Demonstration of lifesaving equipment, Hyde Park, London

Jan. 28, 1975 - New Life-Saving Equipment Demonstrated: A demonstration was held today on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London, of the Balcan Emergency Life Line - BELL - which is made up of a specially designed bright orange hollow plastic capsule approximately the size and shape of a half pint beer bottle. Sealed inside is 132ft of braided floating line of 260 lbs breaking strain. One end of the line is attached to a cap sealing the unit and the other to a washer to prevent it from being pulled out of the capsule. In use, the cap is removed and grasped in one hand and the capsule is thrown with the other. The line pays out from behind without snagging and the effect of windage is minimised. An average throw of 25-30 yards is obtained in this way. For greater distance the use of a Flikstik is advocated - this is 24 inches long and allows the BELL to be slipped over one end and then hurled the full 45 yards. The size, shape and weight (6 ounces) of the BELL allows it to be stowed, carried and thrown to much greater effect than any other lifesaving equipment on the world market today. Photo shows a lady park attendant throwing out the line during today's demonstration by the Serpentine, Hyde Park

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Advocated Allows Approximately Attendant Average Braided Capsule Demonstrated Effect Grasped Hollow Hurled Inches Lifesaving Obtained Pint Prevent Pulled Removed Sealed Sealing Serpentine Slipped Specially Stowed Strain Throw Thrown Throws Washer Windage Yards

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