1. Instructor: Tim Baldrige

2. * What is the requirement before a BSA group engages in excursion, expedition or trip on water (canoe, raft, sailboat, motorboat, rowboat, tube, or other craft? * Adult leaders must: * Complete Safety Afloat training * Have a commitment card with them * Agree to use the nine points of the plan

3. * Qualified supervision * Physical fitness * Swimming ability * Personal flotation equipment * Buddy system * Skill proficiency * Planning * Equipment * Discipline

4. * Mature and conscientious adult, 21 or over * Accepts responsibility for safety of youth * Experienced in the water * Confident of ability to respond to an emergency * Trained and committed to eight points of SSD * Strongly recommended at least one adult or older youth qualified as BSA lifeguard

5. * Evidence of physical fitness (complete health history from parent / physician) * Require a physical if problems are identified * Those with disabilities can be accommodated if they are known and precautions taken

6. * Non-swimmers, beginners: may ride in rowboat or motorboat with an adult swimmer, or in a canoe, raft or sailboat with an adult certified lifesaver * Swimmers: in all other circumstances, must be a swimmer to participate in an activity afloat. * Annual testing

7. * Properly fitted * USCG approved * Worn by everyone on the open water * Rowing, canoeing, sailing, boardsailing, motorboating, waterskiing, rafting, tubing, kayaking, surfboarding * Type II / III preferred

8. * Adhere to the principles of the buddy system * Individual buddies (may be more than one) * “Buddy boats” on the water

9. * Everyone trained and experienced in watercraft handling skills, safety, and emergency procedures * Whitewater: All complete special whitewater training by BSA or qualified specialist * Powerboats: Meet BSA Motorboating merit badge or equivalent * Otherwise: Three hours training and practice or “basic handling tests” for float trips or open water excursions in unpowered craft

10. * Float plan—in, out, stopovers, time, maps, etc. * Local rules—written permission to cross private property * Notification—parents / committee / council / agencies / return * Weather check * Contingencies

11. * Suited to the craft, water conditions, individual * Good repair * State and USCG requirements * Carry spares * Carry repair material on trips * Have rescue equipment

12. * All know, understand and respect rules and procedures for Safety Afloat * Review the rules before the outing * Review the rules on the beach * Insure Scouts understand “why” * Enforce the rules fairly and consistently

13. 1. Qualified supervision 2. Physical fitness 3. Swimming ability 4. Personal flotation equipment 5. Buddy system 6. Skill proficiency 7. Planning 8. Equipment 9. Discipline

14. * Do not tow rowboats or canoes w / sail / power * Canoeists need “swamping” training * Sail / power boats need 10 cubic ft / person * Canoe / row boats need 7 cubic ft / person * Sail / power boats need oars / paddles also * Ventilate bilges of gasoline / oil fumes * “Jet skis” are not authorized in Scouting * Metal-to-metal contact when refueling