Troop Aquatics Safety Afloat Original Presentation Prepared By: James Lowell Fry BSA Aquatics Instructor & Red Cross Certified Lifeguard Additional Material Provided By: BSA Online Training Course Edited and Annotated By: Jim Banko, BSA Troop 89, Great Bend, PA DISCLAIMER: The use of this slide presentation should be done in conjunction with the review of the official BSA Safety Afloat

Troop Aquatics Safety Afloat Before a BSA group may engage in any excursion, expedition, or trip on the water (canoe, raft, sailboat, sailboard, motorboat, rowboat, tube, or any other watercraft), adult leaders for such activities should have an appreciation for the potential hazards they could encounter and should take steps to reduce those risks.

Troop Aquatics Safety Afloat S S S P P P B E D 3 Sheets 3 Pillows Bed

Safety Afloat Supervision Skills Proficiency Swimming Ability Physical Fitness PFD Planning Buddy System Equipment Discipline

Safety Afloat Supervision At least 1 mature adult 21 years of age or older Accepts Responsibility Skillful with watercraft Rescue Methods Committed to the 9 Points of Safety Afloat CPR 1 adult per 10 youth Other adults may be 18 years of age or older Be sure to emphasize the benefits of getting B.S.A. Lifeguard assistance in planning and implementing the event. “Will the event be safer with the help in planning?”

Safety Afloat Skills Proficiency Minimum skill for MB Emergency Procedures Craft to be used 3hrs. Training & Practice PFD instruction Whitewater Instruction Check the merit badge books for the min. skill proficiency. Learn how to handle the craft to be used for the outing. Whitewater requirements… must be trained by a whitewater specialist (see also Guide to Safe Scouting). Must meet State Certification and Motor-boating MB requirements. Cub Scouts must limit canoeing and rafting to District and Council events on flatwater with no powerboats and sailboats.

Safety Afloat Swimming Ability Pass BSA Swim Test 100 yards 75 any forward stroke 25 resting stroke Float Be sure to explain exceptions clearly-Beginners and non-swimmers my ride in canoes and sailboats with lifeguard only. At summer camp, Beginners and non-swimmers may row rowboats. All other events, only swimmers may participate in activities afloat (non-swimmers may still ride).

Safety Afloat Physical Fitness Class 2/3 Medical Form Identify significant medical conditions Adjust activity and lifeguard duties to accommodate medical concerns Significant medical concerns should require a physicians examination Every Scout must have these health forms! Class 2 is sufficient for most activities if they are not considered high adventure. For Serious Medical Concerns: Parents should also be consulted about abilities of the scout if there are serious medical concerns. Parents should be informed in detail what types of activities, skills will be needed for the activity afloat. Every effort should be made to help include everyone that can participate.

Safety Afloat Personal Flotation Device PFD Styles Who Wears them? Type I, II, III, IV, V Styles Ski, Canoe, Fishing Who Wears them? Describe different types (or bring examples) of PFD. Explain how to use. Emphasize that EVERYONE wears them at all times while in watercraft – no exceptions. Type I - Offshore Lifejacket - This PFD is designed for extended survival in rough, open water. It usually will turn an unconscious person face up and has over 22 pounds of buoyancy. This is the best PFD to keep you afloat in remote regions where rescue may be slow in coming. Type II - Near Shore Buoyant Vest - This "classic" PFD comes in several sizes for adults and children and is for calm inland water where there is chance of fast rescue. It is less bulky and less expensive than a Type I, and many will turn an unconscious person face-up in the water. Type III - Flotation Aid - These life jackets are generally considered the most comfortable, with styles for different boating activities and sports. They are for use in calm water where there is good chance of fast rescue since they will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up. Flotation aids come in many sizes and styles. Type IV - Throwable Device - These are designed to be thrown to a person in the water. Throwable devices include boat cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. They are not designed to be worn and must be supplemented by wearable PFD. It is important to keep these devices immediately available for emergencies, and they should not be used for small children, non-swimmers, or unconscious people. Type V - Special Use Device - Special use PFDs include work vests, deck suits, and hybrids for restricted use. Hybrid vests contain some internal buoyancy and are inflatable to provide additional flotation.

Safety Afloat Planning Float Plan Rules & Regulations “Put in” & “Take Out” Course, Stopovers, Time Accurate Maps Run the course prior Copy to Council Office Rules & Regulations Local, Regional, National Fishing Licenses Border Crossing Times should be estimated generously. Talk to people who have traveled the route prior to your visit. Discuss Tour Permits (Local and National). Mention Border Crossing issues into Canada. Mention waterway rules and agencies where this information can be found.

Safety Afloat Planning Notification Weather Parents Unit Committee Council (Tour Permit) Coast Guard, State Police, Park Personnel Weather Check before you go Have a plan “Just in case” Notification depends on where you are going. Ask for participants to volunteer places. Discuss “who should know”.

Safety Afloat Planning Contingencies Plan for Emergencies Plan for other possible problems Have a Contingency Plan! Emergencies – broken leg, heart attack, the “hurry cases”… Other Problems – equipment failure, weather problems…. Contingency Plan – what do we do next? Contingency plans should be in writing.

Safety Afloat Buddy System At least one person looking out for the Scout. Buddy Boats Need to See and Hear boat in front and behind Close Proximity Adult leader in first and last boat Common cense should apply to the proximity of the boats (across the lake is not acceptable). Also “supervision” should be a reasonable distance away as well (see and hear is a good rule of thumb).

Safety Afloat Equipment Suited to the Craft, Conditions, & Individual Correct Size Good Repair Meet Coast Guard Regulations Spare Equipment Repair Equipment/Parts Rescue Equipment No oars in canoes. Scouts come in lots of different sizes. Duct tape Rope, throw bags etc.

Safety Afloat Discipline Safety Afloat Agree to and use all points Rules are set and discussed for the area you are using prior to activity Follow all directions and rules of supervisor Give reasons for rules if possible Be strict and fair

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Safety Afloat Supervision Skills Proficiency Swimming Ability Physical Fitness PFD Planning Buddy System Equipment Discipline

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Safety Afloat Questions or Comments?