1. BSA Aquatics
May 2019

2. Topics Overview Aquatics Activities Aquatics Awards
Aquatics Supervision Training

3. Aquatics Overview One of the major programs for Scouts BSA
5/24/2019
Aquatics Overview
One of the major programs for Scouts BSA
Entire chapter in Guide to Safe Scouting
Aquatics Supervision is primary reference
For Mile Swim BSA, Snorkeling BSA, Kayaking BSA, and Boardsailing BSA
Scuba BSA uses instructor material
BSA SUP has new brochure (# Printing)
Whitewater Rafting Award new brochure 2018
Contains requirements and applications for all awards
Council approval is needed for all counselors
The aquatics awards do not count toward advancement, but are a way to get introduced to the skill or activity. The requirements are generally less stringent that the merit badge – if a comparable merit badge exists. In most cases, the aquatics award was introduced to gauge interest if a merit badge is needed. This is how Kayaking and Scuba Merit badges were developed.

4. Aquatics Activities Swimming (MB) Lifesaving (MB) Canoeing (MB)
Rowing (MB)
Small-Boat Sailing (MB)
Kayaking (MB)
Whitewater (MB)
Scuba Diving (MB)
Motor Boating (MB)
Water Sports (MB) (Water Skiing or Wake Boarding)
Paddle Boarding
Tubing
Snorkeling

5. Aquatics Awards Mile Swim, BSA Snorkeling, BSA Scuba, BSA
Boardsailing, BSA
Kayaking, BSA
BSA Stand Up Paddle Boarding
White Water Rafting, BSA

6. Aquatics Award Overview
Youth and Adults can earn the awards
Procedure
Council approves counselor
Participants meet with counselor, completes requirements
Award application is completed
Participant is recognized
Pocket certificate
Award patch (for swim suit wear)

7. Aquatics Training Basic Aquatics Training
Aquatics Supervision Training
BSA Lifeguard Training
BSA Aquatics Instructor

8. Aquatics Basic Training
Safe Swim Defense
Hazardous Weather Training
Safety Afloat
First Aid
CPR

9. Aquatics Supervision Requirements

10. Specialized Supervision Requirements
Independent of the event, adult supervision should be experienced in the activity at hand, possess (operating and safety skills) and qualified/certified as required.
Scuba Diving: Divemaster or above required.
Canoe and Kayak MB Instructors/ Counselors must be trained on “Paddle Craft Safety”.

11. Specialized Supervision Requirements (cont.)
Whitewater Rafting
Self-guided Class III whitewater requires American Canoe Association or equivalent training.
Class IV requires professionally trained guides.
Class V is not allowed.

12. Swimming and Water Rescue
Designed to meet the needs of unit leaders to provide qualified supervision of unit swimming activities
It is strongly recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member currently trained in BSA Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue or BSA Lifeguard to assist in planning and conducting all swimming activities.

13. Paddle Craft Safety
It is strongly recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member currently trained in BSA Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety to assist in the planning and conduct of all activities afloat.
At a minimum, instructors for canoes and kayaks should be able to demonstrate the handling and rescue skills required for BSA Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety.

14. How do you implement these programs?
At camp
As part of a year-round aquatics program
Know the rules
Refresh prior to outings and don’t forget to build your safety afloat plan as required

15. Questions Comments Experiences
Aquatics
Questions Comments Experiences

16. Aquatics Resources Main Aquatics Home Page Aquatic Safety
Aquatic Safety

17. Snorkeling, BSA Counselors:
Any adult trained and assigned by a currently certified BSA Aquatics Instructor may serve as a counselor for the Snorkeling BSA award. A person certified to conduct snorkeling instruction by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), or the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), or other BSA recognized agency also qualifies as a Snorkeling BSA counselor.

18. Kayaking, BSA Counselors
Any person recognized as a kayak instructor by the American Canoe Association or equivalent organization may serve as a counselor for this award, with the approval of the local council.
A person experienced in kayaking skills and safety may serve as a counselor in a BSA summer camp program under the direction of a currently certified Aquatics Instructor, BSA.

19. Scuba, BSA
Counselors
Counselors for Scuba BSA must hold current scuba instructor certification from PADI, NAUI, SSI, or other RSTC member organizations.
BSA Scuba Policy
BSA Scuba policy is published in various places (Aquatics Supervision & Scuba Brochure), but the most current policy is found in the online version of the Guide to Safe Scouting.

20. BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding
Counselors
Any person recognized as a SUP instructor by the ACA or equivalent organization may serve as a counselor for this award, with the approval of the local council. An ACA Level 1 or Level 2 Stand Up Paddleboarding Assessment Course or ACA Instructor certification is strongly recommended.
A person experienced in SUP skills and safety may serve as a counselor in a BSA summer camp program under the direction of a currently certified BSA Aquatics Instructor

21. Whitewater Rafting, BSA
Counselors
Any adult leader, approved by the council, who is trained in Safety Afloat and can personally verify that all instruction and skill completions were directly supervised by a professionally trained or licensed rafting guide may serve as a counselor for this award.
Such guides may be employed by council high adventure programs or commercial outfitters. Guidance for selecting a reputable rafting service is provided in the BSA publication Aquatics Supervision No

22. Mile Swim, BSA
Purpose
To encourage swimming skills and recognize Scouts who swim one mile or more.
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

23. Mile Swim, BSA How to Get the Award
Work with a qualified and certified BSA Aquatics Instructor or equivalent to do training and then swim a mile; purchase award in Scout shop.
Supply Item Description and Uniform Placement
Round patch similar to a merit badge, white background saying "mile swim" and "BSA" with a red seahorse in the middle with a blue border; worn on swim trunks, left leg side

24. Snorkeling, BSA Purpose:
The Snorkeling BSA requirements introduce Scout-age children and adult leaders to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with snorkeling; encourage the development of aquatics skills that promote fitness and recreation; and provide a foundation for those who later will participate in more advanced underwater activity.

25. Snorkeling, BSA Requirements Available online at Scouting.org
Also found in Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Pages 299 & 300.
Primary Resource
Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition
Chapter 11: The Underwater World

26. Scuba, BSA
Purpose
Scuba BSA introduces qualified Boy Scout, Venturing, and registered adult participants to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with scuba diving; encourages aquatics activities that promote fitness and recreation; and provides a foundation for those who later will participate in more advanced underwater activity.

27. Scuba, BSA Requirements
Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Pages 301 & 302.
Primary Resource
Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition
Chapter 11: The Underwater World
Scuba BSA brochure (# Printing) has out-of-date requirements, but material is good.

28. Boardsailing, BSA Purpose
To introduce basic boardsailing skills, equipment, and safety precautions; to encourage the development of skills that promote fitness and safe aquatics recreation
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

29. Boardsailing, BSA Requirements Available online at Scouting.org
Also found in Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Page 303.
Primary Resource
Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition
Chapter 24: Boardsailing

30. Kayaking, BSA
Purpose
Kayaking BSA provides an introduction to kayaking skills and safety procedures and serves as a program opportunity for Boy Scout, Varsity, and Venturing units in camp or out.
Mastery of Kayaking BSA skills is a first critical step towards satisfying Safety Afloat guidelines for safe kayak excursions.
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

31. Kayaking, BSA Requirements Available online at Scouting.org
Also found in Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Page 298.
Primary Resource
Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition
Chapter 17: Kayaking Skills
Kayaking Brochure (19-510)

32. BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding
New in June 2013
Introduced at 2013 National Jamboree
Sponsored by ACA
Brochure, flyer, certificate, patch
Purpose
The BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding award introduces Scouts to the basics of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) on calm water, including skills, equipment, self rescue, and safety precautions. This award also encourages Scouts to develop paddling skills that promote fitness and safe aquatics recreation

33. BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding
Requirements
Available online at Scouting.org
Also found in Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition - Page 310.
Primary Resource
Aquatics Supervision Manual, Latest Edition
Chapter 18: Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand Up Paddleboarding Brochure (BSA_SUP_Award.pdf)
Stand Up Paddleboarding Flyer ( )

34. BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

35. Whitewater Rafting, BSA
BSA’s newest aquatics award
Announced in June 2017
Rolled out at 2017 National Jamboree
Purpose
Many Scouting units participate in rafting trips conducted by outfitters or councils. A new aquatics award, Whitewater Rafting BSA, recognizes the challenge and adventure of such activities.

36. Whitewater Rafting, BSA
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and adult leaders in these programs.

37. Whitewater Rafting, BSA
Requirements
Available online at Scouting.org
Primary Resource
New in June 2018