AQUATIC SAFETY OVERVIEW

Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat have been developed to promote safe swimming and boating safety and to set standards for safe unit aquatics activities.

Before a BSA group may engage in swimming activities of any kind, a minimum of one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training, have a commitment card (No. 34243) with them, and agree to use the eight defenses in this plan.

Before a BSA group may engage in an excursion, expedition, or trip on the water (canoe, raft, sailboat, motorboat, rowboat, tube, or other craft), adult leaders for such activity must complete Safety Afloat Training, No. 34159A, have a commitment card, No. 34242A, with them, and be dedicated to full compliance with all nine points of Safety Afloat.

One of the best opportunities for Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat training is at summer camp.

The classification of Swimming Ability is accomplished with the BSA Swimmer Test which is also performed at camp.

Pool and Surf Swimming

The Safe Swim Defense applies to swimming at the beach, private or public pool, wilderness pond, stream, lake, or anywhere Scouts swim. Here are some additional points for the pool and the surf.

Pool - If the swimming activity is in a public facility where others are using the pool at the same time, and the pool operator provides guard personnel, there may be no need for additional designation of Scout lifeguards and lookout.

The buddy system is critically important, however, even in a public pool. Remember, even in a crowd, you are alone without protection if no one is attentive to your circumstances.

The rule that people swim only in water suited to their ability and with others of similar ability applies in a pool environment. Most public pools divide shallow and deep water, and this may be sufficient for defining appropriate swimming areas. If not, the supervisor should clearly indicate to the participating Scouts the appropriate areas of the public facility. Although such procedures add a margin of safety, their use may not always be practical when the swim activity is conducted at a public facility where non-Scouts are present. A responsible adult supervisor, who understands his or her responsibility and the elements of safety, can exercise discretion regarding certain procedures while maintaining safety.

Surf - The surf swimming environment of wave action, currents, tides, undertow, runouts, and sea pests like stinging jellyfish requires precautions for safe swimming that aren't necessary in other environments. A swimmer's physical condition is very important and should enable the swimmer to recover footing in waves, swim vigorously for at least five minutes without becoming exhausted, and remain calm and in control when faced with unexpected conditions.

Designated swimming areas are marked by flags or pennants that are easily seen. Beginners and non-swimmers are positioned inshore from the standing lifeguards equipped with reach poles. Better swimmers are permitted seaward of the lifeguard but must remain shoreward of anchored marker buoys. The lifeguard to swimmer ratio should always be 1 to 10, with a rescue team stationed at the beach area and supplied with a rescue tube or torpedo buoy.

Safe Swim Defense

The eight points of the Safe Swim Defense program are:

1. Qualified Supervision
2. Physical Fitness
3. Safe Area
4. Lifeguards on duty
5. Lookout
6. Ability Groups
7. Buddy System
8. Discipline

The full Safe Swim Defense training course is now available online. Click HERE to view it.

Safety Afloat

The nine points of the Safety Afloat program are:

1. Qualified Supervision
2. Physical Fitness
3. Swimming Ability
4. Buddy System
5. Personal Flotation
6. Skill Proficiency
7. Planning
8. Equipment
9. Discipline

The full Safety Afloat training course is now available online.  Click HERE to view it.