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Image Not Available for Ross Safety Belt
Ross Safety Belt
Image Not Available for Ross Safety Belt

Ross Safety Belt

Datec 1960
Object number00000797
NameBelt
MediumCanvas, steel
DimensionsOverall: 150 x 1000 mm, 0.6 kg
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Surf Life Saving Association of Australia
DescriptionThe Ross Safety Belt used by the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia. It is made from two pieces of canvas and its main attributes includes a safety release pin.History"Ross safety belts will be compulsory equipment at all future surf carnivals. This was decided by the Surf Life Saving Association yesterday as a sequel to the drowning of James Peryman, at North Cronulla last Sunday, while he was trying to rescue a girl swimmer. Peryman was using an ordinary surf belt. Peryman was drowned when his line was fouled by seaweed. His was the second drowning in similar circumstances this year. The Ross belt was standard but not compulsory equipment for surf Clubs. (1) Adopted a recommendation that at the Coogee carnival next Saturday all clubs must compete with Ross safety belts and the Ross belts will be compulsory at all subsequent surf carnivals. (2) Adopted a recommendtaion that the Ross safety belt be used for all surf Bronze Medal- lion examinations and drill. [The present standard belt is difficult to release because the line has to be made slack behind thelinesman, the neck strap slipped over the head, and the belt pushed off the body. With the Ross belt a pin running through five eyes is pulled out and the belt then falls off the body." (Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 21 February 1950). Most clubs had at least one Ross belt. To replace the present belts with Ross belts would cost a considerable sum. There were about 90 surf clubs in New South Wales and each club would need five belts." SignificanceThe Ross belt was standard but not compulsory equipment for surf clubs.