'Flinging the squaler' lifeline rescues for drowning prevention.

In Australia, 86 "rescuers" have drowned over 15 years (1992-2007). Many victims have needlessly drowned simply because of bystander unfamiliarity with the simple skill of throwing a lifeline or lifebuoy. The basic paradigm of aquatic lifesaving is to affect a rescue, without placing oneself at risk. Twenty-five fit, untrained adults were recruited to assess their lifeline throwing abilities. Results from 190 competitors as participants in the Line Throw events at the National Australian Pool Lifesaving Competition 2009 were analyzed for speed, efficacy, and accuracy. It takes a medium time of 35 s for an untrained bystander to throw a lifeline. Only 20% can throw a line within 2 m of the target at a first attempt. In the heat of the moment, 20% do not secure the end of the flung rope. Trained children can affect a 10 m accurate throw and pull a potential victim to safety with a medium elapsed time of 23 s. The Australian national record for trained lifesavers (adult, 12 meter), is 10.08 s-world record 9.06 s. This simple lifesaving technique, with training in improvisation (e.g., garden hoses), will undoubtedly save lives

Snake bite in children. A five year population study from south-east Queensland

A consecutive series of 71 childhood snake bite incidents is reported. The children were admitted for suspected or confirmed snake bite to four hosptials in south‐east Queensland in the 5‐year period 1971–1975. Toddlers (1–3 years) constituted the most common age group involved. Information on predisposing factors leading to the bite was available in 33 cases; in 75% of these the children were not provoking the snake, which contrasts with the findings from adult series. The snake was seen in 58% of cases, and felt but not seen in a further 16%. Lay identification was made in 18% only. Definite puncture marks were present in 73% of cases. In 73% of victims there were no observed constitutional signs or symptoms whatsoever suggesting, in practice, that bites are generally by snakes of low potential danger. Seventeen per cent showed signs of envenomation. Antivenene was used in two cases. One fatality occurred, but the rest recovered without sequelae. In two of the 71 cases an effective tourniquet was applied

Review of current progress: antenatal diagnosis

Summary: Approximately 1 child in every 30 is born with a significant physical or mental handicap and 41% of deaths in children aged 1 month to 15 years are the result of a congenital malformation. New and improved forms of treatment are available for some congenital abnormalities; in others there appears to be advantage in antenatal diagnosis so that termination of the pregnancy may be considered before the stage of extrauterine viability of the fetus is reached. Practical methods of early antenatal diagnosis are reviewed, with their indications, risks, and shortcomings. The use of alphafetoprotein estimations in amniotic fluid and maternal blood to identify neural tube defects and the karyotyping and biochemical assay of cultured amniotic cells are currently the most important of these. The history of antenatal diagnosis is reviewed and cost‐benefit analysis is discussed. With the concept of antenatal diagnosis and its widespread implementation and acceptance, there have arisen important questions of medical ethics and community policy, and these are discussed. A team consisting of an obstetrician, a geneticist and a paediatrician should be working together to provide genetic counselling prior to testing to explain the natural history of the disease in question and the mathematical risks concerned. Prospects for future endeavours in this field are discussed. Copyrigh