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SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1979
*FOR RESUSCITATION, THE STERN OF THE RESCUE CANOE IS CONVERTED INTO A LEVEL DECK FOR THIS PURPOSE. IN SOME RESCUE CASES RESUSCITATION MUST BE APPLIED IMMEDIATELY AND BY HAVING A DECK THE LIFEGUARD WILL HAVE THE FACILITY TO ADMINISTER EMERGENCY MEASURES AS NECESSARY. EACH RESCUE CANOE WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH OTHER CANOEING GEAR SUCH AS LIFE JACKETS, SPRAY COVER, SAFETY ROPES, TOGGLES AND OTHER LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT.
+THERE ARE NOW TWO TYPES OF LIFE-SAVING CRAFT SERVING ALL THE GAZETTED BEACHES. THEY ARE THE CONVENTIONAL RAFT AND THE MECHANISED CRAFT.
+BUT EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT CANOES ARE MORE SUITABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR SPEED AND SIZE AND PARTICULARLY THEIR MANOEUWSABILITY. THEY ARE LESS DANGEROUS TO SWIMMERS AS THEY ARE NOT POWER-DRIVEN AND DO NOT HAVE PROPELLERS WHICH COULD BE A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO SWIMMERS.
+AS FOR MANOEUVRING CAPABILITY THEY ARE BEST SUITED TO HONG KONG'S CROWDED BEACHES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CURRENTLY MANY RESCUE CANOES WERE BEING BUILT BY AMS LIFE SAVERS THEMSELVES.
AT THE MOMENT, 15 MEMBERS ARE BEING TRAINED IN CANOE BUILDING AT THE AMS STORE IN KOWLOON HOSPITAL EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. TWO CANOES ARE BUILT EVERY WEEKEND.
THE SERVICE HAS FIVE QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS WHO ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG CANOE UNION AND ONE ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTOR. IN ADDITION, SIX MEMBERS ARE CURRENTLY ATTENDING AN ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTOR COURSE CONDUCTED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SECTION AND THE H.K. CANOE 'UNION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMS PLANS TO INTRODUCE AN ELEMENTARY TRAINING COURSE IN CANOEING SOME TIME DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
HE ALSO STATED THAT A 3-STAR AWARD SCHEME WILL BE LAUNCHED SOON AIMED AT PROMOTING INTEREST AND PROFICIENCY IN CANOEING AMONG YOUTHS.
+AS FOR FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT, THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE HAS A TRAINING SITE AT TSUM CHUEK WAN, SAI KUNG DISTRICT WHERE THE TRAINING IS CONDUCTED, HE SAID.
+A CANOE HOUSE WOULD BE BUILT THERE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. BESIDES THE RESCUE CANOES MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE A FLEET OF 10 DOUBLE-SEATER CANOES FOR TRAINING PURPOSES TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL SINGLE-SEATERS.
+ALSO, WE HAVE AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF 50 LIFE-JACKETS AND SPRAY COVERS FOR TRAINEES, HE ADDED.
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