Scouting, Volume 6, Number 15, August 1, 1918 Page: 10
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RED CROSS MEET FOR BOY SCOUT CAMPS
From a Report Made to Major C. H. Connor, M. C. U. S. A., in Charge Bureau of Medical Service, American Red Cross,
Washington, D. C., by Dr. W. N. Lipscomb, Field Representative American Red Cross
THE first aid meet at the Boy Scout
Camp, Twin Lakes, Idaho, represents
a culmination of about three weeks'
work with the boys. The first part was
given over to demonstration and instruc-
tion. Later, the boys did the things them-
selves, individually and in groups. About
five days before the meet they were or-
ganized into teams.
This organization was effected as follows:
I picked four of the leading boys in camp
whom I considered the ablest in this line as
well and let them pick alternately five boys
to compose a team of six; in other words, I
selected the captains and the boys selected
their own teams. I adopted this method
because boys are clannish and Mr. Wylie
and myself thought this the best way to
work the problem out. It proved an ideal
one.
After organizing the boys in teams I gave
them the same problem as I would give the
mining teams in such work and held them to
some rather severe practice. Mr. Wylie,
and other officers in the camp, were very
generous in giving time for this; in fact,
most of the extra time for a few days pre-
ceding the meet ^as given the teams.
Penalties for Disorder
I held the meet one afternoon in camp,
following the same idea as in regulation
Red Cross Mining Meets, adopting the same
system of discounts, with a few extras added
to insure discipline. For instance, any dis-
order on a team while it worked cost that
team two points in each case, and any lack
of attention to judge cost the team five
points. As many boys are careless in tying
knots, and in handling a supposed patient,
I took five points each for these and five
for lack of neatness, which is a heavier dis-
count, as I explained to them, than the
usual.
List of Events
Mr. Wylie secured the services of two
physicians in active practice, which made
three judges, including myself. The teams
were lined up with material.
Event No. 1 consisted of the following:
A scout falls down a steep hill and has the
following injuries:
No. 1—Three-inch cut on forehead.
No. 2—Left eye injured.
No. 3—Broken collar bone, right.
No. A—Fracture left femur (compound)
half way between hip and the knee.
No. 5—Bruise on right knee.
Team No. 3, which was the winning team,
lost only six points on this one for a granny
knot and a loose bandage.
Event No. 2 demonstrated three methods
of rescue from live electric wire (wire un-
der the man) and artificial respiration with
explanations of same to satisfy judge. Ex-
plain First Aid electric burn treatment.
Event No. 3: Three scouts are together
on a hike; one receives a severe ax cut one
inch above right elbow with much bleeding;
two scouts to handle this quickly and
properly.
Event No. 4: Demonstrate loading man
on stretcher, carry patient on stretcher over
five-foot obstacle, return patient to place
assigned, then demonstrate two methods of
two-men carry and three methods of one-
man carry.
The grades of the teams follow: No. 1,
973/4; No. 2, 87Y2; No. 3, 98^ ; No. 4, 96y2.
How the Winners Won
It will be seen that team No. 3 won this
meet, and it is significant to note that the
10
only points lost on all these four problems
was for a granny knot and a loose bandage.
This team represents what I have always
considered essential to any winning team,
namely, an able captain and much practice.
Team No. 3 practically lived in the atmos-
phere of this meet several days beforehand.
Did Not Forget to Treat for Shock
The boys were very much interested in the
medals, as I had one on exhibit, and compe-
tition was very keen. They did not fail to
treat for shock in each case, and I fully be-
lieve that they understand this to the extent
SWIM FIFTY YARDS
By IVilbert E. Longfellow,
Life Saving Corps,
American Red Cross.
In my experience, the chief difficulty
in the way of passing the fifty yard swim-
ming test by a beginner is his inability to
breathe properly. The beginner keeps up
as long as he can hold his breath and
then has to quit. The main difference
between a good swimmer and a poor one
is in the breathing.
Swimming is the most violent exercise
we have and it takes lots of the best sort
of air. It must be supplied regularly in
large quantities and it must be as regu-
larly exhausted by exhaling, in order to
make room for the fresh air containing
the needed oxygen.
Breathing More Important Than Stroke
It is of little use to lay down a fixed
rule as to stroke for the beginner's swim-
ming test as the scout must necessarily
take his instruction from some instructor
on the ground, but as breathing is the
part of swimming most instructors do
not teach, we will give attention to that.
Speed swimmers take their air through
the mouth, inhaling in a big gulp when
the arms are pulled back or on the roll
of the body, and exhaling through the
nostrils on the drive of the leg kick. It
can be understood that on the pull of
the arms the head is highest and the air
can be taken then. When the kick is
taken the head is lower and should the
face be in the water, the air may be ex-
haled through the nostrils.
Some swimmers use the nostrils for
both inhalation and exhalation, believing
that the air should be warmed in the nose
before being taken into the lungs. But
in either case, remember that exhalation
can be done with the face under water
and inhalation can not.. So it is most
important to practice rhythmic breathing
as well as stroke before attempting to
swim any distance whatever.
How to Learn to Breathe in the Water
Take a gulp of air while standing chest
deep in water, then put the face under
and let the air out slowly against the
water pressure. You will find it will take
much longer to expel it than it takes to
gulp it in. In this way the swimmer can
proceed in the rough or choppy water
when necessary. Repeat this exercise
until 10 or 12 breaths can be taken with-
out difficulty, then attach the stroke to it
and you will find your "cruising radius"
greatly enlarged.
Now as to stroke, whatever one you
learn, "get your money's worth". If you
spend effort, get the proper return for
the energy used. Ride between strokes,
don't kill the effect of your pull, with a
second and third, as so many do, but pull
and glide as you would in a row boat or
canoe. Develop swimming efficiency.
Test your progress by endeavoring to cut
down the number of strokes required to
go the fifty yards. You can measure your
efficiency that way, and be sure you can
pass before you come up for examination.
Distance Swimmer Better Than Sprinter
In conclusion — just remember the
speed sprinter is not always the best type
of swimmer. Efficiency and endurance
are more along the lines of good scouting.
The scout who can go the distance in the
fewest strokes is ofttimes a better swim-
mer than the fellow who dashes off the
distance in the shortest time, and has no
energy left for the return trip.
of recognizing an actual case and dealing
with it.
This meet occupied nearly three hours,
and the boys were worn out, but they cer-
tainly worked. Another interesting point is
that one of the other teams which at first
had little chance brought themselves to-
gether, worked very hard, and made a
creditable showing. I instructed the doc-
tors to ask them any questions they choose
about the different problems, and the boys
answered these well. In fact, the two doc-
tors in commenting to Mr. Wylie and me
expressed very much surprise.
From the figures above representing the
averages, it may be deduced that the visit-
ing physicians were very lenient in their
judging, likewise myself. However, while
I was interested in a high record, I never-
theless instructed them to grade as strictly
as possible, and I did so, too. I also in-
spected the teams graded by the others.
Importance of First Aid Training
The boys made a higher general percent-
age than I expected. The visiting physicians
went on record as enthusiastic admirers of
what training can accomplish among boy
scouts. I am of the belief that these boys
are as much entitled to these medals secured
in this meet as men whom I have witnessed
in Mining Meets. I am now of the belief
that first aid work among boy scouts is as
important as among the industries, and per-
sonally, I find it very congenial; I wish to
go on record as being in favor of continued
co-operation along the line of detail be-
tween the Red Cross and Boy Scouts.
Furthermore, I expect to take the neces-
sary time in the larger cities hereafter to
reach the scouts provided I can secure ac-
tive interest of the Scout Executives or
Commissioners.
After being with the scouts for a month
at Camp Dee-light I can wittingly say that
a similar detail would be agreeably received
and carried out with pleasure.
Camp Might Secure Red Cross Workers
Scout Executive Wylie, of Spokane,
Wash., who was in charge of the camp,
spoke enthusiastically of the work of Dr.
Lipscomb. He suggests that other camps
might arrange with the American Red Cross
to secure expert instructors from their
staff.
Scouts Rescue Canoeists
The members of Troop 91, Manhattan,
rescued two canoeists from drowning in
the Hudson River. The scouts were in a
motor boat. The scoutmaster, Father Coo-
gan, who is also a police chaplain, was in
charge of the boat. Sixteen first and sec-
ond class scouts were aboard.
A mile away, one of the scouts discovered
a distress signal. A canoe paddle was waved
at intervals by someone in the water. The
boat was headed toward the canoe and as
soon as it was near enough, a life line was
thrown.
First Aiders
Two Chicago Scouts saved the life of
the Vice President of the First National
Bank by stopping the flow of blood after
the banker had fallen beneath a railroad
train.
A broken trolley wire that was hanging
down over the street was discovered by a
Boy Scout in Dixon, 111., and he stood guard
for a couple of hours warning people away
from the danger until it was repaired.
SCOUTING
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 6, Number 15, August 1, 1918, periodical, August 1, 1918; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth282960/m1/10/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.