1. Larry Blumberg lblumberg@stny.rr.com
Get Your Scouts Wet !
Larry Blumberg

2. Get Your Scouts Wet !
Instructor: Larry Blumberg Baden-Powell Training Committee BPCouncil.org/training Class participants – please provide address for copy of presentation !

3. Role of Aquatics in Scouting:
Aquatics activities have always been part of the Scouting program.
It is an important part of most summer camp programs.
Swimming and boating safely are not only an enjoyable leisure activity, but could also save the life of a Scout, or someone else.

4. Role of Aquatics in Scouting:
Water Safety is a Critical Issue
Every day, 2 children under 14 die from unintentional drowning
Drowning is the fifth leading accidental cause of death in the US (CDC)
Scouting events frequently involve water activities
Scouting is a natural place to provide improvement in swimming abilities, both as an instructional body and as an experienced based skill
We provide life skills to our Scouts on a variety of subjects – water safety is a natural fit!

5. Role of Aquatics in Scouting:
New Cub Scout Adventure program electives:
Tiger: “Floats and Boats”
Wolf: “Spirit of the Water”
Bear: “Salmon Run”
Webelos and Arrow of Light: “Aquanaut”

6. “Floats and Boats” - Tigers
Basic boat identification
Water safety
Personal safety
Introduction to rescue techniques
Beginning swimming instruction

7. The “Tigers” Water Safety Chant:
S is for Someone watching
never swim alone
C is Check the rules
Know where you can roam
O is Only buddies
Should go from the shore
U is know what U can do
Don’t do any more
T is Tell a grown-up
If someone’s in need
SCOUT shows safety
Now you take the lead

8. “Spirit of the Water” - Wolves
Water safety
Basic rescue
Swimming ability

9. “Salmon Run” - Bears
More water safety, including proper equipment for boating
Basic instruction in rowing or paddling
More rescue instruction
Additional swimming activities including:
A trip to a pool
Basic swimming technique instruction
Learning about the BSA Swim Tests
An attempt at the “Beginner” (Red) swimmer test:

10. “Aquanaut” - Webelos
1. State the safety precautions you need to take before doing any water activity. 2. Recognize the purpose and the three classifications of swimming ability groups in Scouting. 3. Discuss the importance of learning the skills you need to know before going boating. 4. Explain the meaning of “order of rescue” and demonstrate the reach and throw rescue techniques from land. 5. Attempt the BSA swimmer test. 6. Demonstrate the precautions you must take before attempting to dive headfirst into the water, and attempt a front surface dive.

11. “Aquanaut” - Webelos
7. Learn and demonstrate two of the following strokes: crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, or elementary
backstroke.
8. Invite a member or former member of a lifeguard team, rescue squad, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.
Navy, or other armed forces branch who has had swimming and rescue training to your den meeting. Find out what training and other experiences this person has had.
9. Demonstrate how to correctly fasten a life jacket that is the right size for you. Jump into water over
your head. Show how the life jacket helps keep your head above water by swimming 25 feet. Get out of the water, remove the life jacket, and hang it where it will dry.
10. If you are a qualified swimmer, select a paddle of the proper size, and paddle a canoe with an adult’s supervision.

12. Boy Scout – 2nd Class Aquatics:
5a. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim. 5b. Demonstrate your ability to pass the BSA beginner test: Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place. 5c. Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. 5d. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible. Explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.

13. Boy Scout – 1st Class Aquatics:
6a. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. 6b. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat. 6c. Identify the basic parts of a canoe, kayak, or other boat. Identify the parts of a paddle or an oar. 6d. Describe proper body positioning in a watercraft, depending on the type and size of the vessel. Explain the importance of proper body position in the boat. 6e. With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.)

14. BSA swim test levels: Swimmer
Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin swimming.
Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: side, breast, trudgen, or crawl. Swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
The 100 yards must be completed without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.
Rest by floating…Long enough to demonstrate ability to rest when exhausted.

15. BSA swim test levels: Beginner
Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin swimming.
Swim 25 feet on the surface.
Stop, turn, and resume swimming back to the starting place.

16. BSA swim test levels:
Non-Swimmer Did not complete either the Swimmer or Beginner swimming tests.

17. BSA Aquatics Merit Badges
Canoeing Kayaking Lifesaving Motorboating Rowing Scuba Diving Small-Boat Sailing Swimming Water Sports Whitewater

18. Miscellaneous BSA Aquatics Awards
BSA Lifeguard Boardsailing BSA Kayaking BSA Mile Swim BSA Scuba BSA Snorkeling BSA

19. SAFE SWIM DEFENSE and SAFETY AFLOAT
Get Your Scouts Wet !
SAFE SWIM DEFENSE and SAFETY AFLOAT or