity of casualties 'getting air' until trained help arises.
Preview hire fee £3 from: Visual Aids Section, St. John Ambulance HQ.
Cold Can Kill. Colour 35 mins. (To St. John members only).
To make known symptoms and conditions under which hypothermia can occur.
Preview hire fee £3 from: Visual Aids Section, St. John Ambulance HQ.
Prices quoted in this article may have increased sinee the material was prepared.
support first aid training PART ONE
Save That Life. Colour 7 mins.
A brief exhortation to learn the art of emergency resuscitation.
Booking fee £ 1 from: Visual Aids Section, St. Jolm Ambulance HQ.
Wounds and Bleeding. Colour 38 mins. Free loan,
Illustrates first aid techniques and procedures for internal and external bleeding.
From: National Coal Board. (Address below)
Fragile Cargo. Colour 21 mins.
Illustrates methods of removing casualties from accident situations.
Booking fee 50p from: National Dock Labour Board.
Handle Him With Care
This Admiralty produced film, an award winner, shows that casualties must be treated gently.
Preview hire fee £3 from: Visual Aids Section, St. John Ambulance HQ.
Principal Film Libraries
The British Medical Association, Film Library, B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, London WC IH 9JP (01-378 4499).
The Rank Film Library, P.O. Box 70, Great West' Road, Brentford, Middlesex (01-568 9222).
The Services Kinema Corporation, Chalfont Grove, Narcot Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks . (02-407 4461).
The Central Film Library Government Building, Bromyard Avenue, Acton, London W3 (01-73Ll. 5555).
The National Audio, Visual Aids Library, Paxton Place, Gypsy Road, London, S.E.27
The National Dock Labour Board, 22/6 Albert Embankment, London SEI (01 -755 7271).
The National Coal Board, Hobart House, Grosvenor Place, SWIX 7AE (01 - 235 2020).
It is always advisable to offer dates well in advance of play-date when booking films; it is essential that all exhibited films be returned to the appropriate authority the day following exhibition.
35mm FILMSTRIPS
Filmstrips are lengths of 35mm filmstock upon which are printed (side by side in the case 0f double frame and vertically, or one the other, in the cas e of single frame) still pictures to illustrate chosen subject matter in pre cselected sequences.
Filmstrips are usually supplied together , with lecture notes in numbered paragraphs corresponding to numbers on the frame of the strip; most strips contain about 30 to 35 frames or pictures. The picture is usually changed by the lecturer manually by winding on the filmstrip carrier or should he desire to face the class, by an assistant.
Advantages
Low cost. Simplicity of operation. Flexibility - the lecturer can proceed at a speed suitable to class. Durability.
Disadvantages
A black-out is often necessary, although modern Tungsten Halogen lamps and silver screen reduce this necessity. Unless an assistant is available the lecturer cannot face his class while operating machine.
Examples of filmstrip material available
British Transport Filmstrips (single frame)
BT 1113, Burns, Po sons and Miscellaneous Conditions, B & W 6 [ Frames, £2.00.
BT 1110, Dressings and Bandages B & W, 72 Frames, £2.00
BT 1107 Emergency Resuscitation , B & W 68 Frames £2.00. '.
BT 1108 , Fractures Part I B & W , 53 Frames, £2.00.
BT 1109 , Fractures Part II , B & W 69 Frames £2 00
BT 1 [11, Transport of Injured Persons B & W , 84 Frames £2.00.
BT II [2 , Applied First Aid B & W 41 Frames, £2.75. I'lT 10 11 , First Aid Competitions B & W , 6 [ Frames, £2.75.
BT 1114 , Wounds and Bleeding Part I B & W , 62 Frames £2. 7 5.
BT 1115 Wounds and B eed ing Part II, B & W 47 Frames, £2.75
BT 1116 Proced ure at Road Accidents , B & W 5 I Frames, £2.75
All prices in clusi ve of V.A T Applications for purchase should be made to: British Transport Films, Melbury House, Melbury Terrace London NWI 6LP (01262 3232 - Mr. H. Sayers).
Other Sources of Material
Educational PI;oductiofls Ltd East Ardsle y, Wakefield Yorkshire (0924 87 -3251)
Camera Talks Ltd , 31 N orth Row (Park Lane) , London WIR 2EN (01-493 2761)
Rank Audio Visual Ltd , P O Box 70 , Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex (01-560 0762 / 3).
Diana Wyllie Ltd , 3 Park Road , Baker Street London NWI 6XP (01 -723 7333).
Central Film Library Government Building , Bromyard Avenue, Acton, London W3 75B (01-743 5555).
SLIDES
Although filmstrips are still in use the 2
inch slide has now assumed the position of the basic visual aid; it is usually a colour (sometimes black and white) transparency (35mm) mounted on a cardboard mount. For greater durability, mounts may be of plastic with cover glasses.
Image size: double frame 24mm x single frame 24mm x I8mm.
A modern expedient is to cut up a filmstrip and mount each fraine separately and use as slides. Both double and single frame mounts are easily obtainable. Some modern slide projectors are either of the semi or fully automatic type, using a slide tray or magazine which permits the slide sequence to be pre-loaded and quickly ready for use. This latter type of projector, when used in conjunction with a tape recorder and a slide synchronizer , en?bles a fully automated audio/visual slide lecture to be presented, the slides being changed by an electronic pulse on ' the tape.
Advantages
The best slide projectors have a good light output so total blackout in the classroom is not essential. Some projectors are fitted with remote control cables so enabling operation by the instructor from the front of the class. The use of slides permits easy up-dating of the visual aid by addition or de1etion.
8mm FILM LOOPS
Although the film loop is essentially a short piece of 8mm cinefilm its use is entirely different from that of the 8mm or 16mm film. It is normally between 25ft. and 50ft. in length, joined in a loop. When
completed it is normally enclosed in a cassette which enables it to be used and changed effortlessly and quickly. When in use the loop is continuous, repetitive and , because of its length, concentrated upon a small section of training, often a single concept; its construction offers advantages such as:
With rear projection unit the aid may be used in daylight.
The instructor may maintain visual contact with his class at all time. The versatility of the projector, particularly the single frame stop which enables analysis of a particular skill to be made, combined with the short repetitive characteristics gives a flexible visual aid.
Individual self instruction or recapitulation is possible.
It is ideal for presenting informationwhich has to be learned as a fixed sequence of essentiil actions.
In 8mm single concept film loops the exclusion of irrevelant background material concentrates attention upon skilled technique; animation ana close-up often aid clarity of exposition
Material Available
St. John Ambulance, with S1. Andrew's Ambulance Association and the British Red Cross Society, produced a series of 25 loops on first aid which may be purchased from: Eothen Films Ltd, 70 Furzehill Road, Boreham Wood, Herts.
-In next month's Review the second part of this article will deal with overhead projector transparencies and tape/ slide presenlations.
Trapped hand
A TRICKY INCIDENT AT A MOTORCYCLE
SCRAMBLE THAT NEEDED EXTRA CARE
by David Symes, SRN, ONC, TSWC, Divisional Nursing Offi&er
DURING a motorcycle scramble at which the Wrexham Division was in attendance, an incident involving a male occurred as a result of a (;:allision in thick dust on a bend. Two memhers who were stationed nearby went to his aid. It was discovered that the injured rider fell onto the back of a motor cycle that was lying on its side witry the rear wheel still revolving. The result of this being that the patient's hand became trapped in the chain and driving wheel of the grounded machin€. The members realised that little of value, except reassurance, could be done until the injured hand was released. While one rnem ber offered reassurance and prevented reckless attempts at rescue, the other went for assistance. An Austin Gipsy ambulanc€ with a State Registered Nurse as crew was dispatched from our first - aid post in the G€ntre of the course. A set of tools to release the injured hand was also requested.
Extraction
Upon arrival it was confirmed that further first aid must await extraction. During the process of dismantling, the rear tyre was first deflated to reduce the pressure on the injured hand and arm, the left rear suspension unit was next removed, then the chain split and removed. Entonox was available bl!lt was not used for the following reasons.
1. The patient was directing his own extraction.
2. It would have had to be discontinued during the actual removal of the hand from the machine for fear of damaging an analgesic limb further.
Following extraction the patient's hand was elevated in a sling with a sterile dressing covering the area of wounding. The riding glove on the injured hand was left in place at this time. The patient was then taken in the ambulance to the first-aid post. Haemorrhage was by now controlled from the damaged hand. The patient preferred to sit - this being allowed. A close check was kept on the patient's condition in case ot syncope. Also to ensure that the haemorrhage remained controlled.
tenderness was noted at the wrist Circulation and sensation were noted to be present in the thumb, index finger awdl middle finger. [n the ring finger sensation was absent but cireulation present. T he little fim ger was partially amputated, haemorrhage had ceased. Movement was absent in the hand as a whole. A number eight sterile dressing was applied to the little finger. A well-padded splint was applied to the right arm and the whole limb supported on a pillow. Entonox was now offered and its method of selfadministration explained to the patient. EIiltonox was taken by the patient during removal from the field and during transport to hospital.
At the unit the pa!ient was laid flat and a full examination undertaken. The haemorrhage was well controlled., The patient was conscious and orientated with no history of head injury. He was in obvious pain. Examination revealed no injury to the chest, spine or abdomen. The lower limbs and left hand also being un,injured. The right sleeve was cut out of the patient's jumper. This revealed a large but painless swelling of the mid-shaft humerus, some deformity was also noted. The forearm was extremely tender and deformity was Eloted over the mid-shaft Qf radius and ulna. Next the glove was gently cut off the injured hand, analgesia was not offered so as not to mask the guarding action of pain. On examination
ST. JOH N STORV------
!o hospital
The patient was transported as a stretcher case, the arm elevated on a pillow and supported. Observations were made in case e( reaction to the enton.ox; consciousness was never lost, no ill effects were noted and pain relief was good. Observation of the injured hand revealed no further haemorrhage. Transfer to hospital was made in as smooth a manner as possible to prevent unnecessary pain or dis co mfort. The patient's girl-friend accompanied him to hospital.
On arrival at the hospital , the casualty staff were informed of the findings of our examination, plus as full a history as possible details of treatment given.
Raison d'etre (or why we are here)
MANY years ago, on theatre duty, I was asked to do, for a very autocratic elderly lady, some small thing (I forget whatprobably produce a piece of plaster for a blistered heel, since there is rarely any dire or dramatic occurrence on this particular duty).
The fine old 'military gentleman' type accompanying her tried to give me a halfcrown which I smilingly declined, saying 'I would prefer to keep my amateur status; your than.ks are all the reward necessary.
I can understand that many people dislike being under an obligation so I was not surprised when, in the interval, as they passed me on the way to the Stalls Bar , the old fellow invited me 'to come along and have a drink'. I declined with a grin, saying 'Thank yow, b l!lt I calOlwt drink whilst I'm dressed like this - just in case!
VISUAL AIDS
The SJA Multi Medi a Appraisal Panel, which comprises doctors nurses, jirstaiders and vi s ual a id expe rt s s one oj th e offiCially appointed panels oj th e British Medical Association, lis reviews are also publis hed in the BMA / nforma tion'
The old lady fixed me with a cold, hard stare and said 'Are you one of those tiresome people too proud to accep t a, tip?'
She gave a snort of shocked affront (but her escort laughed heartily) when I replied , 'Madam, as the girl said to the sailor, "I don't do this for money - I do it for love! " '. - JACK
Editor: The Review is always interested in funny, touching or unusual St. John sto ries.
YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER?
(16mm. Col. 6 mins.) Hire fee
Distributed by: Millbank Films, Thames House North, Millbank, London SWIP 4QG.
Content: This film deals with industrial housekeeping; It shows that one third of all industrial accidents may be attributed to untidiness , slack working habits or plain carelessness.
Appraisal: This is an excellent safety film that puts its point of view across with a punch; it is lucid, interesting and entirely convincing. Strongly recommended.
Audience: All connected with industrial safety; very useful to SJ A industrial fir s -aiders.
IF ONE GREEN BOTTLE
(l6mm. Col. 16 mins.) Hire fee
Distributed by: Millbank Films (address above)
Content: This industrial safety film is intended for management training in the field of safety. It is based on the premise that safe working can be only when. managers from boardroom to shop floor are prepared to bring the right attitude to safety.
The film is set in a factory making glass containers and in a courtroom where the company is defending an action for damages brought by an injured employee. Examination and cross -exa mination by counsel reveal not only events leading up to the accident but also' the attitudes of the company and its managers towards safety.
Appraisal: This is an excellent industrial safety film that well could improve industrial safety consciousness. It is a splendidly-made film with a logical storyline that wraps its message in a convincing plot. Strongly recommended
Audience: All industrial audiences including industrial first-aiders.
START FROM SCRATCH
(l6mm. Col. 24 mins.) Free Loan
Distributed by: Central Film Library, Govt. Building, Bromyard Ave., Acton, London W3 7JB.
Content: This film shows animal parasites and the attendant danger to health.
Appraisal: This is an interesting film that deals quite ably with a specific topic within the field of health education; it is simple and clear.
The life cycle of cat fleas is shown in excellent cinematography
Not all cat lovers appreciate the grooming necessary for their pets and all-in-all this film is of great interest.
,
Audience: Universal but specifically for cat owners.
Content: When babies are born the first thing they do is cry - why do they not simply breathe? Is it that they are suffering?
Appraisal: Our old friend Synopsis describes this film as a filmed poem of great beauty; it endeavours to show that shock and suffering are not necess ary at childbirth. H is a film of French origin, photographed in black and white with a sound-track of child crying noise, etc, but no commentary. Whilst the panel sympathises with the view-point the film endeavours to suggest the film per se is more or less meaningless. Audience: Not recommended.
CURIOSITY THAT KILLED THE CAT
(I6mm. 30 mins.) Hire Fee: £10
Distributed by: British Films Ltd, 95 Dean Street, London WI.
Content: This film , produced for the National Anti -Vivisection Society, shows the s uffering of not just rats and mice but dogs , cats , s he ep and mon keys and suggests that alternative experimental measures such as computers and cell culture are available. It calls for a reduction in animal use and development of alternative techniques.
Appraisal: This film has won an Award as the Best Specialised Film of the Year. As a piece of film -craft it is excellent, visually exciting, interesting and thoroughly disturbing.
Howeve r , the film wears its heart on its s leeve and fails to be dispassionate; it s how s only one side of the coin; surely the obverse, i.e. advance s in medical science, production of up -to-date drugs, must be taken into account.
Audience: General public but specifically anti-vivisectionists.
I BOOKS
EMERGENCY AND ACUTE CARE by A. J. Harding Rains, K. W. Reynolds and Valerie Hunt Hodder and Stoughton, £3.95, Unibook Edition £1.95
Thi s excellent publication recognises the continuous role of first aid , nursing and medicine in the emergency situation and while primarily concerned with hosp ita l care can be read with advantage and interest by all.
The text is logicall y set out ; first five short chapters on diagnosis are full of pr act ical hints of considerable value The next section on treatment gives clear step-by-step advice and instruction and the last section deals with the various body systems.
The whole book is characterised by excellent diagrams and illustrations which enhance the clarity of the text. On page 50 the old adage 'If you rest on your laurels , your laurels will rest on you' is very apposite.
The only criticisms your reviewer has is of the illustration of mouthto -mouth resuscitation (Figure 19.2 on page 140) which shows the necl< hyper-extended, the lack of any mention of industrial poisoning on page 157 and the specific treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning on the same page.
But these are small blemishes in an otherwise excellent book which can be recommended
R. McL. Archibald
FIRST AID IN PICTURES
by Dr. Robert Andrew, Wolfe Publishing Ltd., £1.25
The semi-monopoly enjoyed by the combined St. John-BRCS-St. Andrew's manual makes it particularly necessary to ask to whom any new book is aime d , and in this case it is not quite c1€ar. It sets out to be a basic guide in pictures, and achieves this purpose quite well; it makes little attempt to explain reasons. On the other hand , it advises much more active intervention than we accept, including the packing of a bleeding nose; it counsels brushing foreign bodies off the eyeball, but gives no warning to keep off the cornea.
The coma position is well done, as is a cut throat. The book recommends a tourniquet to control bleeding from the stump of a seve red limb whilst bandaging, w hich seems a good idea to me. Arterial bleeding is pretty terrifying both to see and hear.
The diagrams are lively and eye -catching and, in most cases very c lear. With this book, however , as with our own , I do wish that someone would take the trouble to draw fractures from actual X-rays, a nd injuries from life or photographs.
This is an interesting book might well attract the eye of a novice and awaken his interest. At £ 1.25 it is a little expensive for this.
R .H P.
from Bruce T. Brown, Lay
Instructor
PR-CHAT (Review, June and July) is very interesting and must be of use to divisions considering a hard publicity drive next year, but I have some reservations which I feel should be voiced.
Warwickshire County must be congratulated on the use they have made of the facilities offered to them at the Royal Show. They achieved an excellent combination of projection demonstration and static display, but it was spoilt by one small, though not discrete , notice telling the public that they were looking at the latest St. John publicity material. A successful advertising campaign does not need to draw attention to the fact that it is trying to influence people.
I am very interested in Emergency ' Aid but am critical of the methods used by Headquarters to promote courses. For example, the A4 format poster, with three photos and long text, contains so much detail that many people will turn away from it assuming they notice it in the first place, which is doubtful. If proof is in the reading , HQ publicity department must by now have red faces for passing a document with a spelling mistake in the key information! I must assume that the text was not interesting enough to retain even their attention. (Maybe the notice is clever gim.mick to- advertise crash courses in undertaking?)
At a recent course I conducted some market research - a useful exercise to assess the value of different publicity techniques. It s just as well I did, !Jecause one member had responded to an official press advert which asked four questions on aspects of first aid not included in the EA course instructors' briefing. Obviously there had been a lack of liaison somewhere.
This far you will notice my lack' of confidence in some of Headquarter's publicity material and I would advise divisions contemplating a publicity campaign not to swallow PR-Chat hook , line and sinker - that could be painful if not counter productive. With publicity , as most other good things, you can have too much. In conclusion I would draw readers attention to the final paragraph of the June article - 'get chatting about publicity' It ' s only by chatting that you come up with ideas. But don't toss apparently idiotic ideas out of the window too quickly. Latch on to something outrageous and throw it around a bit. For something good might be developed from it. '
Sutton Coldfield Bruce T. Brown
Editor: The reason I used the title PR -CHA T for a regular page or two on publicity is that contributions, ideas, etc, should come from all directions, ie chatting. It is not the exclusive domain of Headquarters. I don't expect anyone to swallow PR-CHAT hook , line and sinker. It is to provide information, ideas, what other people are doing, what material is available - and so (hopefully) stimulate those who are thinking about publicity.
LAUGHS FROM DOWN UNDER from J. Peter Bush, Commissioner
I was much entertained and interested in the cartoon headed 'competition time', June Review. Having recently undertaken the organisation of the Australian Championships for Nursing Divisions in Melbourne, the Victoria District staff meeting was considerably entertained when this was read to them.
I enclose an action photograph of the commencement of the team first aid test in the Australian Championships held on June 26 in the presence of His ExceIlency the Governor General of Australia Sir John Kerr.
The test instructions read: 'The team are attending Station XY 4 to view the recording of a TV show. They are sitting in the front row when the camera (right hand camera) explodes. The cameraman is injured, sustaining burns to his face and hands, a penetrating injury of his eye, and fractured ribs on the left side.
'The announcer sustains a laceration to the palm of his right hand from flying fragments and has severe haemorrhage in this hand. He
READERS VIEWS
The te am test for nursi n g d iv isi o ns at he Australian c hampionshi ps goes with a bang. See letter LAUGHS FROM DOWN LINDER
Readers' views and opi nions, which shouid be sent t o the Editor, although published are not necess ar ily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John a nd its Found ation s. Although readers may sig n published etters with a pen -n ame, writers must supply their name and address to the editor also suffers a fractured clavicle.
'There is a telephone available in the studio. This is connected to the television station's switchboard.'
The photograph shows clearly the TV camera exploding in the foreground and the nursing members on the point of moving into action.
The Governor General and Lady Kerr can be seen in company with the Chief Commissioner , Colonel C. D. Donald and the Chancellor Sir George Stening and Lady Stening sitting in the front row beyond the team.
Melbourne J. P. Bush
ANCIENT FIRST AID
from D. Little, Ambulance Member
I would like to recommend a book to those members who are interested in the history and development of techniques used in first aid and surgery today.
The book is entitled The Healing Hand; Man and the Wound in the Ancient World by Guido Majno, published by the Harvard Universi ty Press, 1975.
The author unfolds, in an absorbing style how man from the earliest times has fulfilled his desire to relieve the suffering of his fellow man
(QUEMCUNQUE MISERUM VIDERIS HOMINEM SCIAS). A rationale of progress can be seen to thread its way through the medical practices of physicians in the ancIent Mediterranean and Arabian civilisations of Mesop ota nia, Egypt, Greece, Arabia, Alexandria and Rome The parallel development of the somewhat isolated Easte rn Civilisations of India and China are also described in detail. It is interesting to learn that splints were used for fractures by the SWMW of Egypt in 3500BC and that t h e Greek IATROS had slings (SPHEND6NE) for emergency use and also developed sophisticated roller bandaging techniques The application of direct pressure and elevation were advocated by Galen, a Medicus, who developed his first aid techniques at the gladitorial arena of Pergamon. The rea son for this technique is obvious to us as we understand the circulation of the blood in the body, but when Galen practised this emergency treatment on the gladiators there was still 1500 years to elapse before Harvey discovered this principle of blood circulation in the seventeenth century.
While many treatments were applied by the Ancients for purely mystical or oblique reasons , such as the application of copper compounds to wounds in Egypt, the author finds by practical experiments that in a majorit y of cases these medicative compounds had germicidal effects
The Healing Hand covers a period of medical development that ha s, from a lay man's point of view, been neglected in comparisc)fl with the scientific of the Renaissance and the subsequent This fact alone makes Healing Hand an invaluable reference work.
Knebworth , Herts. D. Little
SHOCKING THEATRE DUTIES
fr9m Lady Browne, Superintendent-in-Chief
The questi'on of Brigade attendance at 'distasteful' entertainments , raised in Mrs. P. McClintock's letter (August Review) was discussed at Brigade Headquarters in 1971 when 'Oh Calcutta and 'The Council of Love' first qppea.red in Lo'ndon. The Commissioner and District Superintendent, London District, were members of the working party. The resulting recoml1)endations, approved by the Lord Prior of St. John, may be summarised as follows:
A. It is the of St. John to render first aid to the sick and injured at all times. This must be unconditional , and however distasteful the circumstances, it is our duty to accept a request for first aid cover, and not to refuse it.
B. It is quite wrong to introduce an y element of censorship into first aid
C. The right of individual members to decline a duty must however be strictly respected.
D. Where necessary , it should be made clear to the press , etc , that the presence of St. John members does not signify that St. John condones the entertainment provided.
It should be added that no member on duty at an entertainment is compelled to watch it. It is usually possible to find a position from which to watch the audience rather than the stage. It would however be dangerous for a member to remain outside the auditorium as it takes time to get accustomed to the darkness when called to a casualty.
Mrs. McClintock is rightly concerned that yo unger member s should be protected. Her suggestion that theatrical productions should be 'coded ' like films would be logical although the knowledge that certain plays are PQrnographic becomes known only too easily! In this ' connection, Brigade General Regulation 107 states: 'Discretion must be exercised in the type of duty to which cadets are detailed .' Under the SIiilil1e Regulation, no member or cadet may be detailed for duties at theatres , cinemas or other places of entertainment where admission is restricted to persons over his/her age. Headquarters Mo y ra Browne
from E. J. Baker, Ambulance Member
I think Mrs. P. McClintod is worrying herself too much about her presence on theatre duty, 'apparently condoning pornography ', and 'that the audience may be gaining a very false impression 6f our Order.'
I wonder if true experiences of my own would help her achieve a more philosophical outlook. At the end of the Second World War I shared an office with one other technical civil servant wh.o was one rung higher on the promotion ladder than I was. He had what many of us thought was an unusual curiosity about the private and personal affairs of the staff under him; amongst other things he found it hard to believe that anyone would do 'aught for naught' and, often in lunch time breaks, would try to score a point with our table-compariions by proving that, for example, membership of St. John was not so altruistic as some folk pretended. (On one occasion he took out pencil and paper and said, 'Now, come on, Jack, admit it. You do get something out of it; take your uniform, for example, how much would that have cost?' I was able to answer with a grin 'a ,lot more than the suit you are wearing, as it should since mine was Made to Measure, Anyway I paid the bill myself!' (Giving a Roland for an Oliver is perilous sport in the Civil Service - but it's better than getting duodenal ulcers,) However, to get back to the main theme , one day I filled in a Leave Chit asking for two days of my annual leave to be granted for a week or so away, and, as a complete formality - since there was no restriction on leave , 'subject to the exigencies of the Service, etc' - passed it across the desk for 'onward transmission', The usual enquiry started and , although of course there is no requirement to state what the leave is required for, I blithely responded, explaining that I would be at Bath Races. A day or so after I resumed duty a Civil Servant a couple of rungs higher, who was renowned for being a member of a very strict, shall we say peculiar, religious sect, strode into the office and demanded to know where I had been during my absence and when I said 'following the gee-gees but I forgot to bring my bucket and shovel ' roundly criticised me for 'Implementing the works of Satan!' I listened open-mouthed and when he had run out of breath I said' A mC?nth ago I did public duty at a large religious revival and I did not think that was any more special than this. You see its the crowd and its possible needs not the cause that governs public duty attendance' Another anecdote, if you can stand it - equally true! I used to stand against the wall on Theatre Duty watching the audience filing into the seats and grinning to myself to think how in 'my cloak of invisibility' I was not recognised even by close workassociates u ntil one day, after a couple I had known sin ce schooldays had passed without recognising me, the wife glanced back over her shoulder and, eyes bright with saucy merriment, edged back and said 'Ha ha, so this is what you do to get into the theatre without paying!' I could not resist saying, 'Had your old man known he would have joined years ago,' and, do you know, a lifelong acquaintance withered on the spot.
No, Mrs. McClintock, no one in the audience can despise you for being there; after all, duty took you there byt they PAID to witness such rubbish. I don't feel we can insist on censoring the play and, for myself, as the veteran and doyen of Theatre Duty in this city with no passionate love of the Arts or Drama, I wouldn't mind a quid for the hours I've discreetly dozed away in the end seat of the back row And you must allow other people to have different standards, even other divisional members. I imagine you could easily get a 'stand-in' for a play expected to be 'near the knuckle'. I was not even mildly angry when on two recent occasions, one because a tremendously-important VIP was attending and the other because a troup of African natives were doing tribal dances TOPLESS, divisional members drew lots as to who should attend - and my name didn't even go into the hat!
('You are old, Father William, the young man said .').
No, dear fellow divisional member, in these days in trn.eatre and cinema, 'one man's fish is another man's poison'. Because the others couldn't, I covered recently four afternoon shows of The Exorcist and dozed all through. You see I heard worse language than that as a
teenage apprentice in Devonport Dockyard.
So keep a stiff upper lip and your smelling salts handy. Wear YOur St. John uniform as a saintly armour but remember it takes all so rt s to make a world and our brothers and sisters who like a naughty play are all part of the Hominum we are prepared to serve.
Bath Jack Baker
from S. P. Kelly, Ambulance Member
Thank you Mrs. McClintock (August Review) for discovering yet another aid to our ever enthusiastic endeavours 'P ro UtiIitate Hominum'.
Now not only can we continue to serve our benefactors at random all the missing dates on any good duty sheet lately?) but are relieved of that awful drudgery of having to di scove r for ourselves if the production of our choice is noisy, quiet, pornographic, etc. If it really is so bad we can surely speak up for ourselves already and sit in the foyer or theatre waiting area.
Perhaps the Commissioner-in-Chiefs suggestion (Foundation Conference, 1976) that we should abandon such duties altogether is not such a bad idea after all. A Division such as mine (combinedouter London) would then be relieved of 95% of its duties and could keep itself fresh and clean to bid for just those lo ve ly 'Roya l occasions, and look forward to all those exciting training days, inspections chl:lfch parades , quizzes and competitions that we now have to squeeze into odd moments of our timetable. After all 'Pro Utili tate St. John' is much more useful and less demanding than all those 'Hominums' (except on collection days of course).
Should, however , London District accept the task of coding duties I am sure that our members would be very pleased to contribute. We specialise in long boring ballet, light beautiful ballet contemporary Royal Shakespeare, Shakespearean Royal Shakespeare, Promenade Concerts, all-in wrestling, loud Thin Lizzie concerts, very loud Osmond concerts, comedies, tragedies , musicals, U, A, AA X films, etc, but perhaps we are a bit too fussy to be considered.
LONG PAST are the days when St. John went on duty by bus or bicycle , with members carrying their personal first - aid box. At some duties there may have been the odd stretcher or two with the St. John prayer that the worst that could happen would be the odd faint, but with a little blood spilt to give interest to the duty!
Rarely were there injuries as encountered , today, such as 'cr ush injuries', 'stove-inchest ', 'w hip frac tures of the neck' , 'breathing failures' and even the risk of bombs.
Duties undertaken by St. John today have altered completely with changes in sport , which are now bigger events, and frequently oC'cur at a much faster pace. Crowds have also become larger , sometimes in the 50,000 to 60,000 region. They have also become more violent with stabbings, split heads, mugging and drug taking, all of which l1).ake injuries more serious and complicated.
The general public and organisers of events have seen on TV or in use at hospitals and by ambulance services, the modern equipment that is available, all of 'which outdates the St. John member who turns up at an incident with his little black box, and perhaps a triangular bandage or two trailing from his pocket.
Members of the public have the right to expect that St. John divisions will have modern equipment and well-trained member s who are capable of doing more than applying the odd plaster.
UPDATING SJA
,N otas compiled from a report on duty cQver by Abingdon Division
Patient s howed sig ns of air-hunger, becoming cyanosed
Case No, 3
Casualty confused, unable to raise right leg seve re s hock. Rapid diagno sis - fractured right le g and concussion.
Cases Nos. 4 , 5 & 6
These did nQt appear serious, and all were able to si t up. No.4 was quiet , holding the left arm to the side with the head inclined slight ly to the same side - fractured collar bone? Nos. 5 & 6 were sent to mobile F.A unit for treatment, while No.4 was sent to hospital in the second ambulance.
Immediate action for casualties Nos. 1, 2 & 3
Case No, 1:
Loaded into ambulance in coma position, with head well forward; breathing was difficult - casualty put on oxygen.
Case No.2:
Loaded in a propped-up sitting position.
Arms strapped to to give support, and pain and breathing difficulties relieved by the use of Entonox equipment.
Casualty No. I stopped breathing on two occasions on the way to hospital, but restarted by Steven's Minuteman resuscitator. Hospital informed by radiotelephone team awaiting arrival. Instant diagnosis by doctor connrl1)ed condition , and casualty rushed to resuscitation room as breathing had stoppe d again; restarted by hospital staff,
Casualty No. 2 taken to intensive care unit.
Overall results
Two casualties admitted to intensive care unit. One to orthopaedic ward. One discharged after treatment. And two treated in mobile F A. unit at duty site.
Summing-up
It is certain that had the Division not had the right equipment, and, more important, its members trained to use it, the day would have ended on a sad note. This fact was made clear in a letter of thanks to Divisional Headquarters by a member of the family of one of the casualties.
St. John Di visions must have the best equipment possible, and the training of members must be to a high standard.
Personal note
S. p, Kelly
Are we so very unusual among the divisions of London? I can not believe SQ. Variety of interest and opportunity will entice and retain our useful members, not the easy option of abandoning entire areas of our work simply because groups within St. John seem to have lost the spirit of what we stand for and the gumption to get up and do something to maintain it within their Division/Area/District, etc. London, N.12
TRAPPED BY SEAT BELT
from Kenneth W. Cutting
The article Coping with a Crash (June Review) is very good. There is not , howe ver, any mention of how to deal with who are still in their seat belts, suspended like bats , with their car lying on its ,roof.
Should they be unconscious, and with possible spinal injuries, if they were not removed from their seat belts quickly they could be asphyxiated by the fact that all their body weight is against the seat belt, which in turn does not allow the respiratory muscles to function effectively.
May I enquire how to deal with this situation?
Norwich Kenneth Cutting
The Deputy Chairman of the Medical Board replies: It would seem most unlikely that a casualty suspended from a seat belt in an overturned car would asphyxiate because of the pressure of tlae belt. It would clearly need a large number of helpers to support the casualty while the seat belt was unfastened and the casualty extracted with due care of any injury .
Here's a typical example why , a modern St. John is necessary. The scene was a grass track motor-cycle race meeting iast Easter Monday.
A modern motorised mobile first-aid unit was at this event and was able to deal with ten minor cases under aseptic conditions. If the unit had not been there four of these would have had to be taken to hospital, and their families had their day spoiled.
Further, during the afternoon three sidecar motor-cycles collided at a speed of about 70 to 80 mph, resulting in a horrifying pileup with six casualties.
The central area F.A. teams were the first to go into action, and found three of the six casualties in a serious condition; three arms went up indicating the number of serious cases, and two ambulances were despatched to back up the teams, and a senior officer took control. Information was passed to him regarding the condition of the casualties.
Case No. 1
Casualty unconscious , face and neck blue, veins prominent, pupils pinpointed, pulse fast (100 plus), breathing poor, fractured collarbone. Rapid diagnosis - fractured skull with . compression.
Transport to hospital Brigade ambulances were used, as calling the County Ambulance was impossible in this situation and would have meant a long dela y. BACKDATING.
on the left in bowler hat and ho ld in g an ornate casket is not, I m told, the local undertaker waiting in the wings but the instruct or, Notice th e SJAB badge worn on the
Evidence such as this proves that money spent on ambulances, equipment and training is not wasted. We must aim for a better and more up-to-date St. John. We have been second-rate for too long. I say this with no apologies, but as one who has seen it all, over some forty years of membership. Fortunately, the s ituation is fast changing.
NEWS from SCOTLAND
THE Scottish priory welcomed two groups of St. John cadets during August. On the 11 th, about 30 young people from Denny in Stirlingshire, along with their officers and families, called at the chancery, where they were entertained with light refreshments and were shown over the building by the Chancellor and the Priory-Secretary. Before they left they gathered in the chapter room for prayers led by their leader Mr. D. Watson Law. They made presentations to the Chancellor and the staff at the priory before going on to see the St. John exhibition at the Tolbooth. And on the 18th, 60 officers and cadets from Cumbria, who were staying at a camp-site in the of Ayton Castle, the home of Mr. D. I. LiddellGrainger, a knight and member of chapter, were given lunch of 'bridies', meat pies and pudding with soft drinks, before touring the chancery and the St. John exhibition.
J.R-S Soccer hooliganism in South Africa. Johanrlesbur<@ Orlando Nursing Divisi€ln member Alitalia Mabaso treats a
N. IRELAND
Londonderry Area Commissioner T. A. Smallwoods (above) presenting Special shields to cadet Sgts. Celine Gallagher and Margaret McGowan at the recent annual - inspection of Londonderry nursing cadets. With them is ASO (Cadets) Mrs. S. Munday and their Divisional Superintendent F. McFadden.
Mr. McFadden who is acting supt. and recently became a Serving Brother, is 73 years old and runs the division, which has 45 members , singlehanded. Shortage of officer s is the problem. The division's success at the recent area competitions means they represent Londonderry at the N. Ireland District Finals Good luck girls!
A mobile eye unit (photo above) was recently presented to the South African National Council for the Blind by The Priory for South Africa. The unit, known as the St. John Eye Unit, was paid for out of the
CANADA
Merseyside cad ets and their officers (see Sept. Review p 197) with their hosts while visit ng the St John Ambulance HQ , Toronto Canada (L to R) Dr la n Ma ckay, CS t J CD, Provincial Surgeon ; Joy Price Lis c ard Divisi o n; Susan Russell , Supt. Wallasley Cadet (N) Division; Karen Jones, Wallasley; Karen Salisbury Sg t, Liscard; Debbie Shannon, Wa l lasley; Rosemary Richards Liscard ; Gladys Huntley, Div. Supt Liscard Cadet (N ) Division; Sandra Cordingley, Toronto Cadet (N ) Corp s Supt a nd Wayne Cotgreave, Toronto Cadet (A) Corps Supt
Priory s Ophthalmic Fund and will be used among the Bantu community of Transvaal. The unit was dedicated by the Prior, WNO said that this was an example of how, in these times, one organisation could work with another in carrying out similar duties instead of duplicating a service.
From SJA Guernsey to London
by Judith Moore
ON THE Sunday I first came to London nearly two years ago , I was walking through unfamilia 4 Hyde Park feeling rather homesick, when I saw familiar black and white uniforms and ambulances. I went up and spoke to the peop-\e and soon I was a member of a London Division Now I run a Cadet Division, am messing about in boats with the Thames Division , am always out on duties or at meetings and, most important, I've made dozens of friends! There is something about SJA members - it doesn't matter where you are, you need only introduce yourself and you ll get a friendly welcome. I know people all over Britain who I have met through St. John; I advise anyone moving from one area to another to contact a local Division - then they'll make lots of new friends and have so much to do that they will have no excuse to feel homesick.
Comparing London with Guernsey , the most noticeable thing is the enormous range and number of duties available. It is much easier for cadets to gain Special Service awards. Dut ies range from welfare and hospital duties to freezing in the rain at a football match or a demonstration, Forom a quiet West End theatre with only two people on' duty to an hysterical pop concert with over a hundred members on duty.
There are roughly three groups of dl,lties. Firstly , the regular local ones which are the mainstay of the division. Our Division every week covers the local ice rink (where there are always lots of injuries) the local hospital, a cycle track and, during the season, Lords cricket -ground. Then there are the small public duties, such as the theatres, which are covered by all the divisions in · London District in turn. Finally there are the large public duties where many divisions mar. first aid posts, each with an am bulance, over the area of the duty , and if necessary line the route. I have been on several of these - Trooping the Colour, Lord Mayor's Show, Remembrance Sunday in Whitehall, Biggin Hill International Air Show , pop cOJ1certs and international rugby matches at Twickenham. There may be as many as 300
members and more these duties, and Divisions from neighbouring counties come in to help. It is a wonderful experience to be present at the se event s, but you have to work hard and for lon g hour s ! I have been lucky enough to become a radio operator for London District communications and it is through this that I have attended so many of these occasions The greatest benefit of doing all these duties is that you get so much experience of treating casualties and putting your training to good use. However, I very much miss the transport duties in Guernsey!
I think that gains a great deal from having a Transport Department as voluntary member s can gain valuable experience from such duties; unfortunatel y for St. John , the statutory ambulance services in England are now run almost entirely by the state , so that St. John works ess clo sely in association with the profe ss ional s.
When compared with Guernsey , the vast size of London District is very apparent; it is more impersonal and there is little communication with people outside your own area. On the other hand, a lot more can be arranged in the way of training conferences, courses, competitions , etc, and the cost is much less for travel , etc. Standards of training and methods cannot be so uniform , as London District is divided into five Areas, each divided into Corps. Our Corps is one of three and has 15 Divisions 6 more than Guernsey! This creates more opportunities for promotion. The structur e of Areas and Corps brings many complications and also a lot of red tape; the proportion of staff officers to members, for instance, t ends to become top-heavy and makes things more impersonal. How different from Guernsey where everybody knows everbody else!
In soite of the many opportunities in London, Guernsey stiil gains in many ways. Whenever I mention Guernsey St. John I am always pleased to hear responses such as 'They re the ones who keep winning the National Finals', or 'They're the ones with the Flying Christine - the mobile radar unit', etc. They know about us!
THE Nelson Transport Combined Division, of Birmingham Area, West Midlands, was asked by the county office to partIcIpate in the International Hospital Equipment and Health Services Exhibition held this summer at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. Our display, which was on Stand 22 together with an NCB Range-Rover ambulance and two huge Portakabins, consisted of our Hanlon Mark III twincot ambulance with most of its equipment laid out on tables , our static artificial respiration cardiac equipment. Two divisional members staffed the display for the 4-day exhibition which attracted several thousand people, most of whom were hospital supplies and ambula nce buyers. We met people from Denmark, Sudan, Ireland , Australia and Nigeria, as well as from ·other countries, and great interest was shown in our ambulance and equipment. If we d been selling, we'd have taken plenty of orders! As it was our ambulance check sheets were in great demand and we passed, on a lot of information about SJ A. Naturally we visited most of the other stands at the exhibition and saw many -new aids to nursing, ' which ranged from disposable utensils to electric wheelchairs and water beds. Most interesting. fWO new pieces of equipment which we acquired for our own mobile first aid unit were a minor burns spray and a very efficient eye bath , with which the patient does not get wet. Anyone interested in details of these items, write to us at 100 Lionel Street Birmingham. I must admit that at first we were very wary about appearing at the exhibition, but now we wouldn hesitate to go again.
P. D. Jones, Div. Supt.
News from
Divisions/Centres
WEYMOUTH
ESSEX Grays Division's am bulance fund was boosted by £600 from a mot orcycle sc r
JERSEY - The ann u a SJA inspection was carried out on June 27, after the annual commemorative serv ice by the LieutGovernor, General Sir Desmond F itzpa tr ick After pre se ntin g Service Medals and bars and eight Grand Prior ' s badges, Sir Desmond congr atu lated the Brigade on a ve r y s mart turnout on such a hot day. 'You h ave been wo rkin g very hard during the week fo r your Rag day collectio n ,' he said 'a nd I under sta nd the amount -is over £6,000. In fact it totalled £6,815. The following ap pointment s were announce d Commande r , Captain A. E. W. McFadyen ERD (formerly Joint Commande r) Com mi ssioner Dr. R. L. Osmont ( formerl y Deputy Commissioner) ; a nd ret ired as Commissioner and Joint Commander , Majo r R. L. Woods. The numb er of Grand Prior's badges awa rded to Jersey nursin g cadets is now 247. A re cord?
(Photo:
REVIEW CROSSWORD No. 10 (76)
Co m p ed by W. A. Po tt er
Across:
1. Chest muscle from parts of torn elastic. (11) 7. Turn pus to drink. (3). 9. Early form of il!1sect life. (5). 10. Part of the sternum articulating with the clavicles. (9). 11. Portray pain temperature. (5). 12. Above normal height. (4). 13. A giant in a state of excited anticipation. (4). 15. Paralysis characterised by rigidity of the affected muscles. (7). 17. Dim male found in a pl:lzzling situation. (7). 19. Preparing food for swallowing and digestion. (7-). 21. Before food a queer pain produces deficiency of carbon dioxide in the blood. (7). 22 Where an anno y ing person causes one to have pain? (4).24. A feature of measles is acting precipitately. (4). 25. Bandage used when firm, even support is required. (5). 27. How the sun's heat reaches earth. (9). 28. Cold and chilly state of extreme prostration. (5) 30. A great many offered for sale at an auction. (3). 31. Can be heard from about the fifth month of pregnancy. (6 5).
Down:
1. Affiicted by disease. (3). 2. Take tube train for bones in the nasal cavities. (9). 3. Respond to stimuli from re -designed crate. (5). 4. Pressure regulating flow of fluid between blood capillaries and tissue spaces. (7). 5. a pleasant, prickly sensatiori. (7). 6. A division of the liver and lungs. (4). 7 Weapon used to support an injured arm. (5). 8. Fruit making one feel somewhat seed y ? (II). 11. Gyrus of brain exhorts one to mail at the main office! (4 - 7) 14. Bone found in painful navel. (4). 16. Th€ part of the pancreas near to the spleen. (4). 18. Fracture of 14 Down with dislocation o f the head of t h e radius. (9). 20. Having a slender physique. (7). 21. Loss of power of speech due to peripheral causes (7) 23. Acted as a junior member of the S.l.A B. (5). 25 Vehicle for trainer of athletes. (5).26. Young part of the leg? (4). 29 . A very small spot. (3).
to Switzerland lakes only about 19 ho urs At each !i:e ntre we emplGY iendly o® mpetent young rre presentatlves who are always on hamd 10 pmvide advice aAd informa1Iion , arrange excursions, and generally make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
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REVIEW
THE JOURNAL
Contents
In the path of St. John, by Theo Ellert p.242
Notting Hill riots p.245
First Aid for the Deaf, by S. F. Aylott p.246
Around and About, by the Editor p.248
At Random, by Watkin W. Williams p.252
PR conference p.253
First Aid - a case for thought, by Surg. Rear Adml. Stanley Miles p.254
How's this for a public duty? p.255
Know your audio visual aids, part 2 p.256
Readers Views p.258
News
News
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HA VING just read the September Review (I've just become ' a new subscriber) I would like to say how refreshingly different the magazine is compared with a few years ago. Just a glance through its pages shows how much the Review has changed, and I think it is very pleasant to see views being expressed freely and with much greater clarity by eminent officers.
However, there is one point I am dubious about. Having read Readers' Views I was most surprised that letters were printed without the writer's real name. I feel that if an officer or member has anything constructive to offer, they should be willing to have their names published. By making your views and grievances known, real progress can be made, and I am sure that all ideas are welcome by everyone, providing they are substantiated. Unfortunately, both letters with pen-names in the September issue are not enforced by facts and examples ' - no wonder they're anonymous! If as a student I presented a thesis without my name, my professor would not take it at all seriously.
I wonder how many officers or members will take up ideas expressed in these letters? Whilst I appreciate the editor knows the identities of these contributors, as far as I am concerned the effectiveness is lost, and perhaps members will be reluctant to take up a valid cause owing to this anonymity.
The views of 'A Northern Female Officer' about seniority on duty are very logical; and if 'Recently Disheartened' feels that way, let your name be known so that the . last line of the letter can be clarified. I am sure other members will echo your feelings and then they will be able to suggest how to tackle the problem with a genuine intention of creating real improvement within our organisation. But perhaps some readers are wondering if the staff who are speaking more openly in the Review are being hypercritical?
This metamorphosis, if genuine, means that there are no circumstances in which one is justified in adopting the 'anonymity syndrome'.
To start the ball-rolling, I am Brinley Thomas, Divisional Officer for Battersea Cadet Division, and if in the next few months I become an ambulance member again owing to my views, I will most certainly write and let you know!
At Random is to be found on page 252 this month. Infuture this first page of the Review will be used to highlight any subject y ou or I feel strongly about. - Editor.
'Yednesday
Soon after miqday on Wednesday, September 8, forty Order of St. John pilgrims met at Terminal 3, London (Heathrow) Airport. Some of the party came from Cambridge, having attended the EnglishSpeaking Union gathering; some came from London; from Europe; while others flew in from the United States of America. By 3.15 pm we were all aboard El Al's sp-acious and comfortable 707 Jumbo jet and than we were off, flying over the Alps, the Adriatic Sea, the Island of Rhodes, and so to our destination - The Holy Land.
In a temperature of 23 0 centigrade, a full moon lit our journey by Mercedes coach from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem where we were greeted on arrival at the magnificent Intercontinental Hotel by the Warden and Chief Surgeon of the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital, Dr. Keith Batten and his wife Pat.
By midnight the travel-welrn party had retired thankfully to the .comfort of their bedrooms: the thought of an early start next morning was just too much to bear!
Thursday
But the brilliant, warm sunshine, the clarity of the morning air on the top of the Mount of Olives and the promise of the day ahead quickly banished all traces of tiredness and, contrary to expectations, a refreshed and happy party met up for bre2.kfast in the hotel's dining room with its massive picture windows commanding one of the most famous views in the world: the ancient walled city of Jerusalem.
OUf first morning was dedicated to the Order of St. John - its past and its present - and our pilgrimage began with a celebration elf Holy Communion in the original underground Chapel of St. John the
INTHE PATH OF
ST. JOHN
A week in The Holy City fo 'r 40 pilgrims
Dr. Keith Batte n, warden of the St. John Ophthalmic H ospita I, @reeting members of the party as they leave the underground crypt of St. John the lBaptist Church
Baptist, where nearly a thousand years ago the first Knights Hospitaller had worshipped The moving service - the first to be conducted in this unused and unadorned chapel for some twenty years - was taken by Canon Edward Every, Chaplain of the Hospital of St. John, assisted by one of our fellow pilgrims, The Rt. Rev. Bishop Horace Donegan, Chaplain and founder member of the American Society of the Order of St. John.
After a glance at the plaque commemorating the previous St. John Pilgrimage of 1926, from the monastry of St. John The Baptist, Keith Batten led us through the busy narrow streets of old Jerusalem to the Muristan Garden, the actual spot where our great Order of charitable chivalry (The Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem) was born in 1099 AD.
Re-boardi·mg our air-conditioned coach -at The Jaffa Gate, on we went to visit the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital. Visitors to our hospital are always moved, impressed and inspired. Our party was no exception. From the peaceful beauty of the Cloister Garden, with its central jacaranda tree and vivid climbing bougainvillaea, we went through the busy Out-Patients Clinic, along the airy corridors to the offices on the first floor and from there to the Childrens' Ward - the major responsibility of the American Society of the Order - where smiling, if pathetic faces turned eagerly to greet their visitors. Who could fail to be captivated by such a scene?
From the newly-establishecl Central Supply Department we went to the Prayer Room for all denominationsMoslems and Christians alike - the altar of which is carved from the oak used by the
Crusaders to restore the Dome of the Rock. Everywhere the Order's 8-pointed Cross is in evidence: on the doors, bedspreads and uniforms.
Everywhere there is light and space, everywhere is spotlessly dean and everywhere there is an aura of dedication to the continuance of the fight against blindness started by the Order of St. John in 1882 , on the Road and transferred in 1960 to this new, modern hospital of St. John in Jerusalem.
Back to the hotel for lunch and, after a welcome 'siesta', our guide, Hassan, showed us more of the Holy City. Leaving our coa ch at St. Stephen's Gate, we visited the Crusader ruins and Church of St. Anne, then along the Via Dolorosa, stopping at the Stations of The. Cross, we entered the Convent of Ecce Homo and descended to the famous pavement where markings from the time of Christ are clearly , visible: the Kings Game, the chariot marks cut into the very paving stones on which Jesus trod.
Rising from the level of Jerusalem of Christ's day, we climbed up the tiny streets where in the late afternoon shops were coming to life, crowding on top of each other with souvenirs, robes and caftans, deliciously odd looking pastries and sweetmeats, frult meat and just about everything imaginable, And so the the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with its Chapel of the Crucifixion and the Tomb where the body of Our Lord was laid - the final Stations of the Cross. After dinner thOse of €lur party with super stamina visited the Al).glican Cathedral of St. George just outside the city walls. Brief prayers were said in the St. John Chapel, where the kneelers are embroidered with the Order's emblem and the Altar Cross, vases and ornaments - gifts from Queen Alexandra - also bear our 8-pointed insignia. In the cathedral we were t1J.en entertained by the matron of our hospital, Miss Jennifer Clair, with a superb slide presentation of Galilee and Jerusalem.
by THEO ELLERT
Dr. Batten talking to the visitors -in the Cloister Garden of the Ophthalmic Hospita
Friday
There were one or two absentees from our breakfast at 6.30 am! But everyone was in excellent heart on the coach half. an hour later when our British courier, Brian Hooper, outlined the plans for the day. Along the Judean Hills, through the rocky country and rolling plain's of Samaria we came to Jacob's Well on the outskirts of the Arab town of Nablus. From there, having tasted the cool water from the well, on we went towards Galilee.
On through the barren sandy wastes bordering 'no-man's-land', between Israel and Jordan, to the lush green pastures of the Jordan ValleY, past the derelict mud huts of' earlier r;efugee camps with nearby flocks of scraggy sheep and vast herds of black goats under the eagle eye of a boy on a donkeyon to the man-made oases of the kibbutz: the citrus groves, the banana plantations, the sunflower fields.
A sharp turning and a steep climb brought us to the imposing ruins of the ancient Hospitaller Castle of Belvoir, where the Knights of St. John so bravely withheld a terrible 18 month seige until in January 1189 the victorilous Saladin rewarded such supreme courage by granting the Knights 'The Honours of War' and safe conduct from the beleaguered fortress.
In the footsteps .of the Knights, from Belvoir we travelled on to Tiberius, pausing only to cool our feet in the vivid green waters where the River Jordan joins the Sea of Galilee. After a bathe, what more fitting for lunch on the shores of this famous fishing ground than st. Peter fish - the trout-like catch · of Galilean fishermen through the centuries - depicted in the church we visitea next, at Tabgha, corpmemorating the miracle of the five loaves and two small fishes.
Prom the ruins of Capernaum on the lake's northern shore we turned inland towards the Horns of Hattin where so many of our Crusading Knights were massacred in the bloody battle of 1187, resulting in the
(Righ t ) Members o h e Ameri can Soc;iety of the Order of St. John sign the visitors book at the Ophthalmic Hospital. and (below) the 1976 Pilgrimage party at the hospital entrance
loss of Jerusalem to - Saladin's Moslem forces. Passing the little village of Cama, we came to Nazareth wi,th its impressive mpdern Church of the Annunciation in striking contrast with the carefully preserved relics of Joseph's workshop. Dusk and darkness were quickly upon us as homeward bound we southwards along the Mediterranean shore to Tel Aviv and inland again back to Jerusalem. The lights of the Intercontinental Hotel were a welcome sight after such a full day.
Saturday
A 9.30 start heralded a quieter day and, as we boarded the coach, there in the distance was the flag of St. John flying high above our
lain and found-er member
Horace Donegan meets a young patient during the tour of the Ophthalmic Hospital
' hospital on Mount Scopus. With our glorious Order very much in mind, we set out along the Bethlehem Road where above the Hinnom Valley standi the part-ruined buildings of the first St. John Ophthalmic Hospital, built in 1882 on a site to the Order of St. John by the Sultan of Turkey. Here the Order's fight for sight began nearly a hundred years ago. And here to this day the 8-pointed cross in stone bears witness to the continuing charitable and i:lumanitarian work of St. John, true to its Hospitalier mottoes 'Pro Fide - Pro Utilitate Hominum'.
Passing Abraham's Mosque, the Oak of Mamre, and Hebron's famous glass factory, we retraced 'our steps past Solomon's Pools ,
(Left) Visiting the Muristan Garden - site
-0f the original St. John hospice in Jerusalem of the 11 th-c entury
to Bethlehem. Here on the outskirts are the Shepherd's Fields the fascinating little bazaars abounding in delicate C?live wood carvings, souvenirs and gifts for everyone. We lunched beside the Church of the Nativity and afterwards descended th'e rough steps to the Crypt where Christ was born. Back at the foot of the Mount of Olives our last port of call was the Garden of Gethsemane with its ma'ssive ancient olive trees , the diffused purple light within the Church of All Nations and the very rock on which Chris t knelt, all combining to create one of the holiest spots of New Testament Jerusalem.
The Intercontinental s Special Saturday Night Buffet was slightly oversh a dow ed by a 5 o'clock 'At Home' party given for us by Dr. and Mrs Batten. Then an early nighttomorrow was a dawn call!
Sunday
A . simple Communion Service wa s conducted by our Bishop in a private room of the Hotel and then we were off againsouthwards through Bethany, the hometown of Mary and Martha , travelling the way of the Good Samaritan. Through the stark land of the biblical' 'Wilderness' we came to the awe-inspiring sight of the Dead Sea where the oily blue waters meet the brilliant pink / red sandstone of the' surrounding mountains. Along this lonely coastline we reached Massada where we had lunch at the foot the ancient mountain fortress.
A brief visit to the Caves of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, was
followed by the unjque experience ef a bathe in the Dead Sea with its pungent sulphur fumes, its 36% of ,salt and its bakirig hot beaches,
Coming from such sun-scorched terrain, Jericho seemed like a tropical haven with its blazing red flame trees and exotic date palms. With a final look at Old and New Testament 'Jericho, back we went for a quiet Sunday evening In Jerusalem.
Monday
One more day go and still so much to see. An 8.30 startwas scheduled and we returned to the ancient City passing through the Dung Gate to the Western (Wailing) Wall where we were lucky enough to witness the Jewish coming-of-age Mitsvah. We proceeded to one of the world's most holy shrines, the magnificent Dome of the Rock barefoot, our party was showlil its treasures by " the curator, Mustafa Khalil Ansari. After this we went along the Temple platform to the silver domed Aqsa Mosque and from there to where no visitors have been admitted for over ten years - the original und erground headquarters of the
Order of the Knights Templar (the military contempories of the Knights Hospitaller) and the vast vaultedr stables of King Sol omon. ,\
The quiet beauty of the Garden Tomb (Gordon's Calvary), just across from the Damascus Gate behind the busy bus station offered us a shady respite from the harsh burning sun. The story of General Gordon (of Khartoum) discovering the skullshaped rock , believed to be Golgotha ,' with , the adjacent garden anq tomb was told by the resident Dutch guide. Whether or not the theory has firm foundations, no doubt was left in our minds as , to the holiness of the Gardeh Tomb.
Our final guided visit was to St. Peter in Gallicantu to the south west of the ancient City of David. A centre of worship for Christians, Moslems and Jews, here is the Church of St. Peter - the ' Upper Room of the Last Sup per; a mosque; and a synagogue - the Tomb of David.
How quickly the ' hours of the last day sped by In · the evening a farewell cocktail party was given for us in the Cloister Garden of our hospital , where many of Jerusalem's
most distinguished residents came to wish us well. But all too soori iL was time to say goodbye: goodbye to the to the staff and to the patients, and goodbye to our guide, Hassan, and tobur driver , Aflm ed.
Tuesday
Our last sight of Jerusalem was breathtaking It was 6.30 am and a goldenpink dawn was creeping up over the almost luminous stone of the a.ncient walls and just touching the pure gold of that famous Dome.
An hour 01'1 the coach' to Ben Gurion Airport, then a four-hour flight in the El Al Boeing saw a very weary 'Band of Pilgrims' returning to London But a 'happy band' neverth eless , with unforgetable memories.
It was a sad parting. But as we made our way back to our hOIDIis,.many miles apart on both sides of the Atlantic, and to our vastly different lives, we were all confidently aware of the lasting bonds between followers of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem and the thousand years of charity which binds us together 'In the Service of . Mankind',
(Riglnt) The pilgrimage party outside the Monastery of St. John the Baptist
IN consultation with the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service, London District headquarters was invited to provide first aid facilities on August 29 and 30 in the Notting Hill area. In view of many other commitments over the BAnk Holiday weekend , London District invited the Brigade from Surrey to help in providing some of the facilities required.
Sunday August 29 was a relatively quiet day and by noon the Brigade had deployed three first aid posts (mobile units) and seven ambulimces with 58 personnel on duty. The ambulances were under. the control of the London Ambulance Service. A total of 55 casualties were handled, including three cases taken to hospital.
Police intelligence indicated that the crow-ds were likely to be very much larger on the Bank Holiday Monday (an estimate of 250,000 was given) and by Warn the Brigade had deployed in the area six first aid posts (mobile units) and -eight ambulances, again under the control of the London Ambulance Service. These included mobile units and anabulances from Ash Vale Weybridge and Caterham, all provided from the Brigade in Surrey.
A total of 98 people were on duty, including ' 5 surgeons and 2 SRN s, all under direct control of Derek Fenton, Commissioner, London District, assisted by Lt. Col. R. A. Payne (Deputy Commissioner) and DSO F. Witch (public duty officer) .
It was not until the afternoon that the situation in the Notting Hill area began to
NOTTING HILL RIOTS
get tense and by about 4.30pm hostile crowds were assembling in the streets and missiles were being thrown in considerable numbers at the Police and at passing , vehicles, including ambulances. This situation continued for about the next three hours.
All avai lable ambulances were continuously on the move collecting and , removing a constant stream of people suffering from minor injuries. The situation became so serious that a number of first aid post s had to change location due to street battles taking place, while the Commissioner had to ask for some ambulances to be escorted by motor-cycle police in order to get them through the crowded streets. On one journey a motor-cycle policeman was hit by a missile and later had to be taken to hospital in the ambulance he was escorting.
Three of our ambulances were damaged during the afternoon, but apart from a very slight injury to a nursing member in one of the ambulances , no St John people were
A minor but important role during the duty was the provision of refreshments for Brigade mem bers and the Police, some of whom had not had a meal since breakfast. The Brigade was finally stood down at
midnight , by which time the majority of members had .been continuously on d,uty for some 14 hours In the opinion of the Commissioner, London District, this was the. most exacting duty that London District had ever undertaken. (See cover photo).
The total number of casualties handled by the Brigade was 386', of which 114 had to be admitted to hospital.
In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that the following were brought out:
Firstly the continual need for close cooperation and understanding with the Police and the professional Ambulance Service. Secondly, the vital importance of good radio communication, both within the Brigade and to the Police and the County Ambulance Service.
Thirdly the importance of really good leadersliip , a sense of discipline and sound training to deal with the unforeseen and the unexpected. '
All those' who took part in this Notting Hill affray are to be congratulated for a magnificent example of devotion to duty under most hazardous conditions.
The following extract from a message in Police Orders from the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Sir Robert Mark speaks for itself:
'To the volunteers ' of the St. John Ambulance Brigade ' we express our profound admiration and gratitude for their ' selfless devotion in the face of considerable danger to ,which they exposed themselves in the service of police and public.'
FIRST AID FOR THE DEAF
I AM a 15 -years old deaf boy, but I am not dumb. I can speak very well, but I am sometimes difficult to understand. I can speak to people with hearing, though. My parents are deaf , My whole family are deaf but they are not dumb. There are 12,000 deaf children Britain but we are not dumb. Very jew are dum!; .J am $ure the deaf all try to speak well. Help us ban the phrase 'Deaf and Dumb'. We are the same as other people. We just can't hear. - Alex Olsen, London, S W.
That in a letter from a pupil at Oak Lodge School for deaf children in SouthWest London published in the Daity Express of May 27. 1976, was heard by SJA London District.
In January 1976, Miss WandaAbramczuk, a teacher at Oak Lodge School, contacted London District headquarters to ask if a number of her deaf pupils could undergo first aid training. Consideration was given to the request, which would be a new venture for the headquarters, and it was clear th at a major obstacle would be the means of communication, bearing in mind that added _ to their lack of hearing some of the pupils had only limited speech. However, it was felt that if these pupils were able to absorb sufficient knowledge of the subject and demonstrate their ability to carry out the practical aspect of life saving techniques, not only -would this break new ground ' in St. Jolm first aid training but more importantly, if they were able to -qualify, much more could be achieved in direct help to the pupils -a requirement cleafly indicated by Alex Olsen in his letter to the Daily Express.
The objective ' was to ascertain the response to first aid instruction from pupils of a certified school for the deaf. The Essentials of First Aid was to be the course for eight children (15 and 16 year-olds), the iflstructors Miss Abramczuk, their teacher, and Mrs. Edna Northcott, Association Branch lay instructor.
The children's hearing ranged from, at best, how a person with average hearing would hear a whisper to complete deafness. Their speech was limited, to varying degrees. Their intelligence was average. Their concentration was far above average Due to .the varying degrees of hearing and speech no single method of communication was practicable for the course. The methods used were lip reading, commercial hearing aids, films and other visual aids.
An experimental course held by London District REPORT by
S. F. AYLOTT
The examiner at. the end of the course was Mr. S. F. Aylott, Chief Executive Officer of London District's Association Branch.
It was clear that the pupils idolised their teacher (Miss Abramczuk) therefore her cooperation, which was paramount, hecame an essential ingredient in the future success of the project, in particular with the communication aspect.
Mrs. E. Northcott made contact with the pupils and was accepted. To a large degree this was made possible by her personality, versatility· and her limited knowledge of the sign and within a short period she was able to communicate by lip reading, so communications were established. The pupils were keen to learn, as evidenced by their interest and questions. No doubt this drive was motivated by the need to prove to others their capabilities and desire to be accepted. Communication was without doubt the m@)st difficult problem to overcome, and variations in hearing and speech emphasised the need for more than one method of approach hence the combination of lip
questions of the class, who in turn asked questions about the films It proved an invaluable exercise for the pupils and, indeed, fOIi the projectionist. A remarkable amount was absorbed by the pupils and the necessity fo,r visual aids was once again emphasised.
Both Resusci-Anne and Anatomic-Anne were used. While the former is more life-like , the latter does enable the pupil to see the anatomy of the chest cavity, in particular the ribs, heart and circulation in operation , which in itself creates a greater interest and ease of learning. In this connection it must be emphasised that the 'Head Model' (to demonstrate open airways) is an essential in conjunction' with both models.
The pupils had no problems in operating either model. 'Essentials of First Aid' text books were provided for each pupil - a valuable asset.
The duration of the course was not at first arranged \ as it was felt that this should be ascertained by experience. It was found to be a minimum of twenty-four hours, in sessions of an hour or more. A point was made that the average concentration curve is much shorter than in the case of these pupils, who can concentrate up to one hour without· undue stress. Therefore, it must be borne in mind that much more can be achieved by these pupils in a comparable time.
Lip reading is not always · possible and, during the oral examinati on, while the examiner could understand some replies to the questions , he was n?t able to fully communicate by this method, but once again, with the -assistance of the a · satisfactory was established.
reading, etc. The use of all types of visual aids was of major importance, and to this end many simpl e aids were devised by Miss Abramczuk.
The pupils live dn a sensitive world and if there is a tendency to leave out · specific words, for example, asphyxia or , unconsciousness, this in itself suggests to the pupils their inability to understand and does little to boost their confidence. Therefore the inclusion of such words is essential, even if in doing so the problem of understanding is increased. However, it was found that by the use of visual aids to break the word down into small syllables, the pupils were able to absorb, understand, and to associate the 'asphyxia' with 'not breathing'. Once having achieved this understanding , they were able to communicate the causes and effectively carry out emergency resuscitation
Two films were used - 'Don't let him Die' and 'Give him Air'. The volume was projected at maximum range and the pupils guided by lip reading. The teacher asked
During the course a written paper was submitted by the pupils, with good results. However, it did emphasise a real need for all questions to be phrased in such a manner as to leave the p1,lpils with no doubts. The concensus of opinion is equally divided, but both methods can prove effective.
The subjects covered were: Priorities.
Anatomy.
Asphyxia - Causes.
Bleeding -' External - InternalSpecial Areas.
Unconsciousness-.
Burns and Scalds. Poisons.
Sprains and Strains.
No problems were experienced with the practical examinations. The pupils understood, and very effectively their a:oility to attain the required standard
Lay instructor's comments
When I was approached by Mr. Aylott to participate in this project, I must admit I accepted with trepidation. Having had no previous experience of deaf children, or the
teaching of deaf children, but right from the first lesson I was accepted, and the majority of the children showed keen int,erest in the subject.
Communication was of course the difficulty , but this was greatly overcome to a large extent b y lip-reading , sign language (which fortunately I did have , a little knowledge of) and by the invaluable assistance of the teac her. We made marvellous headway. All the children worked- extremely hard mastering the unfamiliar words and phrases and eventually they all . passed the examination with flying colours. I am very proud of the students, and pleased and proud to have been involved in this venture, and sincerely hope that it will be the forerunner of universal classes and courses for all deaf and handicapped children.
, Unlike other classes , would say that it is essential to have the co-operation and assistance of the teacher.
The presentation of was made by London District's Superintendent Mrs D. Hoadley , during school assembly on July 21. Mr. Merryfield , the school's headmaster , introduced St. John representatives Mrs. Hoadley made a speech and was able to communicate with the assembled pupils , during which she pointed out that the successful pupils had achieved something that many adults had not achieved. The presentations were much admired by students not receiving awards and did much to boost the confidence of alL It successfully brought the project to a satisfactory conclusion.
General
Two individual reports by the teacher on the progress of the pupils illustrate the effectiveness of first aid instruction. Theresa Griffen - Has benefited greatly
from the course. She found it ver¥ interesting and enjoyable. It has her written language - many of the words from the vocabulary df the course ha ve f9und their way into her stories.
Alex Olsen - Initially his attitude was poor because he felt inadequate and clumsy. Gradually he improved and enjoyed the course, I think it h as helped him to mature.
Conclusion
The commenced as an experiment to ascertain if deaf pupils from Oak Lodge School were capable of learning first aid. The exercise was finalised with the objective attained. Not only were the pupils capable of learning , but of qualifying. They proved by examination that they can sustain life, prevent an injury becoming worse and promote the recovering of a casualty.
,We at London District headquarters learned much during this course. Particularly , that with patience and understanding subjects can be taught to a wider range of the population than was at first envisaged.
It is hoped that in some small way St John Ambulance has helped the pupils at Oak Lo.dge School- as they have helped us - to prove that in Alex's own words , 'We are just the same as other people' Comments by Miss Abramczuk, the teacher. I have been extremely pleased with the course. The children have had to strive hard to reach the - standards required and consequently this has brought out the best in them. Their self-confidence and maturity has improved as a direct result of the course, also their general. knowledge. What has pleased me greatly :is that the children ha ve been struggling to achieve results comparable to their hearing peers and have raised themselves to reach these results. I would definitely repeat the experience!
The course beg ns - with plenty of concentration. Standing at back is the teacher Miss Abramczuk
Suc cess and presentation of ce'rtificates by Mrs D Hoadley, ! District S uperinte nde nt
LONDON
The Order's Council for London has a new president- Marshal 9f the Royal Air Force the Rt. Hon. Lord Elworthy.
Introducing the new President to the Council recently, the Chairman Gp. Capt. G. H. Pirie said: 'I feel sure that as Marshal of the RAF, he is just the right man to keep us flying high' - and that London was extremely grateful to him for accepting the presidency in light of all his other commitments.
Lord Elworthy said that he was not on IX' ple ased to accept the office but 'I look forward to playing some part in its activities and in doing so I will be following in my father's footsteps.'
CAIRN USED
A recent cable from -SJA Yellowknife, Canada's Northwest · Territori.es, to the of the Order reads: You will be interested to know that your survival cairn at Port Leopold was used a few days ago and is credited with saving the life of a man attempting to navigate the Northwest Passage by kayak. Apparently ice conditions were bad and the rendezvous with an aircraft missed. He had to walk from Creswell Bay to Port Leopold which took 17 days. He was near starvation upon his discovery of the cairn. This is the first cairn ever to be used. 1 will send full information by letter.
TV
Granada TV's programme Reports Action ; early evening, November 28, will include an 8-minute piece on Emergency Aid, when viewers will be invited to 'phone-in' if they want to take the 2-hour course or if they can arrange a class for 10 to 20 people As the programme will be shown on all
A'RoUND 'and ABOUT
WHAT'S
GOING ON IN THE OF ST. JOHN
lTV stations (excluding Ulster), the response could be enormous. The TV companies are to list enquiries in counties and pass them to St. JohTil County HQs.
BACK UP SERVICE
The Casualties Union's 23rd annual competition in first aid and diagnosis for the Buxton trophies, held at Twickenham Football Club on 3, included teams from Germany's Johanniter Unfall Hilfe, Eire's Order of Malta Ambulance Corps and SJA Dublin, and Holland. The wide variety of UK teams included Pollce, Red Cross SJ A Post Office, Central Electricity Board a nd the Minimg Association. Visitors to the event came from as far afield as Australia, Yugoslavia, Portugal and South Africa. And it's good to be able to report that the Junior Final was won by SJA Chatham Cadets, whose t@am included four Grand Prior's Badge holders.
'Casualties Union, started in 1942 by civil engineer Eric Claxton OBE to help Civil Defence rescue workers to Gape' with unfamiliar wartime casualties, · has since developed into a four-figure organisation which speciiotlises in realistically simulating casualty injuries for first aid training. Which is obviously an important
adjunct to the dissemination of first aid skills - hence the CU's · is now spreading throughout the ' world - SJ A's C-in-C Major-General Desmond Gordon is a vice-president of the CU; London District's Surgeon Dr. Colin Dawson is chairman of the management committee; and London Association Branch's Chief Development Officer Stan Aylott is competition secretary.
In other wor.ds , Casualtie s Union is a voluntary back - up to all first, aid organisations. Its members must hold a first aid certificate from either St. John or the Red Cross.
Its HQ is in the SJ A HQ Building, Grosvenor London SW 1.
MEET
The seed was sown in Baldwinsville,: New York State , last SUmmeL SgL Clift ('ClifT'), of West Midlands Spark hill Combined Division was on · holiday visit lng friends who are members of Baldwinsville Volunteer Ambulance Service. He was invited to test his skill on their newly acquired Recording Resusci -Ann. The result of the experience so impressed Cliff that he arrived back in Birmingham determined to have one of these models for the division.
NEW DIVISION
Mr. Frank Catania, a clerical officer with the Army Medical Department in the Ministry of Defence cerntre) signs on as ttile first 0 thirty founGer members of the newly formed Ministry of Defence Combined Divisi on. Standing (L to R): Mr J Bowen, Area Supt (A); Dr. C J. P. Seccombe London Western Area Commiss oner; and Mr. E W. Sarginson, Assistamt Under Secretary of State (Personnel) (PE). Sea ted: Mrs R Barham Area Supt (N) ; Mr Catania; and Dr. A. N Hepburn Dire ctor of Civilian Medical Services (PE)
BY THE EDITOR
MIND BENDERS
Find the first aid word or words in the clue The mumber of letters in the answer is givern. To get you used to the idea, I'll give you the fir st answer.
CLUE: Doc to r unwell (5)
ANSWER: DR -ILL.
I. Musical path (6), 2. Get in touch with a Scottish poet (7.5)
3. A toy man, builds up structure (7)
4. Ra sca played before the break (8.8).
Answers: Upside d own are at the bottom of page 251. No cheating.
At the Division 's AGM the idea was put forward and members were impressed with the project but a little sceptical when told the cost - £420 - especially when it wa s suggested that the money -be raised within 3 months to prevent the scheme 'g oing cold' on us.
Our first fund -raising effort , a jumble sale, produced £50, and we realised that at this rate we would not reach our target in the allotted time. So a sponsored walk was
STEPPING OUT
In June Around an d Abo\,Jt we mentioned I s le of Wight count y secretary Ch ar les Da v
in Southern TV s Nurse of th e Yea r contes t We've since received this picture of Charles - in typical TV hospital setting - as seen by viewers .,
organised , with 18 members of the division aged between 16 and 65 taking to the road to walk 13Y2 miles. We raised £350 Supplies Dept. was most helpful and we had no diffic;ulty in obtaining the model, the balance of £20 being taken from our hard pressed general fund.
Recording Resusci-Ann has been in our Poss€ssion now for 5 months aNd we have had time to ref1ect on its general performance. The enthusiasm for the model felt by Cliff was well founded. Using her , our members claim a feeling of confidence and satisfaction not often experienced when using the standard models.
Readers in the West Midlands Area may
have se en our Div Surgeon , Dr. M. Harrison , and Cliff demonstrating the model on the A TV news programme ATV Today
Announcer Derek Hobson successfully carried out the kiss-of-life and external cardiac compression on the model after only 5 minutes of hurried instruction
At the No.9 Regional Competition , held in Birmingham earlier this summer , the model was on display. The remark made by Lady Moyra Browne on seeing it was - ' An excellent piece of equipment'.
We are always happy. to receive invitation s to introduce our Ann to otber divisions in the West Midlands Area. We have already covered several large functions
givin g d emonstrations and encouraging people to have a go and so spark off an intere s t in first aid
Progression chart
R E SUSCI ANN Allows : Kis s- of-Life to be taught. E C.C. can be taught added accessor y ANATOMIC ANN A llows: Kiss -of-Life to be taught. E C C. can be taught. Pressure results in a ' heart action ', but no depth or correct position of hands can be positive. , RE G ORDING RESUSCI ANN Allows: Kiss-of-Life to be taught - proven effective. E.C.C - Proven depth and correct position of hands E y es d ilate and con strict. Pulse can be felt. Timing accurate
- using metronome Proof is in print out. Leave s no doubt a s to operator' s abilityright or w.rong.
NEW MAGAZINE·
A new ma g azine Outlook, which co ver s d e velopments in the employment , rehabili t ation and resettlement of di sabled p e ople is being i ss ued free b y the Emplo y ment Service Agency , 82 Charing Cro ss Road , London WC2H OBT.
CINDERS
Cinderella (Secretar y) a sked her Button s (Div. Supt.) if she could b e taken to the ball . at The Talk of t he Town. Said Buttons : ' I'm . s orry but I just can't afford it.' So Cinder s put h er glass slippers awa y and climbed back into the mobile unit to await her ne xt casu a lty
Cinders as always persi st ent wanted to know how a nyone especially at divisional level , could a fford to go. Button s replied: 'Well , I don ' t think it s for us - we just do the work .'
By t.hi s time C inder s gave up , but did wonder how m a ny St. John members,felt left out - after doing most of the work .A non
REVIEW MATERIAL
Reports continue to filter back to me that members of northern counties still complain that the Review doe s not publish enough material from the north , or doe s not publish it when submitted .
Would northern members who feel th is send me some material rele v ant to St. John of course , and then if it isn published within three months write a snorting letter of complaint which I promise to publish on the first page of the Review
We can t publ ish colour photographs or black and white prints of poor qualit y. I alone have to decide whether the quality is good enough.
FROM TV
80
You may raise your eyebrows over publish ing ' within three months'. Let me explain. Each issue has to be completed at least three weeks before publication date. If I receive something on June 10 it is too late for the July issue and could get squeezed out because of more topical items of the August issue. Hence it would appear in t he September is sue three month s after it was sent to me. Also I intentionall y hold back certain material for publishing collectively with othe r submissions or to tie in with the seasons of t he year. MIND BENDERS (answers)
AT RANDOM . fin ,Africa)
by Watkin W. WiHiams Deputy Commiss ioner-in-Ch'ief
1 REACHED Chileka airport in Malawi atter a 2Y2 flight from Ndola in Zambia, and was met by Mr. Leslie Sait (St. John Commissioner for Malawi) at whDse home in Limbe 1 was charll1ingly entertained by Mr. and Mr.s Salt and their for the next 3 days.
The highlight of my visit was when I was received by the Chairm81'l of 81. John Council · the " H;on P.L. (Minlsfer f@r the Southern Region) who conveyed to me the personal greet ngs and ' g09d wishes of His Excellency the Life President and discussed with great interest the opportunities for developing St. John training tl') the benefit of the comrimniiyin partic;:ular, the introdu ction of E.A. training .in industry t me extension of Brigade divisiems (at limited to the , Blantyre-Limbe area) to other parts I')f the · coumtry induding Zomba and the new capital at -Lilongwe , He alsl') kindly gave official authmity for me to be intervi€\Ved by the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation , and on the following morning i was mDst cordially welcomed by the chief reporter · who arranged for me to have a taped lasting for about 15 minutes. Two other very rewarding events were a party kindly given by the Salts at which 1 met members of the St. John Council, and , an evening gathering of all available members of the Bl'antyre Ambulance Divisions at which, after a brief formal inspection, we had an 'open forum discussion for well over am hour; the enthusiasm shown by the members was ,'most encouraging and many interesting questions were raised. There are at present no nursing or cadet divisions in Malawi, but 1 hope it won t be long before the Brigade can extend in these directions. 1 hope, too, that with encouragement from the many of whose members mave now moved from Blantyre to Lilongwe, St. John will soon gain a foothold in the new and thus h e able to make an increasing contribution to the safety, health and welfare of the whole nation.
Three other visits of special interest were (a) to the recently opened Government Spinning and Weaving Factory for handicapped blind) persons, (b) to the LEPRA projeGt at Quee'n Elizabeth Hospita , Blantyre, of the Director gave me a most interesting account and ,
round the desk , lookin g at the photograph and then at me , talking and laughing s hakin g hands. I hope Mr Mtwana got his copy of the R ev ie ,w ba9k eventually , but I'm afraid it interrl!lp ned work in the office for some considerable time and I saw at lea st two members of the staff who to b'e devou ring its contents from cover to cover.
showed me over the leprosy waJ1ds, and (c) to the Malawi Red Cross HQ, where I had a, most useful a n d friendly exchange of views with the General Secretary Mr. Duncan Chitambo , I s peciall y enjoyed seeing again several of those whom I had met on my previous visit 3 , years ago , SJlch as Dr. Henry Mowschenson (Principal Surgeon), Mr. Nyasl!ll l!l (Brigade Staff Offi c er) and Mr. John Saumders (Council me m ber and formerly Association chairman) as well as to meet some of the splendidly enthus i astic new members of Council' such as Mr. Kambwembwe (Secretary) and Mr. (Treasure );).
St. John Malawi is as yet ,but a small orgamisation which has had its full share of p li oblems to contend with. But problems are only one side of t h e coin: turn the c'oin over and they become opportunities.
With this thought in mind 1 came away with encouraging evidence ' that the members , friends and supporters of St. John in NJ;alawi are set to solve the problems , seize the opportunities and go from strength to
Tanzania
I reach€d Dar es Salaam airport after dark on Wednesday evening, September 8, where Mr. Mtambalike (St. John Commissioner for Tallzania and MaQ.ager of the East Afr ican Railways Tanzania Region } h ad kindly sent his car to take me to m y hotel ilil the city, as he himself h.ad been detained by urgent business.
Next morning I was taken to his office where he welcomed me most cord ially and we had a useful preliminary discussion, and later in the clay I had further discussions with Mr. Mtwana (Brigade Secretary). Mr. Mtwana was not in his o ffice when I a rr ived, and as I sat d 6 wn to awa it his rret l!l rm ] saw on his de sk a copy of the March Review. I turned to the first page and remarked to my conductor '1 wasn't expecting to find proof of my identity lying on his desk to greet me!'
He at the photograph at the top of the At Random column, then IQoked at me: his eyes opened wide and a broad smile ,spread 3'cf(')ss his faee a s me held out his hand arid said Withilil minl!ltes there must have been nearly a dozen members of the railway office staff crowding
Perhaps th e most important event during my stay in Dar es Salaam was when , accompanied by Messrs Mtambalike and Mtwana , I was received b y tine Hon. Dr. Leader Stirling (Minister of Health) and Dr. Manukuzi'{the Ministry' s expert on · health training aspect df the Gov({rnment's Ujamaa village -community proj ect) T he Minister showed great intere s t in the introduction of F.A. training in industry - though he stre s sed that this was a matter for the Minister of Industr y to initiate , but m a de it clear that an y such action would receive his ready support and also in the possibility o f St. John involvement in the Ujamaa project at "Village - Health Post level. He proudl y told me that aid now form s part of the ba s ic trainin g of all doctor s and n urs es in Tanzania.
There are 15 acti ve Bri g ade divi sions in the country , S ofthem in Dar es Salaam .and the other 10 in variou s outly ing on the railway network. All of these are open ' divi s ion s though s pon sor ed b y the railwa ys who se employee s form a hi g h percen t a ge of member ship and manage to put in quite a number of hour s' tr a ining a nd public duties durin g ,heir spare time. No nursing or cadet' divi sions a s yet ex ist " though a small nucleus of women receive training with the men in some divi,sions and there are plans afoot to s tart at least one c a det di v ision among members o f the T A N U Youth League . I had a most enjoyable meeting with officers of the divisions in Dar , all of whom s howed t remendous enthu sia s m , and I was delighted to meet some of them again at a dinner party which Mr. Mtambalike kindly gave in my honour on the last evening of my stay. .st: John s most urgent needs in Tanzania are to re -activate the Council and the Association branch and to increase the number of lay lecturer s so that ba sic training can be extended - more es pecially in industry and in connection with the Ujamaa project. From the enthusiasm that I encountered among all those that I met , 1 felt there was good reason to hope th a t this will soon coine about.
Kenya
My 3-day stay in Nairobi , where I was GharITrlingly entertained as the guest of the Deputy Commissioner and Mrs. James Fo.s ter, was not part of the original plan for my tour, it was adelightful bonus to be ;lble to meet again , SO many friends and to form first-hand impressions of the splendid
progre ss th a t the Council (under the chairman s hip of Mr. Humphrey a nd St. John Ambulance (under Sir Charles M.arkham as CStJA) are continuing to make 'illl Kelilya. My only regret wa s that 1 had no time to travel outside Nair6bi or even to see se'ver a l of my friends in the cit y its elf. 1 wa s invited ' to attend a meeting of the management committee of the Council at which preliminary p ra ns were discus s ed for developing indu s trial first aid as a special project for ce,ntenary year. I wa s warmly welcomed at HQ by Mr s Everard (Executive Secretary and Principal Superintendent) a nd Mrs. Pauline Mbtlgwa {office secretary ) and had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Michael Sifuna the recentl y a ppointed A s sistant Training Officer. Unfortunately for me Mr. Javan Mavi s i (Trainin g Officer) w a s away on a 3-week vi sit to Momb a sa to conduct A s sociation but I hope there' s a good chance Of hi s com ing over tD England next year. I'm particularl y grateful to Mrs E verard for t aking so much trouble to arrange for Mr. John Kintu (E x ecutive and Training Officer for St. John in Uganda) to come to Nairobi to me during my brief st a y Uganda
Following Mr,s. Everard s invitation Mr. Kintu received official permission from his Government to fl y to N airobi to meet me. He brough 't me cordial greetings from Brigadier Bogere (Commissioner) on behalf of the St. John Council for Uganda , and 1 was most fortunate to have the greater part of a whole day in consultation with him. He is ver y busil y engaged with Association training , thou g h his activities are still , alas , restricted by transport difficulties since the car crash i n which he was involved two years ago. He himself has now made a splendid recovery after having both legs broken , but the car itself was a write -off and it hasn ' t yet been possible to replace it.
The highlight of his training activities was an intensive course lasting for three weeks, with a further week for revision , which he recently organised by Government request for 15 air hostesses The first fortnight consisted of FA training to a very high standard of competence, and the third week ' s programme involved instruction by professional experts in such subjects as the effects of altitude on the human body, the physiolog y of flight, the use of oxygen equipments , obstetrical emergencies in flight child care in flight , and international sanitary regulations. It was an encouraging tribute to the success of his course that shortly after 1 met him in Nairobi , he was officially sponsored by his Government to pay a St. John visit to England and , accompanied by
Mr. Olea (a la y lecturer who is Commandant of the pri s on Staff College) , he arrived just in tim e to attend the Nottingham conference where some of y ou will no doubt have met them
The Bri ga d e has 12 active adult divisions and on e 40 -s trong cOfTlbined cadet divi s ion, The total m e mber s hip is about 93 % male and ,7% female. Public duties are being regularl y performed and a steady n r;:: reas e in recruitment i s a lread y goin g some wa y t6 compens?te for the loss of a number of expatriate member s in recent year s
It was indeed good to meet Mr Kintu again, both in Nairobi and later in London , and to hear from him such encouraging news of he contribution that St. John Ambulance is makin g to th e welfare of the community in Uganda.
A modest disclaimer
A letter from Mr. H. C, Newell of Shrew s bur y wa s awaiting my return asking me to correct part of what I said in the Augu s t Review when congratulating him on his recent award of th e BEM He t ell s me that he becam e a Di v isional Officer in 1956 , and m a intain s that h e did not rai s e all the mone y for a motor am bulance 40 y ear s ago most of the credit being due el sewhere ; also that he did not form the cad e t band in 1960 but took over as bandma ster in that y e ar I apolo gi se for any embarrassment that may been cau sed b y thes e
s, but feel bound to point out that my information resulted from enquiries made to his own county , which indicat es t,he high esteem in which he is held by his fellow members of St. John in Shropshire!
P R conference
EVER Y county was represented at the SJ A centenary year PR conference held in London , Sept. 25 and 26. And when chairman Geoffrey Meek HQ ' s Director of Public Relations,asked on the afternoon of the first day for regional plans and preparation s, HQ staff were rather shaken , 1 thought. For representatives started to produce such impressive lists of confirmed and pending plans that Geoff had to call a halt - we d have lieen there to midnight. Instead , the chairman had to ask for unusual plans onl y. A good sign indeed for SJA s 1977
Of particular note , no less than 7 to 8 of Britain s cathedrals will be the scene of St. John services next year ; one county hopes to have , a SJ hot-air baloon aloft and targets for appeals include £50,000 for Stafford , £100 ,000 for Sussex.
See back cover of this issue for material available for centenary year.
FIRST AID
a cause for thought
by Surg. Rear Adml. STAN LEV M II!.ES, CB, MB, MSc, FRCP, FRCS, MFCM, DTM & H
focused on the individual rather than his environment.
INTRODUCTION by Nevill F. Marsh, CBE, MA, Director-General, Association Branch
It behoves all teaching organisations and partir:ularly old established voluntary bodies such as ours, to keep the content oj courses, teaching methods and practice under constant review. It is particularly valuable when the review is carried out by an independent authority oj acknowledged standing. The appearance in the British Medical Journal oj 22 November 1969 (reprinted in April 1970 St. john Review) oj an article entitled FIRST AID TRAINING by Surgeon Rear Admiral Stanley Miles, CB, MD, MSc, Dean oj Postgraduate Medical Studies, Manchester University, and a member oj the Medical Commission on Accident Prevention, received a warm welcomeJrom the teaching side oj St. John Ambu.lance, and was disseminated widely throughout the movement. Several oj the concepts advanced, thought then by some to be revolutionary in character, are now widely accepted, and it is Jair to say that the introduction by St. John Ambulance oj uncertificated courses owes much to the inspiration in the article. Today, Jew doubt the benefits accruing to the public at large, and indirectly to the movement, Jrom the provision oj short uncertificated courses in life saving techniques.
At my invitation, Rear Admiral Miles has now written the Jo llo wing article Jor St. John Review FIRST AID - A CA USE FOR THOUGHT in which he throws more light on the subject oJfirst aid training, and thus helps us to take aJresh look into theJutu,re
ONCE MORE it must be stressed that- the recovery and indeed life of an injured or suddenly ill person will depend on the ability of the first person available to help. It is also regrettably true that a very large proportion of the population, having no idea whatever of first aid may in fact do more harm than good in the emergency.
Does this mean that first aid training is inadequate and that the acceptamce in the past ten years of a policy of progressive first aid training has failed?
There is little I personally would wish to change in the paper I wrote in 1969 (B.M.l. 22/11/69) except to say that the 'C.O.N.' apparatus has been replaced ·by the much more satisfactory 'ENTONOX'.
I am however concerned that the quality of teaching of the simple principles leaves much to be desired. These principles have been accepted at world life saving conferences in recent years and have remained basically unchanged. Individual lectures and peripheral organisations tend to intf0duce their own 'frills' and modifications and frequently show a reluctance to let go of traditional practices which are not in keeping with the urgency of many of today's situations.
Even well meaning 'experts' will suggest their own pet and improved modifications which can only confuse an issue demanding simplicity and stability.
Today, when we are all caught up irn the turbulent wake of advancing technology, first aid is no longer a ritualistic or competitive activity for groups of well
meaning and dedicated citizens. It demands, in to dedication, a high degree of professional skill at all levels.
I am grateful to St. 10hn for inviting me to make this contribution and would hasten to add that the central teaching and standard publications of St. 10hn and its sister orgamisations reflect this crisp professionalism. It is in the field that the shortcomings are all too often seen. There will always be a place for the voluntary organisations in teaching with intelligence, sincerity and compassion, first aid to the public, ie, the basic life saving principles to all where ever possible the more advanced methods for dealing quickly with the everyday emergencies which occur equally at work, school, play, home or while travelling. The interest at all times must be Level of teaching
Basic first aidlife saving practice
Formal and
As many as possible of the ge[o)eral Memfuers of first aid parties, and organisations demanding first aid knowledge.
Where a special occupation, as in industry , s'port or exploration, etc, · introduces additional personal or environmental hazards, the standard first aid training must be supplemented by the teaching of appropriate life saving and protective skills. This should properly be taught by the professional factory nurse , trainer or expedition leader.
The doctor's role too is changing. The increasing demands and improved techniques for emergency care are producing a new speciality within the profession , the skills of which are being acquired by personnel of accident and emergency departments , occupational medical officers and a limited number of general practitioners who are involved in Immediate Care Schemes. It is these, and only these doctors who should be responsible for the training and examination of ambulance personnel, nurses and advanced first aid instructors
Experience has shown that members of these three groups and other professions allied to medicine can be trained to a very high standard in emergency medical care so that the attendance of an experienced doctor at the site 'of an incident should be very rarely needed.
Voluntary organisations are responding to changing circumstances albeit , slowly Further changes are needed; possibly the relinquishing of many practices clear to the hearts of the established orders such as competitions , certification and the - involvement of doctors not themselves actively concerned wit!1 emergency care.
A new hierarchy of first aid must develop somewhat on the following lines:
By whom
Those already possessing the skill.
Competent instmctors in professional aIild voluntary organisations.
Doctors and nurses employed in Accident and Emergency Departments or equivalents.
AbGlve, h<l!ving in additi0Iil the appropriate expertise
Such a plan of training should result in a chain of ability and experience tending to fall into two levels i.e.:
The professional level
(1) Consultant and other doctors trained for the accident and emergency services or equivalent in industry , the services or special recreational or adventure activities
(2) The occupational nurse or - professional equivalent:
(3) Senior ambulance personnel.
(4) Professional occupational safety officer s
(5) Se lected members of police, fire and militar y services
The amateur level
(1) Members of voluntary aid a ssociations and first aid partie s
(2) The general pUblic.
These proposals may not be acceptable to all but they should provide food for thought.
The ability to THINK is the most important asset of the first-aider and to THINK first what should be done for the best results however pressing the need for immediate action
How's this for a duty?
T H E sh e er enormity of the crowds at Kn e bworth (Herts) Pop Fe stival during August gives an obvious clue to t he pro blems faced by organisations involved in public occasions in the future. Unfortunately we have had no reports on the SJA coverage of this pop weekend , so we can't give you any facts. But if the photo (right ) is anything to go by our member s were pretty busy
KNOW YOUR
The use of projected material to
AUDIO VISUAL AIDS
THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR
ALTHOUGH originally developed in the UK twenty years ago, the overhead projector did not begir1 to find its way in .the educational field until 1960, but now it i"s considered one of the newer and more l.!lseful visual aids and many thousands are currently in use in education.
The overhead projector is a transparency projector capable of taking transparencies (or slides) approximately inches square; these transparencies are placed on the projector in a horizontal position and can be modified or annotated during performance.
Due to the projector's position at the front of the class it is lecturer operated; the of the picture on the screen . is such that it may be used satisfactorily in quite high levels of ambient light. Scroll attachments may also be usedthese are rolls of traNspareNt material, usually cellulose acetate 50ft. long by 10 inches wide which can be wound across the projection stage; notes and sketches may be made on this during projection.
The lecturer is enabled always to face his cla-ss and employ the projector in normal daylight conditions; he can use commerciaLly produced , transpaFencies and by means of eolOlued overlay transparencies can build up a multiple presentation.
Disadvantages
Unless the overhead projector is correctly aligne4 onto a screen placed at an angle to the light source a 'Keystoning' effect is obtained.
. Employed by a lecturer in ims use, this visual aid can detract rather than add to the quality of instruction.
Sources of Material
Transart Limited, Visual Education Division, East Chadley Lane, Godmanchester, Hlll1tingdolil. MacMillan & Co. Ltd, Little Essex Street, London, WC2.
AUDIOTAPE SLIDE PROGRAMME
The main use of audio tapes and slides is for individual or small group listening ON ordinary domestic equipment. The talks are all available on opem 5ins. Feels or compact cassettes (C60 and C90) plus illustrations 2 x 2 (35mm) transparencies. Talks normally-
run about 30 minutes and slides vary in number but 24 might be quoted as minimum. Automatic synchronisation with reel-to-reel or cassette records is possible.
The Foundation (an educational activity of the Royal College of General Practitiol1ers) supplies audio tape/slide presentations on 14-day short term loam at a hire fee of £ 1 per tape, with a special price when more than one is borrowed at a time. It is also possible to purchase the presentations. The prices vary according to of slides employed but average £10 as V A T has to be added to all charges. Some of the titles available:
Roadside First Aid - DF. K. Easton. Cat. No. 69/41.
A New Look at First Aid - Mr. Peter London 71/88. Shock - 11r. V. J . Downie . 58/51. Equipment For Use at Road AccidentsDr. P. Aston. 71/97.
Every Doctor's Roadsmash Drill - Dr. K. Easton. 71/90.
W ()rks Safety Officer Mr. J. Ji. Cobain. 72/13. .
Sav.e A Life Cour'se - Dr. R. Orr. 65/6l. Home Is a Dangerous Place - Dr. R. Orr. 67/7.
Examining A Casualty On The Mountain - Dr. 1. Jones. 72/97.
Simple Home Nursing Series - Mrs. C. Stretton (series of five talks). 71/74 to 71/78.
Teaching slide sets:
Some Common Injuries. TS30. Advanced First Aid - Serious Injuries. TS28.
Some Injuries & Emergencies Seen In General Practice. TS48.
Some BtlTns Seen In Casualty. TS37. Some Self-inflicted Wounds. TS38. Common ] flfectious Diseases. TS L Nursing The Disabled At Home - Bed Making. TS35.
Full list available, free of charge from above address.
16mm OPTICAL SOUND CINE PROJECTORS
This item represents a heavy capital outlay in the acquisition of visual aids equipment; projectors when new cost
support first aid training PARliTWO
between £350 - £850. However , Such pr ojector.s will give many years of satjsfactory service.
If the need for 16mm cinematograpNic equipment is establi.shed and loan applic ation to sources quoted in Part 1 of this article prove fruitless yet occasional need does not justify the aequisition of new eq uipment then secondhand equipment reconditioned to serviceable standard and with suitable guarantee may often be obtainable from reputable sources.
NATIONAL AUDIO VISUAL AIDS CENTRE (London)
An extensive demonstration centre is provided at 254 Belsiz;e Road , London, NW6, which contains a permanent display of a wide range of equipment. Cine projectors; filmstrip projectors; overhead projectors; micro-projectors ; schools television receiveFs radios' record players; tape record:rs; I;nguage laboratories; teaching machines and accessories are among items on display. Demonstrations and advice are provided and can handle t'he equipment and evaluate its performqnce.
A comprehensive display of software is maintained. A. viewing theatre is available and provision is made for personal evaluation in listening and projection booths.
Information about the sources of nonprojected aids, materials (i.e. flannelgraph, plastigraph and magnet boards) is available and advice on how to make OHP transparencies can be given.
The fonowing 16mm projectors are recommended (*specially recommended):
Bell and Howell
Filmsound Model 535H: Single , case complete with 2in. F/1.6. lens, 1000 watt lamp, built in elliptical speaker, 6 watt amplifier, and fitted with 10ft. power lead. Weight 321hs. £321 list.
Filmsound Model TQII 1644: (AutoThread Model - TQII Specialist 1654. £675). With · magnetic record/playback facility, manual threading. 250 watt tungsten halogen lamp. Weight 471bs. £588.
0.153 250w Tungsten halogen lamp builtin-speaker £460, also with magnetic record and back - -MR - 153 £602.
All the above available Ex NAVAC with 20% discount plus V AT. 8mm single loop proje"ctors
THD Model 105R STD 8mm: Is sold by THO Ltd. or Agents (NAVAC). Picture size 19ins. x 15ins. with remote control and stop frame facilty. Price Projector Cabinet £38, Total £135.
THD Model 205R: Provision for Super 8 material only. Price Projector £97 , Cabinet £38, Total £135 '
Technicolor 270/280*: Super 8 filmloops only Portable projectors 280 has still picture facility. £85 - £130 according to model and lens.
35mm fIlmstrip/slide projectors
The cost of this type o'f equipment varies · enormously - it depends upon the quality, manufact.ure and sophistication of the machine; the lowest price is £17 and the top end of the range about £250.
For those anxious to acquire such equipment we recommend seeking free advice from: Information Department, National Audio Visual Aids Centre, 254/6 Belsize Road, London, N.W.6. (Tel: 01 -624 8812/3/4)
The following equipment are recommended (*specially recommended):
Hanimette 100
100w. lamp focussing lens T 28 with film strip attachment available 1 year guarantee. Price £20.55 plus V AT.
Elmo 5300
A slide projector from J apan compact well designed offering a bright sharp image. Complete with F / strip attachment £32.72.
Rank Aldis Tutor II·
A heavier more robust machine. 250 watt. Tungsten HalogeIl lamp. (20% discount from E.F.V.A.) Complete £80.89 plus VAT:
Hanimex Syllabus 4000
A projector with Tungsten Halogen Lamp 250w. Ain lens and slide (20% discount from E.F.V.A.) £76.66 plus VAT.
Orlux N24
Brieter A. V. Aids Ltd, 20b Torno Industrial Estate, Stowmarket, Suffolk. With Tungsten/Halogen Lamp 150w.
Agfacol<n 50· Automatic, 12v 50 Tungsten Halogen lamp (for small groups) 85mm lens £34.42 plus VAT.
Price s. quoted in th is article may have increased since · the material prepared.
Agfacolor SO (manual magazine) £23.51 plus VAT.
Hanimex La Ronde
Range of automatic projectors £75.43£92.57.
Kodak Carousel S.A.V. 2000·
These are two highly sophisticated automatic magazine feed machines with slide change time variation. These machines cost £ i 89 plus lens and accessories and are recommended for County HQs and larger centres where the work load would justify such expenditure.
Overhead projectors (·specially recbmmended)
Bell & Howell 301A
650w Tungsten-Halogen lamp thermostatically cooled. £133 plus V AT. (301BX) £112 plus VAT.
3M Model 299*
500 watt lamp £90.00 plus V AT. Model 566 625w lamp £125 00 plus VAT. (Likely to be discontinued soon. New model not yet annoul!ced).
ITM Porta Scribe 700* 650 watt laT1)p Tungsten-Halogen £117.57 plus VAT.
Low Voltage Lamp OHP's Cheap lamp replacement and improved
Screens
The type and size of screen selected will vary with the nature of the projector, focal length and the size of the hall / and/or audience A width of 4ft. is sufficient for most needs. Picture width should be 1/6 of maximum viewing distance. Portable screensUsually on spring rolls mounted
N.4.
- May be acquired from: Perforated Front Projection Screen Co, 182, High Street, Cottenham, Cambridge. MULTI MEDIA CATALOGUE
The essential publication to acquire A Guide to Films and Other Audio Vi sual Materials On First Aid, Nursing and Allied Topics price £1.90 , plus postage, from: The Supplies Department, Order of St. John , St. John's Gate , Clerkenwell, London, EC 1M 4DA. •
KAREN S DAY! 15-year-old Karen Hawker's delight is shared by cadets of Cardiff's Castle Division when she was awarded the cup for community service and hospital work by the Parent's of her school. Cardiff's Castle Division is 50 years old this year. (Photo: PRO F. Lewis)
SHOCKING THEATRE DUTIES
from Esmee Salkeld, Nursing Member
r was astonished to read (Review, August) a letter from a new nrsing member suggesting that theatres, and shows, should be vetted before a S1. John member goes on duty!
Whatever do we go on duty for? To sit in comfort and be entertained? If entertainment is the first importance and theatre reviews in the newspapers are to be studied before accepting a duty, then is it not time priorities were put into the right perspective? What is the real meaning of going on duty? Surely not free entry to a show, to sit in a of choice with a 'Do Not Disturb' noti!;e round our necks. Perhaps meteorological reports, flood warnings and imminent earthquakes, to mention a few, can be handed out with the duty request!
After only twelve years in the Brigade, I wear my uniform with pride for the purpose we train, practise and work - IN THE SERVICE OF MANKIND - not to sit in judgement of others, their behaviour or politics.
READERS VIEWS
Reader's vi ews and OpiniOnS, which should be sent to the Editor, although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation Although readers may sign published letters with a pen - name, writers must supply their name and address to the editor
know only too well that any unit that is smartly turned out is an efficient unit.
Isle of Wight
from
R. F. Strutt, ASO
I was interested to read (August Review) the letter from Mrs. McLintock, principally because there seems to be little doubt that the 'play' referred to was attended by myself and another officer. Although many years in the services had made us both broadminded, we were agreed that it is sad to think that such a production is considered to be ei'1tertainment. However, I cannot agree with Mrs. McLintock on two major issues.
First, I cannot see why, by attending such duties, one can be thought to be condoning the performance. If that is the case, is it thought that we cGndoned the recent events at the Notting Hill carnival?
Second, one attends thea,tre duties to be on call in case of an emergency. Should the production be agreeable, then that is a bonus. If not, then as an adult, one has the free choice to sit either in the auditorium or outside - so long as the theatre staff know where the first-aider(s) can be found.
What does worry me is the thought of cadets attending slJ.ch a duty. There is little doubt that theatre duties are looked forward to by the cadets, who would naturally think they were cheated if they were prevented from seeing the performance. When my two sons were cadets, I would have been appalled to hear they had been subjected to such language on a public duty.
Fililally, I did draw the of the District PubIic Duty Officer to this whole question 1 and I believe that some action is being taken as a result.
OUR SCRUFFY BANDS
from C. R. Davis
Before we get too , involved with centenary celebrations next year, ' could something be done to smarten Mp the Brigade bands?
Having seen the West Midland Band at St. Paul's Cathedral on St. John's Day, whilst one had to admire their great enthusiasm and gusto on such a hot day, I am afraid their general appearance and uniforms, compared with other organisations such as the Scouts, Church Lads Brigade and even the bands of some political parties, left a lot to be desired in smartness.
Surely, if one is going to have a band to publicly represent St. John, a decent, well-fitting uniform sb.ould be worn with persmlal pliide, kne>wing that to thousands of people they are representing st. John and not Fred Karno's army.
I am aware that this letter may provoke caustic comment, but I am proud to have been a member of St. John for over 40 years and
C. R.
Davis
COMPETITIONS
from S. P. Kelly, Ambulance Member
In response to Dr. Wickham's article Competitions and Cadets (Sept. Review) , as to the reluctance of both adult and cadet divisions to enter competitions and look upon them as valid methods ofinstruction and training, may I, as an ex-cadet and member of several winning and losing competition teams, offer the following: In both participating and observing competitions in many places, under many conditions, I have often seen that it is not just the standards of first aid and/or nursing that very often need to be improved and perfected, but also the standards of competition organisation and judging.
1. Judges generally that all .signs and ' symptoms (obviously excepti Ng temperature, pulse, dilation of eyes, etc.) should be realistically portrayed and dealt with as found (with many thanks to dedicated casualties) and yet they often accept that four chairs and two chalk lines on the floor of a school gymnasium can represent a car crash on the outer lane of a duai carriageway on a very wet August Bank Holiday, or something similarly gruesome. Elaborateness of incident should not be confused with difficulty of first aid Judges should use their imaginations to construct their incidents within the surroundings they have, and not add frills simply to show how crafty or clever they can be.
2. One judge's mark sheet can cover an incident in twelve parts with generalities such as diagnosis - 20 marks; disposal - 15 marks, whilst another details seventy-seven parts with specifics such as, checking eyes - 1 mark; opening stretcher -1 mark, etc. Is it no wonder that teams, win or lose, then dispute the value of their mark sheets as a standard of their ability or as a check for future practice?
3. One judge covering several casualties , or even one casualty in a complex incident, will inevitably cause points to be missed. Umpteen moves of th.e head t o check what is happening and then dleck his mark sheet is hardly conducive to continual , observance of what is happening. As many judges as each casualty or part of an incident require is surely not too much to expect?
4. All too often, competitors are expected to note changes in signs such as skin colour or suddenly produced signs (ie. bystander has heart attack - acting very good but no-one can produce all the possible signs from nowhere) If judges cannot agree on how much they are prepared to be asked on a diagnosis and how much can be re(f1,sonably expected to be seen then marks for same will continue to be willy-nilly.
5. Some judges interpret disposal as all but putting the casualty onto the operating table, while others are satisfied simply that you know
where the stretcher is. This, coupled with the artificiality of the time limit (the sound of an ambulance approaching in reality does not mean that you stop all work instantly) makes it extremely difficult to decide what is wanted from any judge and his particular incident.
6. Hand-written two-line instruction cards or a four paragraph three or four minute military briefing: what does one anticipate or need?
7. Those oh-so-willing 'stepped in at the last moment' makeup artists and casualties who, although public spirited, do not match up to the standards of the CU patients the judge and competitors had hoped and planned for. Not to mention the poorly briefed 'bystanders' and the 'I'm not sure where we go next' stewards. All combine to create a network of chaos that unsettles even the most determined participant.
- These comments are not isolated exceptions from my 'worst competition I have ever entered' school essay, but are some of the more annoying and often inexplicable of the many, paradoxes and confusions that I and several colleagues have noted over and over again
For unsuccessful teams to knock the system is to be expected; but if, as I have often -known, win!1ing teams and spectators provide or add to such criticisms then surely there is a need for concern.
Competitions can and should have a place in our activities. They should however be given the thought and care of preparation that such a place deserves because whilst such inconsistencies and lack of thought remain they will continue to be the butt of criticism and ridicule and standards will remain as limited as they are now.
Some must win and some must lose but please, please, let them do so with the odds stacked on their abilities and not on the fickle hand that holds the marking pen.
Finchley S. P Kelly
from J. E. Smith, Area Staff Officer
In East Sur-rey we have been rather dissatisfied with the numbers of entries for annual competitions such as quizzes, drills and for juniors, and the same applies to first aid and nursing. None of them seem to be serving the purpose for which they were designed, and the result here is that the good divisions are leaving other _ divisions further behind.
Calling on 'SJA
AT the Burma Star Day Display, held at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, on Sept 5, Earl Mountbatten called on SJA members on duty in their marquee and wanted to know how everyone was getting along. The Earl certainly looks in good shape too. Thanks for the visit.
The problem seems to be that many officers think that their divisions are of ins.ufficient standard to enter centrally - run competitions or to warrant the expense of transport. Yet on divisional inspections often the parades and standard of practical work are quite presentable.
In an effort to get over this situation all of our divisions have been informed that they have been entered for all competitions (except first aid and nursing), and staff officers are visiting divisions on their meeting nights on pre-arranged dates to hold to assess drill and to carry out junior competitions, visiting 2 to 3 divisions in one evening,
In this way divisions feel are participating without specific arrangements and resulting competition nerves
After every division has been visited it should be possible to pick a number to attend a final, to be held centrally.
If this is successful, we could then adopt the same system for first aid and nursing competitions for the Area round.
Betchworth
PROBLEM SOLVED!
from M. W. Harris, Area Superintendent
J. E. Smith
As first-aiders we are ' frequently rernindep of the need for improvisation. I recently encountered this in a completely new field. Whilst taking an adult first aid class I had emphasised the need for EVER Y member to be able to carry out mouth -to-mouth resuscitation in an efficient manner. I introduced Resusci-Anne to the class and demonstrated how we ·made use oCher, before inviting the members to come up ,and practise the technique for themselves. One man, seemingly embarrassed, sidled up to me and explained that he had an unusual problem - a cleft palate. He had had surgery when young but, he expained, there had been a breakdown in some of the stitches so that the closure had not been complete. Whilst it had virtually no effect on his speech , he told me that he could not blow up a balloon, bec ause as he forced the air from his mouth it simply passed out through the palate , and thence from his nose to the exterior. The same would occur when. attempting oral resuscitation. Clearly, he was going
Harrow Nursing Division : Esmee Salkeld
Northolt, Middx. R. F. Strutt
(Left) With Area Superintendent L Sarson, and (below) a chat with Superintendent J. Celoper, of Harston Cadet Division
t
o nee d th r ee arms if he was to do it successfully. As is s o often the case, a litt le thoug ht p rod u ced a simple solution to the problem. Wit h one leg stretched out in front of him, and with the nape of Anne's neck across h is thigh to maintain a clear airway, he u sed ONe h a n d to h old her head back and, at the same time, her nostrils" thus leaving his other hand free to pinch his own nose. Problem solved!
Hove
DIRTY"DUTY UNIFORM
from J. A. Lewis, ASO Hampshire Northern Area
M. W. Harris
EXCELLENT MESSAGE
from Kenneth F. Townsend
, I was glad to read (Sept Review) Dr. Cuthbert B-aI,'dsley's sermon at the CommernoraJiion Service of the Olider of St. John at St. Paul's Cathedral on June 26 and to see the superb portrait, alongside.
As I read, I could imagine that lovely voice, warm and SlnCe're from radio broadcasts , and your publication did much to compensate for not being present.
Having been involved in duties for some time and now Area Duty Officer, I always shudder at t he appearance of mem b ers at 'dirt duties' such as scramb les , grass track and mud events in winter and summer.
Our turn out incl u des smart u niform , all types of special duty ,uniform (the regulations are very loose) , cadets in ,either thin shirts or dresses and even nice new anoraks. You name it we turn out in it.
I fee l it is time we censidered how others see us. We need an allpurpose d uty uniform which can be used by male and fema:le, adults and cadets, winter and summer - and of modern appearance
Perhaps Review readers have some suggestions
Basingstoke
COMMUNICA nONS
from J. L. Springer, Divisional Superintendent
J. A. Lewis
May I suggest th-at we cele b rate o u r centenary year by moving into the 20th century in our organisation?
Deputy C-in-C Watlcin W Williams extols the virtues of b latera , trilateral, q u adrilateral divisio n s. The Organisation is based solid ly on se p arate, in viola bl e u nits.
As superinten<;ient of a C ombined Division I have to try to keep people sw eet by filling in two sets of BFls (despite line one on the back) . O n e Gause being that re q uirements for membership are not the same for al l mem b ers.
We are urg ed to examine comm u nications within our divisions
Recently the standi n g of St. John Ambulance in my region suffered some dimin utio n in t h is context. A client asked, at DistriGt level, for cover in m id-May An was needed. D istrict wwte a letter to Area, Area to Corps, Corps to Division - Division replied ' N o' to Corps, Corps to Area, etc; and so to another Area, where the letter stuck as the Area Commissio n er was on holiday. the Divisio n that could supply the amb u lance was ' asked on Thursday, J uly 4, to be at the ven u e on Saturday, July 7. Comm u nication s in du t y requests should surely be to the Division concerned and (if it owns an am b ulance) it should be left tQJ arrange cover?
Most divisions owning have arrangements with ot her ambu lance-owning u nits and can arrange cover between themselves.
So lon g as Area is informed that the incoming vehicle has been invited, it seems to me to be of no concern of theirs. Huddersfield John Springer
BADGE?
from B. A. K. Savory
As 1977 is o u r centenary year, perhaps a badge could be pr od iIce d for all Brigade ra n ks to wear if they wish? The b adge should be of a cl o th design - my su ggestion is enclosed
While on h e subject, perhaps the idea co u ld b e extended for a special design f OIi m em b ers attendilil g N€>tti n gharn next year?
D orking Comb ined Division
B. A. K. Savory
As members of St. John, like John the Baptist of old , we too have the privilege of finding faith and purpose in Chnst and of expressing these things in ONr service for' others May we ,ponder again this excellent message in the S,eptel11ber Review.
Brii ham Kenneth T. Tow1:!s end
THANKS, MATE
from J. A. Thorpe- Willett, Divisional Officer
As a retained (auxiliary) fireman at Filey I was called out to a large hotel in Filey during August when the place was full of guests I was driving the. second fire appliance and when we reached the scene I , Noticed a member of the public wearing the St. John Ambulance armband I sh0uted to him: Where are you staying?' 'He shouted back: - I'm from Bradford.'
As we went about our task my colleague kept say ing to me There ' s a St. John man outside , John.' (My first name is John.) I couldn t help feeling admiration for the St. John member knowing that he had been identified The fire was not serious, but if it had been I knew another member was outside to deal with casualties.
So I would like to express my appreciation to the member who was staying in Brookland Street, Filey , and came from Bradford. The fire was at about dinner -time on Saturday, August 28 , at the White Lodge Hotel , The Crescent , Filey. I believe he was going home shortly afterwards.
My theory is he heard the fire siren , donned his armband , and followed to the incident to see if he cO!lld be of help - true to St. J ahn Ambulance tradition. What more could you ask?
Filey J A. Thorpe-Willett
ENTONOX
from P. Howard, Divisional Superintendent
With reference to' the letter from Div. Supt. (R) W V. Savage (July Review) on the question of Entonox , ma y I as the officer respons ible for this duty add a few words to the write -up in the J anllary issue , which agree shows our member holding the face -piece to the patient _ this indeed was correct. The casualty , a man in his late sixties , had slipped off the kerb sustaining a fracture of the lower arm , while the othe r ann suffered a badly sprained wrist-as well as a dislocation of the shoulder. He was of course in no position to help himself, even to relieve pain , so the inevitable happened - a rule was broken for a moments - but the patient was saved great discomfort while bemg transfered into the ambulance.
The Division is very fortunate in having 'a good friend' who is a senior medical representative of the British Oxygen Company who spends 2 or 3 evenings a year with us helping in the training programme Combined Divis bon P Howard
WHY
from E. Mordey, Divisional Superintendent May I offer my explanation to D J. Davey of Warminster? (ReView , September 1976).
A lthough have not seen the 1970 edition of the Northants Year Book, I have seen later editions, and was interested to note that the p ubl ishers were the same as £or the year book of my own oO l!!Iil tyKent. Therefore , I suggest, it is a printer s (or publisher's) error. :'
NEWS from SCO TLA ND
THE ST. JO HN ex hibition during the summe r in E dinburgh , which closed on September 1 I , was visited by nearly 40 ,000 people Thi s number of visitors made it a great succes s , but it is al so gratifying to have heard noth in g but praise from those w ho saw it. Meanwhile , the work of the Order is being brought to the attention of the public el s ewhere in the capital. The Scouts A s sociation , w ho run the Ski Rescue Service has arranged a display in the window of th offices of a Building Society in Freder i ck Street. Some of their radio equipment has been supplied by the Order and t here is in the display a placard linking our name wi t h the ski rescue service
Mean w hile , members elsewhere in Scotland ha ve been ' working hard to raise money. A social evening held recently in the City Chamber s, Glasgo w, raised o v er £1 ,000 , and about th e same amount wa s taken by one of our stalls at a Farm Fayre' organised in Bathgate.
MINI BUS
SURREY 's Dorking
An
t ies allow
Under Superintendent D Godfrey who s uc ceed ed M, V. Slope the Division is fortunate in having a large number of keen youn g members who attend duties most weekends and weekdays
They now operate two vehicles. An elderl y Bedford J-t y pe ambulance which they c onverted to a mobile first aid unit rather than get rid of it at a low price; and a Ford Transit , short wheelbase , 12s eater that wa s pre sented to them by the Bonhomie organ isation.
The Ford was a minibus which the Divi s ion converted into an ambulance. The rear se a t s were removed and cupboards , one full height , the other waist high were built in th e, forward end of the van -space. Thi s left just enough space for a Ferno - Washingt Qn stretcher , one of the smallest on the market , to be carried. The
large clear-glass windows of the yans ection were covered with stick-on , patterned , transparent Fablon , which was £95 cheaper than fitting black glass. After two years use the Fablon is as good as / the da y it was put in.
As the vehicle was to be used with the cClunt y service special attention was gi ven of course , to exterior lighting; also it wa s fitted with a loudspeaker , system and a warbler siren. Two radios are carried, one working the St. John frequency the other the coun t y ambulance frequency. The vehicle carries a wide range of equipment , as can be seen the photograph
What did it The conversionabout £300 . The vehicle, ' which donated to Dorking, would be about (toda y' s prices) £3 ,000 new a good secondhand model ; £1 500.
Dorkin g Division who do ambulance trainin g the year round under two members who are professional ambulancemen , recommend the conversion of a minibus as inexpensive both in outla y and running costs.
News from Divisions/Centres
NORFOLK. Mundford's oldest resident Mrs. Laura Stannard, 90 enjoyed her role as patient on Mundford Division s float in the village carnival, Tending her is Mrs, K Porcher (left) and Mrs. -Y. Turnbull. Photo R. U G. Graves)
LEICS. Thurm-anston Combined Cadet Division 's cadets of the · year - Dean Sewel l, joint with Louis Or ton, and Junio r Lisa Vickerswith CSO Mrs G HartQ Pp (Ph oto Martin Tiernay)
ST AFFORD - After three years of operating a 6 - seater , dual -purpose Bedford ambulance, it clear to Stafford Combined Division that if they were to improve their service a bigger and better vehicle was essential. But despite many fundraising and much hard work, inflation kept defeating the Division s target until their fund-raising organiser Mr. G. Br oo.kes successfully negotiated with Stafford Round Table for them to buy and present the Division " with an ambulance, A Bedford Rawson ambulance was eventually acquired from a private source and the Round Tablers contributed a further £ 100 towards the cost of res pray and renovation.
With their own funds the Division bought two flew trolley stret<;;hers, one of variable height , the other fixed, After many hours of painting and refitting the interior, the vehicle was completed in time for the official presentation and Service 0[- Dedication on August 25, when the Round Tablers presjdent Mr. Murray Catterell handed over the vehicle's keys to D iv, Supt. P. J , Bennion in front of the Mayor and Mayoress of Stafford , friends and members.
OBITUARY
George Wilfred Brooks, former Superintendent, No, Area, Northumbria. Officer of the Order. Died Sept. 14.
Robert Curry, former Superintendent North Tyneside Corps, Northumbria. Serving Brother. Died Sept. 5.
Dr. G. Dowson, Chairman, Tyneside Association Centre. Died Sept. 4.
Mrs. Yvonne Ann Murray-Smith, Superintendent St. Relier Combined Division , Jersey Serving Sister. Died suddenly, aged 53 , Sept 19.
Dr. Thomas Murray Strang. Corps Surgeon, Nort.hamptonshire. Officer of the Olider. Joined Brigade in early 1930s as Su;geon to WeUingborough's Victoria Nursing Division.
BERKS. Over 70 Windsor cadets and jun,iors were on parade at their headquarters recently when they were inspected by the County Commander, Brigadier David Barbour (left, chatting to juniors) Windsor cadets have completed 700 hours of public duty this year The ,County CC'lmmander presented awards and welcomed new cadet members , (Phot,o : Windsor Express)
A diamond jubilee
VISUAL AIDS
REVIEW CROSSWORD No. 11 (76)
Across:
1 Changed rotas to prepare a joint. (5). 4. Its secretion is increased by emotion and by irritation of'tme conjunctiva. (4.5). 9. Diliection in which the precocious student nurse is heading? (7). 10: Chiropodist in service downstairs? (7). 11. Live wildly in' (4). n. I10les made in early stages of a craniotomy. (4). 13. The more impprtant army officer. (5). 16. Vet ran to an inn. (6). 17. Sex hormone which can produce no danger. (8). 19 : In good condition for an epileptic attack. (3). 20. Diet neither too heavy nor too light? (8). 21. Part of the back formed by the lumbar curve of the spine. (6). 24. A part of the act where the accident occurred. (5). 26. Very unusual association of artist and engineer. (4). 27. Disentangle without charge. (4). 29. Frantic confusion in heart condition. (7). 31. Torticollis. (7). 32. Maze in the petrous portion of the temporal bQne. (9). 33. Lawful possessor or new variant. (5). '
Down:
1. Meditate on' what the mirror does. (7). 2. Prevents regurgitation of blQod into the left ventricle during diastole. (6.5). 3. Prepared for the patient's dressing or meaJ. (4) 4. Weariness due to boring inactivity. (6). 5. Nerves conveying impulses to the spinal cord and brain. (8). 6. Melancholy m(;>od restricting vision? (5). 7. A Royal Mail member. (3). 8. Process of a nerve cell. (7). 14. Vessel in the neck. (7.4). 15. Metal in haemoglobin. (4). 17. First given by the S.J.A.B. (3). 18. Cheer for a part of a tooth. (4). 19. Protein in which 15 Down is stored by the liver. (8). 20. Be with tails twisted like an animal. (7). 22. His lured ships on to the rocks. (7). 23. Tumour. (6). 25. Reduces the chances of examination success. (5). 28. Novice from Troy. (4). 30. Watch free on board. (3).
Th e SJA Mulri -M edi a Appraisal Panei, which compris es docrors nurses , firsraiders and visu al aid experrs. is one of rh e officially appoinred. pan e s of rh e Brirish Medical Associarion. Irs re views are also published in rhe BMA /"njormarion '.
SPASTICS EVERYBOt>y;S CHILDREN
16mm film. Col 40
Distributed by: Concord Film Nacton, Ipswich.
Content: This film shows the work of Melbury House, a school for spastic children; it shows how their special educational needs are met.
Appraisal: The fi1m suffers from the fact that its objective is not Clearly defined; presumably it has bee n made for public relation purposes for exhibition to the general public but, if so, it is over-long. It'mightbe considered that the film expresses an over -optimistic View in its attitude to handicapped children inasmuch as the Home portrayed is obviously the ideal. Nonetheless the film is of sufficient interest to make the audience aware of the optimum that Gould be achieved.
General public but of specific interest to Social W-orkers and all interested in the field.
Distributed by: Camera Talks Ltd, 31 North Row, London W IR 2EN.
Content: This part of the series shows alcoholics within hospital units and details their individual stories.
Appraisal: The technique of portraying alcohoJics whilst the commentator gives their case histories is quite effective; it is perhaps reminisoent of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting , nonetheless it does have impact and shows there is hope for these unfortunates: Recommended.
Content: This film, made for an audience of boys, presents the changes of adolescence in boys.
Appraisal: This is a well -produced film, clear, logical and useful. The physiology of adolescence is well portrayed - diagram work is good and it is not mealy mouthed. Recommended.
Audience: Although fundamentally addressed to growing boys their parents could well see this film with advantage!
THEIR LIVES IN YOUR HANDS
16mm Col. 32 mins. Hire fee: £2.85
Distributed by: Town & Country Productions Ltd., 21 Cheyne RoW, London S W 3 2HP.
Content: This film shows some of the research into the causes and treatment of Leukaemia and gives detail of various fund-raising efforts that have aided the Leukaemia Trust Fund.
Appraisal: This production aims at two targets and misses both,. As a.n instructional film dealing with Leukaemia the technical techmque IS not good; that part of the film th art deals with Dund -raising is not terribly interesting either. All-in-all this production is a bit of a Hotchpotch , overlong and not too successful.
Audience: Not recommended for S.J.A personnel.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT.S
ADVERTISEMENTS
Driscoll Productions, Wood Cottage, High Corner, Butley, Nr. Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 3QF
Phone: ORFORD (STD 039 45) 548
Classified Prepaid Rates :
Semi-display £5 00 sc.i (min i mum £2 50) 8p per word (minimum £2 00)
Bo x. No 50p extra
Column Depth 10"
Process : Offset Litho
Copy Date : 8th of the month preceding publication
Publication : 1st of month
Agency com mission : 15%.
CH I LDRENS XMAS
SJ A ·CEN"FENARY YEAR
Promotion material
Letterheading: A special design for Centenary Year in 3 colours plus blind embossed, "1877 - 1977" and St. John log0. When ordered, these letterheadings will be overprinted with the County/Division address. Size A4 (8Y.ins. x 1 P/.ins.). Cost per ream (.li00 sheets): £.. (to be advised).
Envel@pes: Standard, white cartridge envempes the Centenary Year Sticker whi (;)h mepicts the world superimp€lsed lily the St. J@An AmbtIlance 1'11ag, alilm the wordililg, "St. John Ambulance Centenary Year 1877 - 1977 Charity No. 235979" in full colour, the envelopes themselves being @verprililted with the wording , "100 years in the ser:vice of mankind". Size: gI/2ins x 6Y2ins. Cost per 500: .£.. (to be advised).
Centenary Year Stickers: The same sticker
of the design will be availalille as
in
colollr on
paper ready for use by Counties and Divisi0ns wherever the
other env.el@pes, genepal circulars, elC:isting posters and notices, etc. Size : 2 Mns. x P/.ins. C()st per 100: £.. (to be Centenary Year Celebration Poster: "1877 - [977 - one hudred gl @ri0l!ls years in the service of mankind Help us to help- you for another 100 yeaFs! " A full colour poster depieting the world superimposed by the St. John Ambulance flag. Size : A2 (23 Yzins. x 16Y2ins.).
First Aid/Emergency Aid/General Use Poster: "Mummy!" - a delililerately heart- rending in full colo ur that is designed t@ priek the consciel'lee @f, not only parents , every@ne - thaf leaming first aid or emergency aid is a ciuty that, once learnt, Gould save a life. The Iilottom sectiGn has been deliberately left blank to allow for overprinting small quantities for different events or courses. Size: A2 (23 Yzins. x 16Yzins.). Cost: Free - state quantity require@.
Centenary Year Car Stickers: Printed in two colours on "cling" film and incorporating the full colour CenteBary Year Sticker , bhese car stickers are idea].
The following material and items are a\( ailable from tile Public Relations Dept., at Headqualtters, I Grosvenor €rescent, London, S W I X 7EF.
reminders to the public of the works of St. John Ambulance Incorporates the Centenary Sticker with the wording "St. John Ambulance Centenary - Help us to serve mankind for another 100 years". Size: 17ins x 3%ins. Cost: L (to be advised)
Centenary ¥ear Book Malches: Eye-catching 1il0@k matches that can be dist nigl!ltea YOl!lr regi@1il - in c\ufus, hotels and lecal events. Printed ilil filII colour and incorpdTaiting a synopsis of the histery of St. John Ambulance, these book matches are yet another way of sowing the seeds of knowledge and physical or financial support for St. John, Size: 3ins wide. Capacity: 40 matches, Cost £.. (to be adyised)
"St John Ambulance Bunting: Triangular, white PVC bunting overprinted with St. John Ambulance symbol. Twenty-fow flags on a 36 foot tape - ideal f9r indoor or outdoor functions. Cost per pack: £2.75.
Centenery Year Collecti@n Box Labels: For. use dUFililg any appeal or nag day ColleetiG)Iils ea€h year forFlil an impor ant J!lart of direot appeals to the puhllie for much -needed financial help Size : to fit existing collection boxes and ineorpo r ating the "world and flag" sym bol , in full coLour Cost: Free - state quantity required.
Centenary Year Advertisement: An advertisement publieizing Centenary Year will also be available for potential use by Counties/ Districts in local papers An advertisement is to appear nationally and it would add useful momentum to the overall Centenary Yea r campaign if backed·up by further regional advertising using smaller advertisements as the "theme" for annol!lncing your own local Centenary Year event or events. Sizes: Ijcm x :2 columns, 200m x 3 columns, 260m x 4 e01l!lmns, sizes and costs and det ail s on request. When ordering, wlease state whicm locallilewspaper you wish to use).
Centenary Year Sou venir Brochure: a full colour brochure tracing the history of St. John Ambulance from its inception to the da y, illustrating some of the many fascin-ating features and equipment from earlier days This Souvenir Brochure wi'll be of interest to everyone connected with the WQrks of St. John Ambulance as well as being in ended for resa le to the general public at fund-raising events. Size: (to be finalised), number of pages: 32 approximately, Cost: L (to be advised).
Commemorative items
Commemorative music: Scored
china, sp>eeially designed for St. John A.mbulance. On thilS fine bone china plate the Priories and CO mmamleries thfGugh0ut the world are showl'l in fmll col 0 ur interspersed wi h reserves 0f the
or picture. Stencilled canvas with wools for design OQly together with full instructions, Price: £4 .8 0 per kit.
Commemorative Tea Towel in full colour, depicting two worlds superimposed by the nag with St. John's Wort motif in each corner. Background col pur is predominantly royal bll!le. Price: £0,60
C@mmemorative Bookmark. A woven fatJric design once again repeating t he world and flag symbol. P rice: £0.60 each.
"The Dream and the Glory", A book by Barbara Cartland which is based on part of the history of St. John and for which the authoress is generously donating her world sa les' royalties to St. John, £0 ,50 per copy.
"The Seas 0/ Morning" by Geoffrey Trease. An adventure story for children about , S t. John Price: £0.65.
St. John's Wort. for cushion
N.B. All Commemorative Centenary items detailed ab@ ve will be iIlu s traled in the Centenary Gift brochure which will be ava-ilable shortly, London Di strict has produced a pair of hand -made goblets of Waterford, full-lead crystal; 51sins. high and 3ins across the bowl, with six oval facets on the lower part of the b0wl. fJlil graved on the goblet is 'Centenary 1877 - 1977' the Londhn District emblem, the SJA roundel and the St. John Cress. This is a limited edition of 250 pairs, each pair being numbered on Vhe base, in a prese!iltation ease alild a certi,ficate of authenticity. T mey cost £[ 5 a pa1ir (postage a nd packing extra) W. A. Hoadley , ILondGm District HQ 29 Weymouth St, London WIN 4DR. Make your ovvn centenary costumes • a rner<J<d' cbr<fsLrnas anD
OVEASEAS ORDERS PROMPTLY DISPAliCHED ANDREW STEPHENS (1947) COMPANY
Contents
In Focus: Review distribution p.265
Earthquake, by P. Truebridge p.266
Make your own costumes from these patterns, by Pame la Willis p.268
The Seas of Morning p.271
Around and About, by the Editor p.272
At Random , by Watkin W. Williams p.275
Princess Anne sees Brigade training p,277
Pressure sores by Kate Wilkinson p.278
Of mice and men by R. S. Dolan p 280
Music-makers of SJA Southwark p.281
Readers 'Views p.282
Order Investiture, Oct. 21 p.284
News from Scotland p.285
News from Divisions/ Centres p.286
Under £ 10 B ring-and-B uy p 288
EDITORIAL and ADVERTISEMENTS
Review Distribution
THE BROCHURE that was sent to all officers-in-charge of divisions in England and Northern Ireland about the 'new one-Review-to-every-division also contained a subscription form. The Review was to be sent to every division without completing this form, but about 100 members kindly returned this form (completed) with an annual subscription for one copy. A check with a half-adozen of these members has shown that some intended this to be their divisional copy under the new scheme (and hence they're now receiving two copies) while others intentionally ordered an extra copy, usually for the divisional officer. We must clear up this slight confusion. We are now keeping two distribution lists. One for copies ordered as annual subscriptions CSt John and nonmembers, including bulk orders at reduced rates). And two, the divisional list, which is one copy to every division and which in most cases is being paid for half-yearly through County Offices.
So will those readers who did complete and return the subscription form with payment please let Review Sales know whether this payment was for the divisional copy? If it was, we shall leave your name on the divisional list only but exclude you from collective payment through County offices. You will be reminded individually when renewal is due.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
From the Commander, Chairman of Council and all members in Kenya - Greetings and Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year to our St John friends in the U.K. and throughout the world.
UNDER £10 BRING-AND-BUY
On page 288 of this issue starts the Review's new Under £10 Bring-and-Buy, a service which we hope will be of use to readers.
I WOULD like to share with Review readers my experience of Wednesday, July 28 , and the following few days, by trying to describe what I saw in the city of Peking, where now live.
A few days before Easter, my wife Dianne and our two boys, Mark aged 3 years, and James, 4 months, arrived in the capital of China at the beginning of a 2-year posting on the staff of the Australian Embassy. At the end of April we moved into the apartment vacated by my predecessor, which comprises 2 bedrooms, lounge / dining area, kitchen laundry and bathroom, and is located on the 9th floor of a 15 storey block (in China the ground floor is designated as floor 1, so that by western standards we live on the 8th floor).
We were soon to find that one neighbour living across the lobby from us was Miss Lilian, a secretary at one of the Commonwealth Missions.
Life for me had been very hectic during the weeks following our arrival in China, as I was responsible for sev€ral major tasks which had to be completed by mid-June, in time for an official visit by our Prime Minister, his wife and a party of 20 officials, plus 25 representatives of the media.
In mid-July I took a week's leave in lieu of overtime. Our family spent the week at Beidiahe, a seaside resort on Po Hai Gulf, about 260Km from Peking, which is run by the Chines€ authorities for personnel of the Diplomatic Corps and Chinese Officials.
Dianne and the boys enjoyed Beidiahe so much that they decided to stay for the following week while I returned to Peking alone.
It was during this week, on Wednesday July 28, that one of the world's worst earthquakes, strength 8.2 on the open-ended Riechter scale, hit Hopeh Province of Eastern China at 17 minutes to four in the morning (local time).
I was awakened by the building shaking violently and swaying, and a tremendous roaring noise.
Realising that this was an earthquake, and a fairly strong one at that, I jumped out of bed, grabbed my watch from the bedside table, pressing the stop-watch button and headed for the boys' room. Before I reached the door I was rocked off my feet, onto my hands and knees. Scrambling ur> again I suddenly realised that the family weren't here - they were 260Km away in Beidaihe.
But I went through to the boys' room, where suddenly there was a brilliant flash, and I thought the air-conditioner had blown up. The flash was in fact ground lightning north of the city. I decided to open the front door of the apartment as an escape should things start to really break up, as cupboard doors were banging to and fro, and there were odd, alarming crashes. On the way to the front door I looked into E A R T H Q u A K E
PAUL TRUEBRIDGE,
Div. Supt. SJA Australia, but now living in Peking, tells us about the recent day that shook China
the dining area and noticed that the light fitting was swinging through an arc of 50 to 60 degrees. Rather than just opening the front door I decided to go out to the adjacent stair-well. But as I opened the door, our neighbour Lilian burst in - trying to pull a dress over: her head, very frightened, and asking what was happening.
Things quietened down as I helped Lilian with her dress and told her that we had just survived an earthq uake. I noted the time: one minute forty seconds on the stop watch, now 0345 hours. We were joined on the landing by a Japanese family from our floor and then an Americian family - Mr. and Mrs. Roger Burges, who had a 14 months old son and twins, aged 3 months, who live above us on the 12th floor. They had been feeding the twins when the quake started.
The Japanese man told us that another tremor could be expected in about 15 minutes. Mrs. Burges, who was not wearing any clothes, handed her baby to Lilian while she went back to their apartment t o dress. I also put on some pants, shirt, socks and desert -boots.
The party assembled again about 10 minutes later and we went down the stairs, arriving at the ground-floor as the first of more tremors came at 0358 hours (13 minutes after the quake). Lilian then discovered that we had put her dress on with
the side-zip opening over her head , with her arm through the neck opening! I moved the Australian Embassy bus away from the building and we made a comfortable place iJi1 it for the Burges' children to sleep.
Various estimates by fellow Diplomatic Corps members put the earthquake at about strength 7 for our area (officially later put at 7.2).
As there had been no noticeable tremorE since about 0500 hrs , I returned to the apartment at about 0600 hrs I had a shower and got dressed. I had made some coffee and was about to start getting breakfast when at 0730 hrs another violent tremor shook the place and started doors banging. I took tc the stairs and left the building again As ) was leaving the building the son of 2 Pakistani family from a lower floor asked hi 1 father 'Daddy is this earth made for on or shaking - I don't like it shaking - de you Mummy?' I didn't like it either.
The Embassy administration officer and decided to round up all the Australians frorr our residential compound and take hem te the Embassy compound. At about 0900 hn we heard that the people at Beidiahe had alsc experienced the earthquake but were all OK
A similar report was also received from oUI student s at Peking University.
Our Ambassador, absent from Peking at the time, was in Teinsin with the Leader 01 the Australian Parliamentary Opposition Mr. Gough WhitIam , his wife and party
During the morning we learnt that the visitors were safe , although damage tc Tiensin was reportedly greater than had beer seen in the capital.
At about 1000 hrs the Chinese authoritie1 requested that everyone living on the 5th 01 higher floors evacuate their apartments. I drove the bus to the three compounds with people to collect some belongings so that we could camp in the Embassy. r also learnt that our Canadian Americian and New Zealand friends Werf evacuating all their staff from the residentia: compounds to their missions.
At about noon my wife Dianne phoneci the embassy from Beidiahe to say that all the Australians were unhurt and safe. Believe me her voice sounded like music to my ears
Lunch at the Australian Embassy tha t day was somewhat unusual. The Ambassador was to have held a farewel l dinner that evening for the Whitlam party but in their absence the Australian staff, together with locally-employed Chinese staff sat down to the 12 course meal.
Later in the afternoon the AmbassadOl returned to the embassy and held a conference to describe his experiences while in Tiensin. We also learnt that the epicentre of the earthquake was at Tang Shan, a large industrial and mining city about halfway between Peking and Beidaihe, and some 60Km from Tiensin.
That evening, while we were sitting around the embassy foyer, the second major earthquake struck at 1850 hrs. As the seconds went by , and the shaking and roaring got worse, the Ambassador suggested that we leave the building I grabbed my first aid kit and headed for open space. As I passed the swimming pool several hundred gallons of water slopped its edges. This quake led to a deci sion to bring all Australians into the embassy, so off I went in the bus to collect the rest of our staff. This earthquake (which was recorded at 7.2 on the Reichter scale) had its epicentre a few kilom etres eas of the morning's shock.
On Thu rsd8Y morning the Chinese authoritie s o ld u s that it would b e impos sible to evacuate our people from Beidaihe because the railwa y runs through Tang Shan , in fact right over the epicentres
However , at 1100 hrs the embass y was informed that an air c raft with the Australians from Beidaihe aboard had just left a nearby Air Force base . I got a car and drove to Peking Airport, arriving in time to see the CAAC Boeing 707 landing
What a reuni o n! The Chinese officials made no attempt to sto p us from going on the t a rmac to welcome our families In fact the g round staff joined in the welcome.
The Australian Embassy was now playing ho st to about 45 Australians. On the Sunda y, the Chinese suggested that they would provide transport for those people from the Diplomatic Corps who wished to be evacu ate d from Peking. So at six o clock that evening we assembled at the airport and bo a rded a plane for Canton - leaving a part y of 11 st aff and two journalists in Peking.
After the usual overnight stay in Canton , we took the tr ai n to the border, arriving in Hong Kong late on Monday, August 2just before their first typhoon of the year. On August 19 I returned to Peking and the other Australians (including my family) returned on August 22 and we went back to our home ---'- ap a rtment 4, 9th floor , Block 10 ChiChiaYuan , Peking.
So much for our side of the quake. But how did the Chinese cope?
On the Wednesday afternoon of the quake it was quite obvious that thousands of locals were going to camp out whether from fear or instruction s, I do not know. Shelters of strawmatting, canvas and plastic were being hurriedly bui lt to provide protection from the rain which had started in the afternoon. A bed (Chinese style, with wooden ends , plywood base and thin mattress) is ideal for this type of shelter. You simply place a number of bamboo poles or stakes from the head, which is slightly higher , to the foot and cover with plastic sheet. The ends and sides can be filled in with strawmats.
B y Thursday evening some quite elaborate s helter s had been erected Each family seemed to take a space measuring 3 metres x 3 metr es, although some were much smaller. Peking is lucky in that on each side of the newer roads there are border s or nature st rips of 8 to 12 metre s wide. And it was on those strips that many people camp ed out. In the older Hung Tung areas people could rig up a shelter in their courtyard.
The speed with which these camps were erected hampered our initial assesment of the extent of the damage although some streets were closed - 'for s afety from the bu ilding '.
At least one bod y was seen to be taken to th e hospital and there was a noticeable increase in the numbers of people with dres sings on their heads , arms and legs.
Since my return to Peking I have been a ble to move around a little more and the streets and lane s of the older parts are full of piles of rubble , while in the main roads and
lar ger s tr ee t s there are grow in g st acks of new bri c ks.
r have se en at lea s t one place of ancient origin which had totall y collapsed pancakes t y le , while man y others have sections of wall missing. The Chinese authorities claimed that reconstruction of housing in Peking would be completed by their Nat io nal Da y, October 1 - 64 da ys after the earthquakes
From the very first we noticed the establishment of First Aid Posts at obviously pre -arranged sites. These posts were clearly marked by a white flag with a red cross On the Thursday and Friday after the quake we saw trucks distributing food to the people, which would be a fairly simple exercise in Peking as the vast majority of the workforce is fed every lunch time in a similar manner.
A credit to Peking 's health authorities is that there has been no outbreak of disease , although conditions have been ripe for any contagious outbreak.
FRESH FROM THE COAL FACE
Make your own costumes from these simple patterns
Part one: Order medieval costumes
by Pamela Willis, Curator library and Museum
THE approach of Centenary Year has brought many . enqumes to Headquarters and the Museum at St. John's Gate about the loan of costumes and old uniforms for displays and pageants. To meet this exceptional demand, a series of simple pattern blocks has been prepared from which Divisions should be able to make their own costumes. The three patterns shown here (others will appear in January and February Review) are of medieval costumes of the Order, which would make an interesting and dramatic addition to any pageant by illustrating the forerunners of St. John Ambulance. To follow will be the 1895 ambulance and nursing uniforms, and the 1922 ambulance, nursing and cadet uniforms.
Mrs. Lois Clark has kindly drawn up paper patterns on squared paper. These can be scaled up and cut out from newspaper or plain paper, and then laid on the material. The patterns have been sized to fit the average man (hospitaller and knight) and the average woman
(hospitaller sister). As the scale of the pattern is 1 inch = 1 square, it will be easy to adjust the sizing, as necessary. No detailed instructions for making up the garments are included, as the simple designs are not likely to cause any problems. But these suggestions for types of material, and yardage, will help.
Hospitaller Brother (Fig. J)
As shown in the painting by Pinturicchio, in Siena Cathedral , of Alberto Aringhieri, the costume of a Hospitaller brother (I2th to 15th century) consisted of a black under -robe, similar to a cassock, covered by a black mantle with an eight-pointed cross on the left breast. A black skull -cap was generally worn.
Materials
Mantle: 4 metres of 54ins. wide black wollen material. 3 metres of cord. 2 7-inch tassels. 2 covered buttons 1Y4ins. diameter. Cross: Y2metre of white wollen material (to match mantle).
Under-robe: 41/2 metres of 36ins wide black polyester material (not shiny) or cotton.
Skull-cap: Can be made from remnants of material used for cloak.
Hospitaller Sister
Before the loss of the island of Rhodes by the Order in 1522, the Hospitaller nuns wore a long-sleeved red robe with a plain white cross on the breast. After that time, as mourning for the loss of the island , the robes were black. Over the robe was worn a black mantle, with an eight-pointed cross on the left breast. The face was surrounded by a white wimple, which also covered the neck. The head was covered by a black veil.
Materials
Mantle: 4 metres of 54ins. black woollen material. Fasten with hook or button Cross: Y2 -metre of white woollen material.
Robe: 4 metres of 36ins. wide red polyester material (not shiny) or cotton; matching girdle belt.
Wimple: Y2 -metre of white linen or cotton.
Veil: 1 metre of nun's veiling (black).
Sister of the Order (12th to 15th
century) Scale: 1 square = 1 inch
Fig. 3 Knight of he Order , mi itary dress (12th to 1 3th century)
Knight of the Order.
Chain mail patterns. Scale: 1 square = 1 inch TrT,
Knight of the Order (Fig. 3)
Military Dress, 12th-13th century. The knight would have worn chain armour, and over it an Order tunic , or sopravest , as it was known This sopravest was red with a plain white cross on the front.
(The white cross on a red background was the Order's coat of arms and should be used on any pageant banner standard and shield The familiar white eight-pointed cross would not have appeared on a medieval flag or shield) A black mantle would have been worn
The illustration is of a Knight of the 15th century, Alberto Aringhieri again this time as a young man. The problem with trying to represent a knight of this period is the plate armour, which is not easy to simulate.
Materials
Mantle: Pattern and material as for Hospitaller Brother.
Sopravest: 2'/4 metres of 36in s wide red woollen or linen material.
Cross: 2 metres of 36ins. wide white matching material.
by
Chain armour: Can be repre sented in dishcloth cotton knitt ed in garter stitch wrong side out, or stocking stitch , on large needles The mail tunic is be st made with an opening down the front (which will be hidden by the sopravest) The leggings can be made in the form of fisherman's waders (stocking legs supported by straps attached to a belt). Thi s give s greater flexibil ity of sizing and saves a lot of complicated knitting! The sopravest can be made to cover any gap s , your Public L ibrar y ).
(suggest
a rough guide
After m a king up the garment s, they shou ld be sprayed with aluminium paint , and when dr y s pra yed a g ain with a dark gre y
paint.
ON SHOW
Ouse Area's new rescue boat
Tod ay' s resc u e c raf t
THE Lord Ma y or's parade in York on June 26 proved to be an op portune moment for SJA North Yorkshire Ouse Area's new river rescue craft to make its public debut as the theme for the parade was transport through the ages.
A great deal of thought and even more so , hard work , went into this year s entry , which culminated with Ouse Area being awarded th ird prize.
The entry depicted methods of transportation within St. John , beginning with the Pilgrims travelling on foot to Jerusalem , the Knights Hospitallers and Templars on horseback and a replica of the Santa Anna to today's rescue craft, a Flattercraft Force 4.
The galleon took many hours of preparation, members often popping in to lend a hand prior to going to other meetings and we were plea sed by the ready response from members of the newly formed ' youth Division - the York Central Division who assisted in manning the float. The vehicle on which the galleon was built was kindly loaned b y a local garage , who also set aside facilities for building it, much of the material needed bein g donated b y local firms
The Lord Ma y or s Parade was one of the larger events to take place during the triennial York Festival.
On this scorching hot day we had over 50 members on duty from mid -morning to midnight , both on the float and at first-aid
THE SEAS OF MORNING by Geoffrey Trease
narr a ted by Dick opens in London w t h Dick a nd his s chool friends training for the forthcoming anlilual Shrov e Tu es d a y football tournament for London schools, On e of the player s sutTer s severe injurie s w hen the y are set upon by butchers' apprenti ces a nd
racecourse where a gala was in
At the gala members dealt with over 60 casualties and during the festival as a whole our members attended
NEWD-G
The Director-General of the Association Branch Mr. Neville F. Marsh retired on November 4 The new D-G is Professor H. C Stewart, who is of course very well known in St. John.
Before his retirement, Mr. Marsh congratulated the Association Branch on the 100th Industrial First Aid Course carried out in September by the National Training Centre at 1 Grosvenor Crescent.
This training centre, which was started in 1970, was established to help and guide observers from Counties planning to set up their own intensive training arrangementsand has been attended by candidates from throughout the country, who return periodically for refresher courses. The centre has also trained HQ staff; and other personnel for North Sea oil rigs and for the Persian Gulf.
AS USEFUL
A St. John supporter who must be nameless recently wrote to the Chief Accountant: 'I'm covenanting £5. Because that's what I pay to a couple of rugby clubs and St. John is at least as useful as these!'
EMBASSY COURSE
Among the twelve successful candidates at a recent first aid course at the West German Embassy in London was the wifg of the Ambassador, Frau Renate von Hase. The Ambassador is a knight of the Johanniter Orden.
At a subsequent party held at the Embassy, the Commissioner for Lomdon Derek Fenton expressed his delight that this was the first time that St. John had organised a course at an embassy in London and thanked the Ambassador and his wife for the
AROUND and
ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ST. JOHN
personal interest they had taken and hoped that other embassies would follow their lead.
Among others present were the lay lecturers District Staff Officers F. Witch and C. Callaghan.
NOT RUN-OF-THE-MILL
London District's PRO Walter Hoadley writes:
It might have seemed that London District's conference for District, Area and Corps Staff Officers held on OGtober 10 would be just another ' run-of-the-mill' meeting to discuss that prosaic subject The Staff Officer.
How differemt the fact. After JDeputy Comm. Lt. Col. Payne started the conference, Derek Fenton, the Commissioner, set the scene. Reminding everyone that there is no syllabus for training a St. John staff officer, he then said what he considered to be essentials; loyalty, adaptability , and general ability. Staff officers are the middle management of St. John and ml!lch depends upon their efficiency One of their important tasks is that they must have, especially with London's present Corps structure, understanding of the position of the
Di vis io n a l Sup e rin te nden t - who mu st sometimes wonder to whom he is really responsible. While no final decisions have been made about how or whether to continu e with the present structure , Mr. Fenton felt that amendment or adjustment to i is neces s ary, even though this could not take place before January 1978 , which would leave London District with fewer staff officers but more effecti ve and efficient divisional superintendents.
An interesting contribution was the novel ' double-act' between Mike and Mick or more formally Lt. Col. Hobbs , MBE, Grenadier Guards from the Staff College and Supt M. Evans of the Metropolitan Police. Under their respective headings one dealt with the military requirement of training staff officer s and the other with that needed b y civilian ser vices ; and in a wellrehearsed manner each made po ints for the other to deal with. It was an ingenious method of presentation which pleased the audience of almost 100 , including guests from adjacent Counties. It was remarkable that both , echoing Derek Fenton , found the prime quality neces sary to be ' absolute loyalty to one's superior officer' or to those who issue commands from abo ve. It was also very interesting to note that while there are some operational differences between staff officers in the Army and Police , both were in complete agreement on the vital need for what now comes under the heading Public Relations. As in St. John , they felt it was vital for good communication between the service and the public , and from top to bottom of an organisation and the other way round.
Derek Fenton then introduced the C-in-C Major -Gemeral Desmond Gordon (whom he later accompanied to a demo in Londo lil ). The C-in-C first paid 'a genuine tribute to the Weybridge Division s new 13ft c10ry - all s e t for river rescue service. The Commissicmer for Surrey Dr. A R H Hicks (2nd from right) was at the dedication c eremony of the boat - named Sierra Juliet 88 (try hailing that) - by the Rev M R. Buckley
BY THE EDITOR
MIND BENDERS
I. Carry a swo rd
3.
A nswe r s U psid e down -a e at th e bo tt o m of p age 275. No cheating.
Staff Offi ce rs and o thers in Lo ndon for all the y do. ' It 's terrific and I am filled with a dmir at ion for everyon e ri g ht a c ro s s th e board , not onl y for the event s which hit the hea dlines but also for those that don t.
Spe a king about the Brigade a s a whole the C -in -C said that there are ever increasing demands upon our services and that 'If we are to retain the confidence of the public whom we ser ve we must be efficient. The Staff Officer can be the ke y to good organisation - he must be in the mind of his commander
He felt that equally important is our standards of fir st aid and nursing but there is a tendency to fall down on this ; 'the object of the National Finals is to raise the standard of F .A. and nursing and I would very much like to see more entering these competitions
On the excellent co-operation w hich exists in London between the Police and the London Ambulance Service he saw this as the key to the great work done by SJ A in London. I quote this to all Counties as I want all Counties to work in similar cooperation , as time spent in recognition of other services.is seldom wasted.'
One of the C -in -C's criticisms of the Brigade is its tendency to 'splendid isolation towards the rest of the outside world.' He believed it should be possible to bring others in from outside who would find in the Brigade opportunities to serve from Cadet right through to senior adult age. He asked everyone to consider how best this could be done.
( Ab o v e) DERB Y S D e rwent Ar ea Dronfield Ambulan c e Di v i s o n b e ing p rese nt e d wi th gh tweigh t stre tc her by t h e Eck ng t o n Po n y C u b
(Righ ) Plent y o inter es t the fel as on h e 8 - wee k s pub ic h o m e nur sin g co u rse org a ni se d by Sta f fs Bl yt h e B d ge Q ua d ril at e ral D vi s ion at tem p e at u e t aki n g time , d emon str at ed b y Nu rs ing Officer A ng ela Woolri ch. Div. Sup!. M au ree n Upton ( e h ) says th e div sio n s bo o m ing mem b ersh p in crea sing (Photo: Sta ff s S en ti n e )
He next dealt with 'the young and that St. John must do their very best to retain them, because they are the future of this country and of the Brigade Perhaps they are not getting the leadership they need.' As a Magistrate , he found that much of the trouble they caused is through 'boredom and their desire for kicks '. St. John offers a tremendous opportunity to them to do something worthwhile and 'I would like to see greater encouragement given to the younger members; rather than treat them in a brew-the-tea manner they should be given jobs with some responsibility ' He felt that in some cases the attitudes of older people towards the young needed updating Asking how life for them could be made more rewarding and attractive , he mentioned his own encouragement of adventure training and London's River Divisions
'Why can ' t we have sporting activities? Why not a County or inter-County football competition !'
On Public Duties he stressed that 'Officers on dut y must wear the white cross -belt and haversack so that the y cannot be mistaken for the Police ' . Another point is that 'we must en s ure that our impartiality of treatment is maintained irrespective of class, colour or creed .'
On uniform he said 'purely on the grounds of cost alone we have to find a new uniform because our ex i sting one is becoming prohibitively expensive. And that to this end we are going to have a fashion show with six models wearing new uniforms to get some idea of the reaction; this display will be repeated at the Commissioners' Conference in November.'
After such a feast of ideas and information the co'nference dealt with many items in an Open Forum session - in which centenar y publicity loomed large - before being closed by the District Supt. Mrs. D Hoadley.
FROM LUSAKA
Extracts from a letter recently received by Mrs. P. F Bell (Area Supt (N) , Doncaster and District Area South & West Yorkshire) from Mrs Margaret Cummins who went
with her husband and children to Zambia two years ago and is for the time being acting as Area Superintendent (N) in the Lusaka Area: St John in Lusaka has been keeping me extremely busy. The first week in August is our Trade Fair here and it's very similar to the great Yorkshire Show. Myself and the members fmm Matero manned the first aid posts in shift and rota order, and I was on duty the busiest days. From Friday to Monday August 9 we dealt with over 375 cases, both small and large. I was thanked
( Left) They met at Bexhill SJ Camp 1974, 8flgaged Xmas 1975 married Oct. 23 1976 at Warminster - N M Hilarie Lewis, of Swindon's Walcot Div, and ASO Graham Primmer West Wilts Area, They'll continue working with cadets, Their guard of honour was from Warminster Combined Cadet Division (Photo: David Wiltshire)
most generously by the casualties and everyone referred to me as 'sister'promotion no doubt; I had to laugh!
August 9 was a public holiday, and a large parade was held as it's Youth Day. Every youth in Zambia is present on this day; 6,000 school children paraded in school uniform, with the army, the police and army bands, plus us and all other voluntary organisations. It was funny as there were only two white faces on parade that day, myself and one other lady who was a teacher at a local school. We marched quite a long
President of Stevenage Lions Club Gordon hands over the keys of a first aid unit to County Comm , F, F Chapman, which s to be used by the t h ree SJA Stevenage Divisions - their first mob le unit. The Lions gave £600 and the caravan was converted by members. (Left) The Liolils chair<man trying thei r ·handiwork
TV's Lance Percival - here with AlComm, p, Greaves and CSO H. Baxley - headed the bill at the recent SJ Derbyshi re evening at Chesterfield's Aquar ius Club which put £200 into County funds Ma ny thanks, club and artistes
way to the Freedom Statue , where the President and other Members of Parliament were at the rostrum. The President took the March Past and made an excellent speech on Youth of Today. We all got a marvellous view, as we were seated straight in front of the President and that evening we saw ourselves on TV. On the afternoon of the same day we held a display of work. Mr. Chela , our Commissioner plus our Deputy Commissioner (Mr. Raval) and Members of Parliament came at my request and were very impressed by the work the members could do. So all in all it was a hectic day.
On Saturday August 21, we had a VIP visitor from St. John Headquarters in London. Mr. Watkin Williams came to see us, and he was delighted at the welcome he got from the members. Again, Mr. Chela and the Deputy Commissioner, plus the locals, came and viewed our display. Mr.
The Lord Prior, Lord Caccia , recently visited Royal Br erley Crystal the W, Midland s company which is produ c ing an SJA centenary goblet (1000 already sold). (L to R) Hereford and Worcester Deputy Comm Ken Bill ngham County President Lady Huntingdon -Whiteley Lord Caccia and County As soc i atio n Dir ec tor Sir John Willison
Williams took many photos, especially of the boys and girls doing the traditional songs and dances of Zambia.
The gentlemen took myself and Martin out to dinner at the Makumbi restaurant. It was a wonderful evening, and Mr. Chela (who is also the Inspector-General of Police and Minister of State for Home Affairs) said he enjoyed every minute of it as it was the only free day he'd had off for months.
Believe it or not , Mr. Chela recruited Martin to do most of his admin. work and fund raising for St. John, as you can understand he himself is a very busy man, always at the President's side at any events.
Mr. Watkin Williams remembered my face from Nottingham and Harrogate conferences , but never thought we'd meet in Africa! I was presented a beautiful St. John compact, Mr. Chela was given St. John cuff links and Mr. Raval (who has spent many years Kenya with St. John) got a St. John tie. Mr. Williams did us proud!
Weare now concentrating on preparing to build our own St. John House in Lusaka, somewhere central for all the members to reach easily. Already a plot has been found so now the task of fund raising begins - this is where Martin comes in (ha-ha). I hope I'm still here to see our achievement win through.
FILM
A new 16mm documentary colour film which should interest members is Foundation for Living, which has been produced for Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for the Disabled The film shows the unique services the Foundation offers to almost 1,000 disabled every year: for handicapped school-Ieavers , vocational trallllllg, workshop employment, holidays and convalescence.
The film is on free loan from: W. R. Jones (Deputy Director), Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for the Disabled, Leatherhead , Surrey.
BIRTHDAY HONOURS
We have just heard of two further members who must be congratulated for their Queen's Birthday Honours 1976.
M.V.O. - Area Staff Officer Ernest A. Day, Public Duty Officer for Mid -Berks Area , with 32 years'
1\1IND BENDERS (answers)
'Sp:lq IlllN '1> '41U1'lllM £ '1 4 lilg ]0
service, who ret ired recently as Chief Bookbinder for Her Majesty's Library at Windsor Castle.
B.E.M. - Area Staff Officer Victor O. Cripps , Area Training Officer for West Berks Area, with 40 years' service, for his services to the British Legion (he is chairman, Tilehurst Branch) and as Area Training Officer to the Brigade.
MALTA BOUND
I hear that 100 lucky Oxfordshire cadets will be going to Malta for their annual camp during centenary year , probably Mayor early June, County Secretary Sally Hardacre says the idea was mooted 'many moons ago' and now the dream is about to come true. Hope more SJ A dreams come true next year.
NIGHT OUT
I also hear that member John Yearsley found illmself an accident victim the other week when all he was really expecting was an interesting evening out.
But John , the sole male among a group of
members from Cleckheaton and Gomersal Divisions was merely being called on for demonstrations. The Divisions were visiting the premises of F W. Equipment Co. Ltd, at Town Gate, Wyke , Bradford , manufacturers and distributors of ambulance, first aid and emergency equipment.
John was asked to lie on the floor like an accident victim so members could see the orthopaedic Scoop stretcher in use - which literally scoops up an accident victim, without causing possible further internal injury. John also found illmself strapped up with the Frac Im11'l0biliser, a wipe-clean ready-made padded box splint with Velcro fasteners.
The group were shown much modern equipment and made constructive and interesting comments. They were shown round by Mr. Tim Rowe, Sales Representative and Mr. Leslie Harris , Managing Director.
Divisional Superintendent Mrs. Laura Pendleton warmly thanked the company for the visit and the refreshments! Hope John enjoyed them too.
AT RANDOM
by Watkin W. Williams Deputy Commissioner-in-Chief
THE BRIGADE Leadership Training Convention held at RMA Sandhurst on October 30 was a memorable occasion for the 500 members (most of them between the ages of 16 and 25) from many parts of the United Kingdom who had the good fortune to be present. As an observant 'fly on the wall' I thought it quite the best event of its kind that St. John has ever staged. The day started at 11am with a very inspiring talk by the Commissioner-in-Chief on Leadership, particularly in relation to the young on
whom the whole future of the Brigade depends Tills was followed by a fashion parade of six possible new types of ambulance uniform, compered by Mr. John Webb, and all present were provided with forms on which they were invited to record their order of preference. We then went out into the woods - and, though a bit soggy under foot, it was a glorious day of autumn tints and aut'umn sunshine - to witness a competitive demonstration by two teams (I11ale and female) from West Surrey , traine.n
AT RANDOM
(Cont. from previous page)
by Area Commissioner George Kirkham, who went round the RMA obstacle course on a first aid recovery exercise. They first had to cross a 'gian t stride' to reach their casualty, then, after performing essential first aid, immobilise him safely on a paraguard stretcher and convey him over a s€ries of natural hazards - fences , plank bridges, deep ditches - until they reached a point where he could be transferred to an ambulance It was a magnificent demonstration of practical first aid which could be carried out (with local adaptations) by any division whose leaders had an imaginative eye for the opportunities for bringing realism and adventure into their basic training. And - dare I confess it?the girls won by a short head!
The great moment of the day came with the arrival of Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne at 12.40 , and for the next 20 minutes all those present who have recently been involved in adventurous leadership training activities overseas, or are shortly to take part in them, had the honour of being presented to Her Royal Highness. 360 of the under 25's were then entertained to a sitdown lunch in Victory College dining hall , at which Princess Anne was the guest of honour , the overflow being provided with an excellent buffet lunch in another room.
The afternoon's programme started with four talks, introduced by Capt. Mark Tennant (HQ Staff Officer) by four Brigade members who have taken part in adventurous St. John activities during the past year. First, Martin Simmonds of Sittingbourne described his experienees as a member of the St. John team of 6 from UK who joined 6 from Canada to build a survival cairn in the Arctic last August; then Hilary Downs of Reigate gave a thrilling account of the Sail Training Association's cruise in the Malcolm Miller crewed by 39 St. John girls of whom she was one; next came Brian Hortop of Barry, who described the adventures of the St. John Inshore Rescue Service in Wales, of which he was founder; and finally, Keith Harris of Birmingham told the story of the boys Malcolm Miller cruise, on which - though he was too modest to put it so bluntly - he acquitted himself so well that the ST A invited him to come on a second cruise as Watch Leader, and he has received a further invitation to attend yet a third cruise next year as Watch Officer on the ST A staff.
In passing, it's perhaps worth mentionin 6 that Capt. Tennant , who compered this presentation, is himself no stranger to adventure. Not having been a cadet, he
join ed th e Bri g ade a s a n ambulance member on his 17th birthd ay and at once trained as an ambulance attendant. During the next 2 years he did man y hour s' Brigade duty as a v oluntary atterodant with his count y ambulance service and thus gained experience in dealing with casualties in a wide variety of emergencies During the same period he performed an all-day public duty on Lud g ate Hill on that bitterl y cold January day of Sir Winston Churchill s fun e ral. He then went to India for the best part of a year , originally hoping to do St. John ambulance transport duties in Delhi but ended up by working for the Ockenden Venture as a helper at a school for refugee Tibetan Lama children, where his experience as a member of a combined di vision caused him to graduate to become the school's unofficial 'matron'! He then joined the Scots Guards and for several y ears mad the experience of adventurous s e rvice in Berlin and Northern Ireland. No w, happily married and with a family , he ha s returned to civilian life in a job in the City of London, but his love of purposeful adventure in the ser vice of mankind has also brought him back to active member ship of the St. John family. Which all goes to show that though we may sometimes think we ve 'lost' some of our younger members when they embark on the adventure of life , if they re really bitten with the spirit of St. John and we keep contact with them, they ll some da y return to the family circle
Back to Sandhurst. The most outstanding item on the afternoon s programme was Chris Bonnington s talk on his Everest expedition , followed by a most moving extract from the film o f his team s successful conque st of the sumrrllt by the most difficult route that ha s ever yet been attempted. Hi s modesty his frankness , and the low ke y both of hi s talk and of the film itself provided a supreme example of those qualities of leadership that none could fail to admire and all were inspired to emulate in no matter how humble a way. It would have been hard for any sequel to this item not to have proved an anti -climax And yet George K irkham ' s final first aid demonstration staged and brill iantly executed by his West Surrey team, wa s an yt hing but an anti -climax ; it brought u s gently down to earth again, and brought one member of his team far from gentLy down from the top of a scaffold. But t mat was all part of the show , and a very good show too
The climax came with Princess Anne 's ver y brief concluding speech She had so obviously enjo y ed and been inspired b y all that she had seen and all whom she had met , and she passed on this inspiration to us in the words that she spoke , entirely off the cuff and straight fro m the bieart. The inspilia tion of that moment will long re m ain in the memory of all who had the good fortune to be present.
T he Seas of M o rn in g E lsewher e in thi s is s ue (p2 71) is a brie f a ppreciation of Geoffrey T rea s e s adventure story about the Siege o f Rhode s published on October 28. Havin g read it twice in type sc ript I enjo y ed it even mor e when I read it in its publi shed form and tha t's sa y in g a g reat deal. Though written for teen ag ers , it will b e enjoy ed b y all who are y oung at heart , for the author with his wellknown s kill ha s woven a really thrilling adv e nture story round one of the mo st fa scinating e ve ro ts in the history of the Order of St. John. T he main characters are of cour se fictional , but hi st or ica l characters are al so introduced with complete accurac y of detail. Reader s of a ll age s will find th e book , o nce started , hard to put do w n , and in the course of enjoyin g it the y will learn much about the history o f our Order with complete confidence in it s hi storical a ccurac y
Brigade Fo r ms
I have g ood new s for M r Springer of Huddersfield ( N ov Re vi e w p. 2 60) , though I feel that he w as a little unkind in suggesting t h at we should move ' into the 20th centu ry' with our BF 1s fo r combined di vi sions. No combined divisions existed in 1900 and the y were still rare in 1950 ; only in recent yea r s ha ve they become the norm in some couf' t ies and common in other s, while trilaterall y and quadrila te rall y c o mbin ed di vis ion s a re of mu c h more recent developmen t. It wo uld be irre s pon sible to al te r Brig ade form s until t he need for chan ge had b ec ome clearl y e s tablished , and when th e ch a nge is made th e details must be g ot absolutely ri&ht or confusion m ay become w o r se confounded He may take heart from the fact that 1976 is the la st y e a r in w hich he (or , ra t her , his di vision a l secretar y) will ha ve to c omplete separate copi es of BF 1 fo.r the different s ection s of hi s co mbined d ivis ion , fo r in centenary year a ne w BFl will come into use It will enable details of all members of any divi s ion (includ i ng quadrilateral divi sions ) to be recorded on a single form , with a con t inuation sheet if nece s sary. Thi s has been the outcom e of man y hours hard work on the part of the designers after consultation with a wide range of users. New forms are seldom universall y welcome , simply because they re different from what has gone before; but w hen secretaries have given the new B F 1 a fair trial, and provided that the y start filling in all that can poss ibly be entered at the beginning of the year and don't leave everything till the end I' m sure the y will find that (even if it s not yet the perfect solution) it will m a ke their task easier than it was before.
In addition BF/ BXR (adult divisions' ree x amination report) has been g rr eatly simplified, which will undoubtedly bring joy to the hearts of many divisional secre t aries and examining surgeons!
Princess Anne sees Brigade training
PRINC ESS ANNE, C om ma ndan t -in- Chief of SJ A C a d ets, s pent a d ay with 500 you ng Brigade membe rs who att end ed a le a der sh ip
Pressure sores
Understanding how and why they occur, will help to prevent them developing
ANYONE who has nursed very ill or bedfast patients will be a ware of the high risk nowadays of their developing pressure sores. This high incident of pressure sores is partly due to relatively recent advances in medicine, especially in the widespread use of antibiotic therapy. Some twenty years ago those confined to bed beeause of old age or illness rarely lived long enough to develop pFessure sores! Today, with the widespread use of antibiotics, such patients do not succumb to infections as they used to, and as a result many of them are confined to bed for very long periods. This type of patient is frequently referred to by doctors and nurses as being 'High Risk' patients likely to develop pressure sores. Recently there has also been a change of emphasis within the National Health Service - a move awa,y from keeping patients in hospital for long periods. They are now discharged home to the care of the district nurse ,.rho relIes heavily on the patient's family and trained volwnteers.
It is essential, theFefore, for the home nurse to understand how and why pressure occur, and so help to prevent them developing.
What are pressure sores?
Put in the simplest terms, pressure sores are areas of damage to the skin or underlying tissues caused principally by unrelieved pressure.
It is essential before approaching the problem to understand that there are two quite distinct forms of pressure sore. Firstly there is the simple pressure sore , and secondly, the decubicutus ulcer, which' is much more dangerous and is often called a deep pressure sore.
Simple pressure sore
This type of pressure sore, which everyone has experienced , is caused by faulty skin technique. They are similar in many ways to the blister formed on the heel by ill fitting shoes. In nursing practice this form of water blister' is often found on the sacrum, hips and even elbows. The area of damaged skin is restricted to the area subjected t@ presstire, and the surrounding skin remains reddened but healthy. They are superficial sores, and break down into shallow lJlcers
by KATE WILKINSON,
SRN, RNT, ReNT, DipN(Lond.) Derbyshire, Peak Area Nursing Officer
The contributing factors to the development of this type of sore are well known to home nurses, namely, poor bed making (creases cause excessive pressure), crumbs in the bed, and pressure from tight bedclothes. Decomposing urine is another common factor - since reaction of urine is usually acid, which acts as a skin irritant, and excoriation of the skin occurs. Finally the effects of unrelieved pressure on the skin is an important factor These pressure sores are usually easy to heal if good nursing techniques are used.
Decubicutus uIcer
This type of pressure sore may occur without faulty skin technique, and is to massive tissue necrosis (or tissue death). The cause is slightly more difficult to understand.
Fig 1 Hip region showing nor mal blood supply to skin and muscles
Fi g. 2 What happens when pressure is a(.'Jplied at arrow A
Fig 3 Show ing the effects of the shearin@ force on b lood supply
The first sign is that the patient may s uddenly become weaker, and the nurse may find the skin has broken down. A large hole appears in the skin, which often exudes a foul smelling discharge. The patient can be seriously ill ; and not infrequently dies.
How are decubicufus ulcers caused?
You will recall that all the body's oells require a constant supply of oxygen and food materials to work effectively and to live Oxygen and nutrients are carried to the tissue by the blood in blood vessels. You may also remember that the skin, muscles and bones have their own blood supply.
Deep pressure sores occur when the deeper blood supply is cut off through pressure to deep lying tissues (Fig. 1).
Let us now see what happens when pressure is applied to the area of the buttock
and hip (Fig. 2). The greatest pressure occurs at the point indicated by the arrow A. This force is technically called a compressing force'. It is the sum total of the weight of the patient from above and the resistance of the bed's base from below (Compare this force for yourself when sitting in an easy chair and a dining room chair).
The force inflicted on the hip and buttock markedly reduces or cuts off completely the blood supply to the muscle, and the area indicated receives no oxygen or food and thus dies. The skin blood supply remains intact, due to the many superficial vessels which supply it. The area of necrosis continues to enlarge without visible signs from the outside. The second way a decubicutus ulcer can arise is through a 'shearing force'. When patients lie in bed they have a tendency to slip down the bed. Fig. 3 shows what happen s to the blood vessels when this occurs.
The superficial layers of the skin stay attached to the bed , but the weight of the bod y forces the deeper structures downwards. (This effect can easily be demonstrated by pressing the flat of the hand onto a flat surface and pushing the hand backwards and forwards. The skin stays attached to the s urface; the bone s of the hand and the deeper structures move). The effect of the shearing force is to over-stretch or kink the blood vessels so that the area beyond the damage again lose s its blood supply and dies. There is no indication from the outside that this process has occurred, until the tissue death is well established, and the skin eventually breaks down
How can pressure sores be prevented?
Having learned how these sores arise , we are now in a better position t6 prevent them .
Identification of patients at risk
All patients who spend a great deal of time in bed , or in a wheel chair are of course at high risk , but some are more at risk than others
The very thin, since there is very little flesh between the skin and the bones and so they do not have a 'cushion of fat' to protect them. The obese, because adipose tissue (or fat) has a very poor blood supply, and the obese patient is very difficult to lift and often reluctaFlt to move on his own, so that the shearing force and compressing forces are greater than ever.
The patient who suffers from circulatory failure; if the circulation is poor to start with the possibility of a reduced blood supply to an area is increased.
The patient with pneumonia, who may wel'l ha ve a reduoed oxygen content in the blood, so that many of tme tissues suffer from lack of oxygen, especially those areas subjected to pressure.
Fig. 4 Pressures a patien t nursed flat is subjected to Malnutrition is also an important factor in the development of pressure sores. Protein is needed for body building and tissue repair; Vitamin C is essential for resistance to infection. If there is a deficit in the patient' s diet he is at 'high risk '.
Relief of pressure
'Low pressure maintained for long periods of time produces more tissue damage than high pressure for short periods of time' (Husain). Since we know that pressure is the main cause of pressure sores , the relief of pressure is vital. The best method of relieving pressure is to change the patient's position frequently - two hourly if necessary. The normally health y bod y protect s itself by frequent small movements. (How man y t imes have you made minor adjustments to yo ur position while reading this article?)
During sleep the body makes many such movements to protect itself from pressure. The paralysed or ill patient cannot do thi s for himself so the home nurse must make these flne adjustments for him. It is often useful in the home to work out a 'turning chart' of positions to be used when nursing the patient. Such a chart has certain advantages. Firstly, one can arrange , with a little forethought, to have the patient in prearranged positions, eg, sitting upright for mealtimes, while at the same time ensuring that the left or right side is not undul y exposed to pressure. A regime of turning can be worked out, and neighbours can be mustered at pre-arranged times to help with turning. Other methods of rel ieving pressure should be employed as required , eg, bed cradles a nd bed s.
It is also necessary to remember that the position in which the patient is nursed will subject different areas of the body to pressure. Thus a patient nursed flat will be subjected to pressure (Fig. 4).
General nursing
The free movement of all patients in bed is desirable and should be encouraged. Bed
clothes sho uld be light and loosely tucked in.
A bed cradle is useful and an overhanging chain .can be fitted to the head of the bed so that the patient can help to lift himself up. Overhanging chains can be obtained from the Di st rict Nursing services.
A high protein diet, with extra Vitamin C should be given. If the patient 's condition allows extra fluids should be given. Care sho uld be taken when lifting patients on to bed pans since damage to the skin may occur through rough handling
Good hygiene
The sk in should be kept clean and dry It is unnecessary and indeed detrimental to the skin to rub it vigorously. Friction results fr om ove r -enth usia stic rubbing and frequently a 's hearing force is set up over the area, and blood vessels can be damaged. The practice of rubbing soap into the skin should also be discouraged. Soap will act as an irritant and will serv e no useful purpose It is far better to wash the area gently with soa p a nd water and dry thoroughly. A light dusting of talcum powder is pleasant for the patient. Barrier creams are useful if the patient is incontinent, but should be used with care.
Good lifting
Correct lifting technique is a vital factor in preventing pressure sores (a nd also for preventing backache in the nurse). When changing the patient 's position it is imperative that the skin surface be Jjftedfree of the bed. Dragging' the patient up the bed will cause friction and thus superfic al skin damage. Finally early ambulation is desirable for all patients. At least some effort should be made to sit the patient out of bed for a short period each da y if possible. This has three important advantages. Firstly , a change of scene raises the moral of the patient. Secondly, the area subject to pressure is different when sitting in a chair. And thirdly, the empty bed can be aired - and bedmaking is more efficient with the patient out of bed Pressure sores can be prevented with good nursing care, and it is unnecessary to subject an ill patient to the added discomfort and danger of developing pressure sores
• of mice
and men
THE FIRST we heard of 'BiII' was when I attended a lunch at the Horley Rotary Club BiII, a Rotary vice-chairman, had gone on a 4-day holiday with his wife to Bayeux, France. On the second day he suffered two minor heart attacks, closely followed by a third which was so strong that he was rushed to the intensive care unit of a local hospital.
The Rotary Club heard of his plight ten days later. How was he going to get home, they asked , when he was from hospital? Bill weighed 16 stone, wore a surgical boot (one leg was shorter than the other), he did not drive - his wife drove him everywhelie - and their car was small.
A problem indeed. And to add to it, there was no information as to how had gone to France - by plane, car, or ferry with French friends picking them up the other side? I was asked by the Rotarians for advice on how he could be bfDught home. I suggested that this was obviously a job for St. John Ambulance. With the Air Wing, air attendarlts and Aeromedical S€rvice, we should be in a position to illarldle any eventuality.
Two days later, with a phone call to his wife Sybil in France , our services were gratfully accepted. Sybil had been at her wits' end trying to find the best way of getting Bill home. She had tillought of returning to England for their ear (they hadn't taken it) to go back and fetch Bill. I pointed out what this would mean: she would have problems with his weight; they had no first aid training; and supposing he had another attack on the journey? Sybil was convinced - and handed over to St. John. Later she and BiII told \lIS that they never realised SJ A undertook such services. Meanwhile I was instructed by the Rotary president to set the wheels in motion.
The situation: We had a 16-stone man with a heart condition in the intensive care unit of a French hospital. His current condition was unknown to us, for when we rang the hospital no one available could speak English. So I phoned George Wood hill at for his advioe al'ld the availability of the Air Wing. Flying was out of the question, I was told; it is inadvisable to fly a patient at pressurised height within six
280
The problem of getting Bill home turned out to be a saga of the unexpected
by R. S. DOLAN, PRO Surrey
weeks of a myocardial infarction. Through the Air Wing a private aircraft could be laid on to fly BiII home at low altitude - but the cost would be about £800. There was a small airfield which could be used at Caen about 10 miles frolin Bayeux. But was he insured to cover the cost of the flight? A phone call to Sybil, who had returned home, told us he wasn't insured - they hadn't bothered for such a short holiday. And 'the latest on Bill's condition was that if he contirlued at the present rate he would be transferred to a ward in two days. And with hospital beds at a premium, prompt discharge would then be expecte@
Although Bill was not insured the Rotary Club wanted him back despite the £800 for an aircraft. But was their an alternative? Bayeux is 60 miles from Cherbourg. Why not a French ambulance to Cherbourg and we would go over on the ferry from Weymouth to pick him up? London told us that privately-rum French ambulances cost £8 a mile - £480 for the 60 mile journey! Why not send an ambulance to Bayeux? we thought.
Meanwhile, a phone call had been made to Peter Lawrence, District Governor of Rotary 114, and through him Rotary International contacted the president of Bayeux Rotary Club - who spoke English and arranged to visit Bill and supp ly his essential needs He also told Bill of St. John involvement and that he would be Home soon - somehow We learned from the Bayeux president that Bill's possible discharge date would be Wednesday, September 29. We had four days. The rlext call was to the SJ A Surrey County Transport Officer, Major L. Croton, to whom I put the plan of serlding an ambulance to Bayeux. He agreed, and we decided the following was needed: An ambulance with a physically strong crew (because of Bill's weight) and a nurse , to make the round-trip from early morning till late evening. The ambulance would have to carryall the necessary equipment, ie, aspirator, resuscitator etc.
A call to Sealink in London confirmed that a booking could be made for the ambulance on the 9.30 a.m. ferry from
Weymouth. It was at this stage that we decided to ask Weymouth Division to take on the job. It was then discovered that with only one ferr y a day each way from Weymouth, the ambulance would be an hour late for the return crossing if the journey was to be made in one day
Another rethink : We would need an ambulance for at least two days, and longer if Bill's condition suddenly changed for the worse and delayed his discharge. And as well as carrying all the necessary equipment, Bill 's home doctor advised that we try to get a doctor, or at least an SRN, to travel with the ambulance.
Caterham Division seemed to be able to fulfill all these requirements, and after discussion with the County Transport Officer t he Di vision was approached. ASO S. Latham (former Caterham D/Supt and honorary Rotari a n) would maintain a 24hour phone contact for the ambulance in the event of any crisis. Caterham Division would supply ambulance and crew for three days, if needed , and their Div. Supt. Rodney Bain would be one of the crew. We were unable to get a doctor but a phone call to Derek Clark, of the SJ A Aeromedical Service, arranged for ANO Miss Telling, a sister at a Salisbury hospital to join the crew. Sunday arrived and there was still no cOlilfirmation of the discharge date or further information on Bill's condition. His wife phoned me to say she was thinking of flying to France, could she return with the ambulance? Diplomaticall y , she was told that it would be better for her to stay at home and keep his doctor informed of Bill's imminent return. (Those who do regular ambulance duties will appreciate the possible complications of the suggestion by Bill's wife).
On Sunday evening we heard fro m the Rotary District Governor that Bill would be discharged on the following Wednesday, and that Bayeux Rotary had arranged for him to be transported from hospital to Cherbourg by a French ambulance which would meet the 2 p m. ferry!
So ol1r ambulance would not have to go to France, after all, although all arrangements had been made. But a call to Sealink as to
what sick-bay facilities there were on the ferry convinced us that the ambulance would have to go on the ferry, and for Bill to be transferred to it from the French ambulance in Cherbourg. As the ambulance was to travel down from Horley on Monday evening, to leave on the a.m. Tuesday ferry, Div. Off. A. Cotton of Weymouth Division not only arranged accommodation for the crew on Monday night but also liaised with Sealink and Customs authorities at Weymouth. In the event of Bill's condition suddenly deteriorating on the 134 miles journey from Weymouth to Horley, a list of hospitals en route was supplied to D/Supt. Bain.
The ambulance set off from Caterham at 5 p.m. on Monday, and shortly after collecting Miss Telling from Salisbury the inevitable happened - a pipe fractured in
Music-makers of SJA Southwark
THE Southwark Corps of Drums , SJA, was formed in 1954 by C.130 Southwark Ambulance Cadet Division and consisted of six shallow pattern side drums and ten Bb trumpets. From then until 1967 there was little change in the band , which performed at a few church parades and open evening displays.
In 1968 the present Bandmaster David Minney, took over and during the next two years there was a complete re-organisation of the band. 1970 saw the change from Bb trumpets to Eb, together with the purchase of a bell lyre , whic h greatly improved the repertoire of the band. Also it changed its name to C. I 30 Southwark Drum & Trumpet Band.
1973 saw the introduction of girls into the band mainly because of the difficulty of recruiting bo ys, but this situation has since changed. With the aid of a grant and a sponsored walk the band was able to purchase a second bell lyre , a new bass drum, two new tenor drums and a oomplete set of Eb trumpets.
In 1974 a move was made to obtain a special band uniform , as it felt at a disadvantage at band contests by wearing the working uniform of the Brigade. An application for this to Brigade Headquarters was rejected, but six months later it reapplied and was successful. 1974 also saw another change in the band s name , this time to 'The Southwark Corps of DrumsS.J.A.' The reason for this change was that there was an independent band in the area
the ambulance's automatic drive system!
The RAC sent a breakdown vehicle from Blandford but repairs could not be made till the next morning D/Supt. Bain contacted the local police and Dorset Constabulary arranged transport for the crew and the equipment to Weymouth.
Next morning meant another change of plan. A cabin for the patient was booked for · the return journey, and D / Supt. Bain and Miss Telling boarded the ferry with the equipment, while T/Sgt. Newlan returned to Blandford to supervise repairs to the am bulance
The ferry arrived at Cherbourg at 2 p .m., and D /S upt. Bain and Miss Telling went ashore to meet their patient. Bill was in much better condition than expected, and with help from the Sealink crew he was taken aboard the ferry in a carrying-chair. They sailed at 3
p.m. and after a calm and uneventful crossing arrived at Weymouth at 7 p m ., to be met by T/Sgt. Newland with the ambulance. After Bill had been transferred to the vehicle , customs formalities were completed in the ambulance.
As Bill's condition was so satisfactory it was decided to drive him straight home, taking Miss Telling to Salisbury en route. Bill arrived home safely soon after midnight, where his very relieved wife and doctor were waiting for him. The ambulance arrived back at its Caterham base at 1.30 a.m.
Plans of mice and men , you might say But this does show how different branches of St. John can work together with other organisations towards one goal, but flexibility is essential if that goal is to be reached satisfactorily. Which in our case , involving Bill and his wife it was.
called the Southwark Drum & Trumpet Corps.
For the first time in the history of the band it was invited to take part in the annual Lord Mayor's Show in London and also the annual St. John Day Parade at St. Paul 's Cathedral.
1975 saw a full year of engagements for the band and during the spring and summer it appeared at least every other weekend at fetes , carnivals and competitions. In September 1975 the Royal Air Force invited it to take part in the Biggin Hill Air Show which was a great honour, as it played alongside the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and the Massed Bands of the Kent Wing A TC. In October 1975 it took part in the Greater London, South , Scout Band Championships , taking 1st place in the Champion of Champions, best Trumpet Section , and runners-up for the Best Drum Major, Best Drum Section , The Invitation Cup for Non -Scout Bands and the Solo Trumpeter award.
In 1976 once again it had the honour to lead the cadet contingent at the annual St. John Day Parade in June , a fact not mentioned in the August Re v iew. The RAF also invited it back to give a display at the
Biggin Hill Air Show and the y have asked it back next year.
Competitions entered during 1976 proved quite successful. The band won the best drum section at the Islington competition, with 3rd prize in the solo trumpeter award. And it again won the 'Champion of Champions ' at the S.London Scout Band Championships, also the Invitation Cup, Best Trumpet Section, and Best Solo Trumpeter.
The band now has a League of Friends who have raised money to enable it to buy new instruments and equipment. At present on order are new trumpet banners which include the Southwark Corporation crest, an honour bestowed on the band in 1975. The band practises two nights a week, from 7pm to 10pm, under the bandmaster and three instructors All the bandsmen and women are fully qualified Brigade members from the various Di vis ions within the Southwark Corps, and include six Grand Prior 's Badge holders. None of them are Auxiliaries.
Further details about the band can be obtained from Sgt/M ajor D. J Minney 12 , Aragon Road , Morden , Surrey , SM4 4QE. Phone 01 - 337.6778.
DIVISIONAL FUNDS
from Mrs. E. M. Martin, Divisional Superintendent
If the suggestion in At Random (September Review) means what it appears to say, it should have many opponents, amd not all of them diehards.
If all the funds in an Area are in a single account how can any division budget, not knowing how much money is 'ours ? Would we have to ask some central/area treasurer if we can be allowed to buy uniforms or equipment? I doubt if the aforesaid treasurer would be very happy about this job, and the divisions would certainly not be happy to lose their financial independence.
Dare I suggest that even in the Brigade there are some who will not help themselves, as well as some who cannot? Are those who work hard on Flag Days to be forced to subsidise those who can t be bothered? Why should they, if they have access to others ' hard-earned cash?
There are obviously a few divisions who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. If they are to be helped when help is needed, could there not be some central 'cushioning' fund produced from a small levy on all divisions?
Lastly, does the money have to be hoarded at low interest rates? ] s it not possible for Area Treasurers to offer advice about investments? (I refer to the vast sums some of us are supposed to have).
Finchley, NI2 E. M. Mart in
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW from an SRN
I am an SRN and officer i/c of a division with respOI'lsibility for running classes, but have difficulty in getting a doctor to conduct first aid classes.
I would like to know if an SRN takes priority over a lay instructor in giving a doctor's lectures? And if 1'1Ot, why not?
An SRN is qualified to conduct nursing lectures without a lay instructor's certificate and also comes into the same category as a lay instructor in first aid class regulations.
I theref(')re feel that if a lay instructor is authorised to give doctor's first aid lectures then an SRN should also have the right, if not more so, as I consider an SRN to be more qualified than a first-aider with a lay instructClr's certificate, who has little knowledge of medicine, if any. East Midlands An SRN
Editor: I am informed by Professor Harold Steward, Director-General of the Association, that para 4 of Regulations for first-aid classes clearly and correctly places a State Registered Nurse before a lay instructor in the list of 'Qualified Persons' and ·also makes clear that approval and final decision rests with the County Director.
PLEASE?
from Mrs. A. Cable, Divisional Superintendent
Will the Brigade please organise a c(')mpetition for teams consisting of any rank?
As a Div. Supt. who considers competition work to be the best training there is, in the absense of the real thing, of course, in order to train my cadets to the highest standard possible I need to be kept up to this standard myself, and I feel that competition work plays a vital part in this . Three other officers of cadets and myself want to enter competitions, but because we are all seconded from the same adult division we cannot.
All of us, (')fficers or not, benefit from working in a team , and after all it is the diagnosis and treatment of injuries that matters, not how many pips the team has got! Edmonton, London A. E. Cable
READERS VIEWS
Reader's views and OpiniOnS, which should be sent to the Editor although published are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor or the Order of St. John and its Foundation. Although readers may sign published letters with a pen-name , writers must supply their name and address to the editor.
RECOGNITION
from David Hunter, Divisional Officer
Clive Bradley (Sept. Review) has made a very useful observation on the problems of recognising Brigade mem bers.
During the student demonstrations (October 27 1968) officers were in fact issued with a white plastic cap cover to facilitate eas y rank recognition as well as to identify them to the public
I have found the white haversack at times very restricting , as well as uncomfortable when worn for long periods. I should point out that I joined the Brigade as a cadet and have come up through the ranks of the adult division having worn the 'bag and bottle (enamel) ', and can draw on 12 years experience.
In conclusion , a cap cover similar in design to the w aterproof capcover, but obviously in a colour that is easil y seen , would ensure better recognition of a Brigade member in a crowd , easier observation in dangerous circumstances or poor visibility.
The cap cover would , I trust, resolve the problem of wearing the haversack in a danger zone I usually wear a white boiler-suit and a reflective red jacket when involved in particularly dangerous conditions.
Lenham, Kent Da vid Hun ter
AWARD FOR JUNIORS
from David Hearne, Divisional Secretary
I am writing as an ex-junior, then cadet and now ambulance member helping im rumning Windsor Cadet Division.
During two years as a junior I watched qualified cadets winning efficiency awards and cups for first aid, etc. Then as a cadet I won some of these awards, but still the juniors looked on So when I passed my adult first aid exam and associated myself with the cadet division (I was formerly a Slough cadet), I put it to the superintendent that we should introduce an award for juniors.
This year saw our division introduce The Top Junior Award for the junior showing the best efficiency attitl!lde to instruction and attendance H is awarded at the end of each school term. Our first winner is Derek Shakespeare, aged 9
I hope other cadet divisions will follow and give St. John juniors something tangible to work for.
Windsor David Hearne, age 1712
all Brigad e pe rsonnel and indeed all fir s -aiders , are aware of it s existence and , if they should come across a casualty wearing one of these identifica t ion locket s, they know what action to take
The SOS Talisman differs from the Medic-Alert in that it may be worn by both healthy and sick people. It may be purchased in either a neck pendant or bracelet form , both of which include a capsule which has a screw -on lid' similar to the back of a wrist-watch. Inside the waterproof, chromium-plated container , which measures an inch across, is a narrow strip of paper folded in concertina form , which gives personal details of the owner. The vital information given includes name and address , telephone number, next of kin, doctor , blood group , allergies, medical history , car registration passport number and any other details the owner wishes to record in case of an emergency
The offer is open to Drive readers until the end of January 1977 and cost of the package (1 bracelet type and 1 neck pendant) is £2.50. It will be helpful to you if you should come across a ca sualty wearing an SOS Talisman
It will be helpful to others if you are wearing one, should you at any time be injured or taken,il!. The correct information will go to the right people without delay . South & W est Yorkshire Ben R. Jarman
UNDIES INSPECTION
from Mrs. J. Wood, Divisional Secretary Man y letter s fo r an against the men's special duty clothing have recently appeared in the Review.
May I give s ome of my division s views. Yes, a special duty uniform does look smart it is easily washed , but there it stops. Have you tried wearing a poloneck jumper when the temperature is in the 90s? A bikini top would be more appropriate Have you tried wearing the dut y uniform in the winter? An inspection of my nursing member s would show underneath the uniform one pair of pyjamas , two jumpers and one cardigan on the first. Number two wears a pair of
SOS TALISMAN
from Ben R. Jarman, CSO (AC)
Following the advertisement in the Sept./Oct. '76 AA Drive magazine, offering to the general public the opportunity of purchasing the new Swiss patent SOS international Talisman, I think it is important that
men 's long -john s and three jumpers. Number three wears two pa irs of tights , two pairs of pants and four jumpers. Thi s goes on and on, much to our ambulance members' amusement. (See illustration below) Th is is because the anorak is so thin it wouldn't keep a rubber duck warm let alone a human being , and the rain comes straight in. The anorak 01'1 top of an ambulance member's jacket j ust might be a good thing, but I do hope they don ' t have to cope with the nursing members s ituation.
It is very obvious to St. John members at divisional level that the Uniform Committee ha sn t the foggiest idea what duties are done , how where and under what circumstances. So please Committee Member s, come round the div isions ( you are certainly welcome at Hackney ) to see us on dut y and the difficulties our uniforms have to face.
Hackney Combined Division 1. W oo d
OUR PAVILION
from Noel R. Leaf, County PRO
On behalf of the St. John Ambulance County of Warwick, Royal Show Committee may I thank Mr. Bruce T. Brown (Readers Views ', October) for his complimentary remarks about our pavilion.
I would however , point out that of the many hundreds of people who visit our exhibition quite a large percentage are in fact St. John members from other parts of the country and from overseas
The particular posters to which Mr. Brown refers were indeed the latest available from headquarters and frankly we thought them so good that we endeavoured to advise other members of their existence , since a s you know in July this year they had only recentl y been published.
In conclu sion J would add that a warm welcome is extended to any member who wishes to visit our pa vilion during the Royal Show week ( normall y the fir st week ofJuly) , and the stand number is E 129. War wic ks Noel R. Leaf
(Below)
Sen ior Welfare Officer, S1. John and Red Cross Service Hospitals Welfare Dept, Miss Elizabeth Patten becomes a Serving S ister
M iss Judith Stewart, of Devon who was sister-in-
ch arge of the ma le ward at the S1. John Ophthalmic Hospital during 1975, becomes a Serving Sister
SJA Shropshire County Surgeon
Dr. W. G Liggett, being invested as Commander
ORDER INVESTITURE
London, October 21
CHAPLAIN
The Rt. Rev. Leonard Ashton CB, Bishop in Cyprus and -rhe Gu lf.
COMMANDER (Brother)
Maj. Gen. 1 0se ph Esmond Miller MC, QHS, MRCS, LRCP, MRCGP MFCM (Sheffield).
Douglas Mearns Milne MB Ch.B, FRCS. (Bristol).
William Thoma s Rosier (Essex).
10hn Webb (Priory Hou se, EC I).
10hn Douglas Price (Her efor d).
Sir lames Haughton CBE , QPM. (Liverpool).
John Charles Cumber and (Nottingham).
William George Liggett, MB , B.Ch Telford).
Ian William Macpherson BA. (Warcs).
George Mosele y (W. Midlands).
Sgn. Rear Adm!. Patterson David Gordon Pugh, OBE, QHS, FRCS. (Hants).
COMMANDER (Sister) Moni ca Eileen, Miss White ( Bucks).
OFFICER (Brother)
The Ver y Re v Ian Hugh White -Thomson, MA, DCL. (Kent).
Ailwyn Henry George Broughton, Baron Fairhaven (Cambridge)
Kenneth 10hn Mark s (Middx).
Will iam Noe Culls, FCA, JP. (No tts).
Horace Stanley Tremelling (Cornwall).
Wal te Robert Kempton (Warks )
Sg n. Capt. Jame s Simpson Ritchie OBE MFCM. (Devon).
Leslie Wa rd Kay , MB , Ch B. (Sheffield).
Alber William Phill ip s (Herts).
Below) Div. Supt.
John Lockett of N. Staffs Creda and Bly the Bridge Combined Division becomes a Serving Brother
France s, M iss Drever -Jon es , OBE lP. (L1andudno).
Elizabeth, Mi ss P atte n Wilts)
Jud th Mar y, M iss Stewart (Devon).
Elizabeth Kenned y. \frs. Balston SEN (Jersey).
Patricia lo se phine Mrs Mear s (Wilts).
Blanche Esther, Mr s. Fenner (Essex).
Gwendoline Mary Mrs. Dearling (W. Su ssex).
Susan M a r y, Mi ss Raylor (Birmingham).
Marguerite, M rs. Hobbs (Manchester).
Norah, Mi ss Branigan CBE ( Dorset)
Diana Elizabeth , Mr s. Arbon (No rfolk).
Helena Eileen, Mr s. Hors man (Surrey).
Eileen Mary, Miss Elliot, SRN SCM , RCN OHN
NEWS from SCOTLAND
ONE of the most encouraging developments of the last few years has been the growing links between the Scottish Priory and the Scottish members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta This, of course, reflects the increasing collaboration between the Orders that is to be found in England and it has special significance in three ways. First, it has been in the past rather sad to see how few contacts there were between the Order of St. John, an order of chivalry dedicated to Hospitaller ideals, and the Order of Malta, still in fact a religious order with unbroken continuity from the medieval brothers of St. John.
ESQUIRE
Mutual help, without in any sense the renunciation of autonomy, gives point to the links of sentiment and history that bind us and should be strengthened, Secondly, the (London).
efficacy of the charitable activities of each Order gains immeasurably from close collaboration. Much more can be done together duplication of effort can be avoided; and we can support each other with help and advice so that our individual enterprises gain as well. Thirdly, we are faced today by the emergence of a plethora of unrecognised Orders of St. John, which are making things difficult for us and, because some of their members have eccentric ideas, may be affecting the support of a public which cannot be expected to distinguish the recognised from the unrecognised. The recognised Orders of St. John, including of course ourselves and the Sovereign Order of Malta, are being drawn together in the face of this threat; and the more we act together, the more effectively we will be able to combat it. J,R -S.
Vera. Mr s. Sargent (Cove ntr y).
Edith Anne. Mr s. Neal (Cambridge).
Margaret May. Miss Savage (Clwyd).
Alice, Mr s. Weig ht -Vowden (London). Barbara Ro se, Miss Burton (Staffs).
Betty. Mrs. Byard (Notts).
Peggy Anne. Mr s. Nicholson (Wilts).
Sheila, Mr s Hen de rso n (S. Yorks).
Norma Naomi, Mrs. Hughe s (Birmingham). Alberta Bea trice, Mrs. Garratt (E. Sussex).
Derek Ri sia n Fenton. Knig ht of Grace presented his per so nal Esquire Da vi d Geoffre y Fenton to the Lord Prior.
Mounted mo dels presented to the Duke of Gloucester on October 11 when he opened St. Jo hn Court (old peoples' flats) in Glasgow. The models of a private, piper, officer and mounted officer of the Gordon Highlanders were made by Sidn ey J. Eller in gton of Glasgow
News from Divisions/Centres
OBITUARY
Arthur G. Eley , 64 Hono
W. G. Elsey
UNDER £10 Bring-and-Buy
REVIEW CROSSWORD No. 12 (76)
Compiled by W. A. Potter
Across
1. Tricked by legal document about unusual vice. (8). 6. Anaesthesia induced at the near-by public hous€? (5). 9. A ten point sharp-edged tool. (3). 10. Do this, perhaps, to enable pain to be endured without flinching. (4.4.3). 11. Loudly lament€d spilled cider. (5). 12. Disguise in the operating theatre. (4). 13. Eye structure prominent in Irish. (4). 15. Condition characterised by severe, incapacitating headaches. (8). 18. Piece of furniture from the French office. (6). 19. Alcoholic beverage from English and French articles. (3). 21. Outsize mum holds one very hard metal. (6). 23. Respirator for patient suffering from siderosis? (4.4).26. Present in ethical soporific as well. (4). 27. Flaccid gait of one with leg (4). 28. Type of pneumonia generally affecting only a part of a lung. (5). 30. Introduction of pathogenic organisms into the body through a wound. (11). 31. A half stupid fellow. (3). 32. Cue given by the elbow. (5). 33. Nine gems arranged as brain coverings. (8).
Down:
2. Levelling out at the close of day. (7). 3. Put me back on bed to set firmly in the surrounding matter. (5). 4. Essential food factor helping night vision. (7.0. 5 Oedema resulting from small operations in dry environment. (6). 6. Spleen taken from client. (7). 7. Heat unit \Jsed in dietetic calculations. (7). 8. Use uvula plugs, sir, for tuberculosis of the skin. (5.S) 9. A place to stay for adjustment of the eye for near or far vision. (13). 14. Injury sustained in a Scottish stream? (4). 16. Terminal part of the alimentary tract. (4). 17. Old testament character concealed in relic. (3). 20. Rash from volcanic action? (8). 22. Most aid is required for part of temporal bone. (7). 24. May be taken when a slighting remark is passed (7). 25. Amputate an upper limb to preserve peace? (6). 28. Pillow cases, trolley covers, and the doctors' coats, for example. (5). 29. A remedy to preserve. (4).
CELEBRATE CEN1ENARY YEAR WI1H A GLASS OF ST. JOHN AMBULANCE CENTENARY COMMEMORATION PORT
This wine, a fine blend of specially selected VE RY 0 LD TAWNIES has been chosen to commemorate St. John Ambularnce, which began in South-East London on 1 st July 1877, afld is bottled in the South-East London cellars of John E. Fells & Sons Ltd.
It has been selected by Arthur Bone, a well known figure in the wine trade and Commissioner for the SouthEastern Area of London (Prince of Wales s) District. Each bottle is individually numbered and packed in an attractive carton.
COST £36 per case (Incl. VAT) (Delivery free UK)
Please note that this price is subject to any increase in duty or VAT.
Orders, with cash, should be sent direct to:
JOHN E. FELLS & SONS LTD. 56-58 TOOLEY STREET, LON DON. S.E.1. in minimum quantities of one case (12 bottles).
WHY NOT GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR MEMBERS & FRIENDS AND TOAST OUR GREAT CENTENARY IN STYLE
MODEL 65 STANDARD
• C'onstructed in lightweight alloy.
• Length adjustment slide coated in self lubricating material.
• Practically lTrlaintenalFlce free:
• Ideal for everyday use as well as difficu It and unpleasant body pick ups.
MODEL 66 FOLDING
• Has vinyl coated nylon headpad with velcro fastening.
