WELCOMEWELCOME

VENTURING

AQUATICS

SAFETY

VENTURING

AQUATICS

SAFETY

Introductions

Learning Objectives

As a result of this session, you should:

• Understand & appreciate important aspects of Venturing Aquatics Safety

• Be able to organize and conduct a safe Crew activity both On and In the water

• Have a thorough working knowledge of Safe Swim Defense (SSD) and Safety Afloat (SA) and be able to apply them to assure safe Crew activities

• Have a working knowledge of the special modifications to SSD/SA for specialized or advanced aquatics activities

• Understand what Aquatics Activities are PROHIBITED

Disclaimer….• This session presents applicable Aquatics

Safety information for Venturing activities at the Unit level

• This session does not cover the unique rules, regulations, policy and procedures applicable to District and Council sponsored activities

• This session does not cover the unique rules, regulations, policy and procedures applicable to Boy Scout or Cub Scout activities

Who Can Teach

Safe Swim Defense and Safety afloat training can be given by any person authorized by the council, including a BSA Aquatics resource person, a unit leader with aquatics skill, or any other person with aquatics knowledge or experience whom the local council has approved.

IN THE WATER SAFETY

SAFE SWIM DEFENSE

Safe Swim Defense

• What is the requirement before a Crew engages in swimming activity?

– Minimum of one adult leader must:

• Complete Safe Swim Defense training

• Have a commitment card with them

• Agree to use the eight points of the plan

Eight Points ofSafe Swim Defense

• Qualified supervision• Physical fitness• Safe area• Lifeguards on duty• Lookout• Ability groups• Buddy system• Discipline

1. Qualified Supervision

• 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• Not necessarily a Swimmer• Strongly recommended at least one adult or

older youth qualified as BSA lifeguard

2. Physical Fitness

• 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

3. Safe Area

• Three groups– Maximum depth 3.5 feet for non-swimmers– Just over head for beginners– Maximum 12 feet for swimmers

• Bottom- clear of obstructions & hazards• Boundaries—buoys, lines• Diving, jumping• Visibility of swimmers / clarity of water• Surface swimming only in turbid water

4. Lifeguards on Duty

• Swim only when lifeguards are on duty

• Recommended, not required to be certified

• The unit may designate two strong swimmers– Equipped with a lifeline (100 ft of 3/8” nylon)– One goes, other pulls rescuer and rescuee in– Rowboat, reach/throw/go devices are good– One lifeguard for every 10 swimmers, min 2

5. Lookout

• Lookout can see everywhere

• May be the adult in charge

• Not Necessary to be a swimmer

6. Ability Groups

• Non-swimmers, beginners, swimmers• Beginners: jump feet first in water over head,

swim 25 feet, stop, turn, return to starting point• Swimmers: jump feet first in water over head,

swim 75 yards strongly using sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgeon, or crawl. Then swim 25 yards using resting backstroke. No stops, one sharp turn, followed by floating.

• Annual testing; note parental certification on Venturing “Approval by Parents” form

7. Buddy System

• Pair by ability group

• Check-in / check-out together

• Lookout, guards and buddies should ensure buddies stay together

8. Discipline

• Swimming is allowed only with proper supervision and complete Safe Swim Defense

• Review the rules before the outing

• Review the rules on the beach

• Enforce the rules fairly and consistently

Eight Points ofSafe Swim Defense

• Qualified supervision• Physical fitness• Safe area• Lifeguards on duty• Lookout• Ability groups• Buddy system• Discipline

Pool and Surf

• You may use facility personnel as your lifeguards and lookouts, but maintain the buddy system

• Surf brings possibility of wave action, currents, undertow, rip, jellyfish, etc. and precautions/training of participants should be taken prior and during the activity

Other In-The-Water Activities

Diving and Elevated Entry into the water• There are additional requirements when

diving and/or entry is involved

SCUBA and Snorkeling• SCUBA and Snorkeling have their own

safety recommendations and procedures• These supplement and in some portion

supersede Safe Swim Defense

Be sure to check and follow-

• Facility rules/policies if applicable

• Local, State, Federal and International Law, rules and regulations

Questions?

Certificate

Resources• Who can teach SSD to your Crew?

– As a Unit Leader YOU CAN and YOU SHOULD

• What are your teaching resources?– Guide to Safe Scouting, available online at

www.scouting.org/pubs/gss , the Safe Swim Defense pamphlet, video, and these slides

• Who are your lifeguard/supervision resources?– Adults and Youth in your Crew– Facility personnel– Expert Consultants

DIVING

Diving Safety

• Diving refers to other than feet first entry• All entries feet first in water less than 7’• All entries feet first in turbid water (a 12”

white disk is not visible at 3’)• Diving allowed from dock/platform/pier no

higher than 18” off the water in 7’ water• Diving allowed from 18-40” in 9-12’ water.• Diving clearance should be 15’ on sides,

25’ in front of dive location

Elevated Entry

• Entries from 40-60” should be feet first in 10-12’ deep water with 15’ side and 25’ forward clearance.

SNORKELING

Snorkeling, BSA- Training

• Is required prior to Open Water Snorkeling

• Snorkeling, BSA may given by any– BSA Aquatics Instructor or a Person trained

and assigned by a BSA Aquatics Instructor– Person certified to conduct Snorkeling training

by PADI, NAUI or other BSA recognized agency

– Training consists of three 45 minute sessions and is conducted in clear, confined water with a maximum depth of 12’

Snorkeling- Recreational Open Water

• What is the requirement before a Crew engages in a Snorkeling activity?– Minimum of one adult leader must:

• Complete Safe Swim Defense training• Have a commitment card with them• Understand Snorkeling Safety• Agree to use the eight points of the plan• Possesses skills and knowledge matching the

Snorkeling, BSA award.

Snorkeling Safety Modifications

• Qualified supervision• Physical fitness• Safe area• Proper Equipment• Lifeguards/Lookout• Ability groups• Buddy system• Discipline

3. Safe Area

• Training- Clear water, pool recommended

• Open Water-– Clear Water, daylight conditions– Temporary area of flexible extent– In a natural body of water– Need not have boundary markers– Generally a 50’ radius around a reference on

shore, a boat or a float

• Consider/plan emergency response

• Guards should be able to both see and reach the bottom or participants should wear flotation equipment

• Watch for excessive currents

• River snorkeling may require upstream entry, downstream exit

• Adjust time in water based on temperature and sun exposure

• Consider dive cancellation/abbreviation for worsening/unexpected adverse conditions– Water depth/clarity– Weather– Hostile Marine life– Bottom conditions– Vegetation

4. Proper Equipment

• In good condition

• Properly fitted

• Inflatable Snorkeling Vests or PFD’s can be used at discretion of the Supervisor-– When bottom not visible– When there is noticeable current/swells– When > 50yards from shore– If participant ability dictates

• Use Dive Flag in all open water sites

• Dive Flags and their use should follow local/state/federal regulations

• Protective clothing/wet suits may be worn

• Weight belts may not be used

• Lifesaving equipment ready for immediate use and in good repair-– Flotation device such as rescue tube, PFD,

reaching/throwing devices, body board/small craft are recommended as appropriate

• Dive Boats (if appropriate)– Radio– First Aid kit– Deploy safety line

5. Lifeguards/Lookouts

– 2 guards per group of 2-8 snorkelers

– If more than one group, a lookout is required

• Lookout may also be the supervisor

• Lookout Should have audible/visible means to recall all the groups

• If using a boat, Lookout should remain aboard and be skilled in using it and it’s radio

• Lookout and Guards must know the number of people in the water at all times

• Buddy boards/tags or equivalent must be used to account for everyone in the water and on their return

6. Ability Groups• Beginners and Non-swimmers may only

use equipment in appropriate depth, confined, clear water during instruction and closely supervised recreational activity

• Training for, and award of Snorkeling, BSA is limited to Swimmers

• Snorkeling, BSA completion is required for open water snorkeling

7. Buddy System

• All participants are paired as buddies

• Check-in / check-out together

• Before the activity, they should– Check each other’s equipment– Review hand signals

• Lookout, guards and buddies should ensure buddies stay together

• Breath hold diving done one person at a time, with their buddy remaining at surface

SCUBA

Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

SCUBA, BSA- Introductory Training

• Is an introductory course that introduces some of SCUBA diving’s– Special skills– Equipment– Safety Precautions

• Is taught by a SCUBA Instructor, currently certified by NAUI, PADI, SSI or other recognized agency

• Is designed to be educational

• Is designed to be fun

• Is conducted in a swimming pool or an established waterfront with pool-like visibility under close supervision of the certified Instructor

• IS NOT a Diver certification course

• There is a SCUBA Safety for this course

SCUBA – Certification Training

• SCUBA certification training is authorized for Venturing members as a Crew activity

• Training is authorized by the BSA when given by NAUI, PADI & SSI instructors.

• If instructors from these Organizations are not available, the local council may approve others that follow the RSTC guidelines after consulting with the BSA

• Safety rules and procedures are the responsibility of the instructor, using his/her organization’s guidelines

Recreational Open Water SCUBA diving

• Certified Venturers may group dive in open water

• Junior Divers must buddy with an 18+yo

• Dives must be supervised by a currently certified NAUI/PADI/SSI:– Dive Master, Assistant Instructor– Or any higher leadership certification

• A certified Instructor should screen and evaluate participant skills to ensure currency and skill proficiency

• Safety rules and procedures are the responsibility of the supervisor, using his/her organization’s guidelines

• Persons NOT ALLOWED to dive – symptomatic or active Asthma/Reactive Airway Disorder including (at a minimum):– Currently taking medication for asthma/RAD– Has received treatment for bronchospasm

within the past five years– Has exercise-induced bronchospasm– Has cold induce bronchospasm

– Asymptomatic persons should be approved by a pulmonary specialist familiar with diving medicine

Unauthorized SCUBA activities

• “Hard-Hat diving”-

• Surface-supplied air-

WATERCRAFT SAFETY

SAFETY AFLOAT

• 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• Ensure someone is a certified CPR resource

Nine Points of Safety Afloat

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

1. Qualified Supervision• 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• One Supervisor required per each 10 participants,

with a minimum of 2 and at least one must be a CPR resource

• Strongly recommended at least one adult or older youth qualified as BSA lifeguard

2. Physical Fitness

• 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

3. Swimming Ability

• 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; parental certification on “Approval of Parent or Guardian” form

4. Personal Flotation Equipment

• Properly fitted

• USCG approved

• Worn by everyone on the open water

– Rowing, canoeing, sailing, boardsailing, motor boating, waterskiing, rafting, tubing, kayaking

• Type II / III recommended, Type I is acceptable

5. Buddy System

• Adhere to the principles of the buddy system

• Individual buddies (may be more than one)

• “Buddy boats” on the water

6. Skill Proficiency• Everyone trained and experienced in watercraft

handling skills, safety, and emergency procedures• Whitewater: All complete special whitewater

training by a qualified BSA Aquatics Instructor or other qualified specialist / expert consultant

• Powerboats: Meet BSA Motor boating merit badge or equivalent

• Otherwise: Three hours training and practice or “basic handling tests” for float trips or open water excursions in un-powered craft

7. Planning• 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

8. Equipment

• Suited to the craft, water conditions, individual

• Good repair

• Meets Local, State and USCG requirements

• Carry spare paddles, oars, PFD’s, etc

• Carry repair material on trips

• Have rescue equipment

9. Discipline

• All know, understand and respect rules and procedures for Safety Afloat

• Review the rules before the outing

• Review the rules on the beach– Insure youth and adults understand “why”

• Enforce the rules fairly and consistently

Summary ofSafety Afloat

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

Be sure to check and follow-

• Facility/Vessel rules/policies as applicable

• Local, State, Federal and International Law, rules and regulations as applicable

Cruising Vessels in Venturing

“The Standards and procedures in the Sea Scout Manual may be substituted for the Safety Afloat standards.” when the Crew is

• on an Adult supervised Crew activity &

• specializing in watercraft operations &

• using powerboats/sailboats over 20’ length

• not using rowboats, canoes, kayaks, rafts

Questions?

Certificate

Resources• Who can teach Safety Afloat to your Crew?

– As a Unit Leader YOU CAN and YOU SHOULD

• What are your teaching resources?– Guide to Safe Scouting, available online at

www.scouting.org/pubs/gss , the Safety Afloat pamphlet, video, and these slides

• Who are your supervision resources?– Adults and Youth in your Crew– Facility/Vessel personnel– Expert Consultants

SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS OF SAFETY AFLOAT

Kayaking

Kayaking, BSA

Kayaking Safety

Whitewater Safety Code

Waterskiing

Water-Skier’s Safety Code

Boat Driver’s Safety Code

Boardsailing, BSA

KAYAKING

Kayaking, BSA- trainingProvides an introduction to Basic Flat Water

Kayaking Skills and Safety procedures

Prepares participants for more advanced Touring and Whitewater Courses

• Taught by any person recognized as a Kayak Instructor by the American Canoe Assoc or equivalent who is also trained in Safety Afloat

• Kayak and Gear knowledge• Boarding, capsize, aiding capsized paddler,

Kayak-over-Kayak assist Basic Skills• Forward, Sweep, Draw, Rudder, & Back Strokes

Nine Points of Kayaking Safety

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

1. Qualified Supervision• Experienced with the types of Kayaks &

Activity

3. Swimming Ability

• Each participant must be a swimmer to participate in training or to solo a kayak

6. Skill Proficiency• Kayaking BSA qualifies for flat water of a

limited extent

• Kayak trips require additional training in Emergency equipment and communication

• Ocean and River trips require training for waves, moving water and “reading” the environment

8. Equipment

• Safety Helmets for Whitewater

• Trek Safety gear in Kayaks or support craft– Navigation Aids– Weather radios– Individual signal devices– Throw bags– First aid kits– Spare paddles – Spare clothing

WHITEWATER SAFETY

Whitewater Safety Code

The American Whitewater Affiliation (AWA)

Safety Code includes ten recommendations

for river safety:

1. Be a competent swimmer

2. Wear a PFD

3. Keep your Canoe, raft or kayak under control – always!

4. Be aware of River Hazards and avoid

5. Boating alone is not recommended (or allowed); preferred minimum is 3

6. Be suitably equippeda. Wear shoes (tennis or special canoeing shoes

are best)b. Tie your glasses onc. Carry a knife and waterproof matches (also

compass and map)d. Don’t wear bulky clothing that will waterloge. Wear a crash helmet where upsets are likely f. Carry an extra paddle and repair tapeg. Open canoes should have bow and stern lines

(painters) securely attached so that they are readily available, but will not entangle in a spill

7. In an out-of-boat experience, Swim on your back in fast water, keeping your feet and legs downstream and high, keep watching ahead.

8. When you start to spill, keep the upstream gunwale high.

9. If you do spill, hang on to your boat and get to the upstream end. Note: if you are heading into rough rapids and quick rescue is not expected, or if water is numbing cold, then swim for shore or a rock where you can climb out of the water.

10. When you are with a group (always the case in Venturing):

a. organize the group to even out ability

b. Keep the group compact for mutual

support

c. Don’t crowd rapids! Let each boat

complete the run before the next enters

d. Each boat is responsible for the boat

immediately behind it.

WATER SKIING

Water Skiing• A Safety Afloat activity• Swimmer ability• Thorough knowledge of techniques• Efficient, careful towboat operator• Conscientious observer• PFD’s worn by all• Skis in good shape• Boat driven solely for benefit of skier• Away from docks, swimmers, boats,

fishing and other objects in the water

Water-Skier’s Safety Code

• Take instruction from a good instructor or advanced skier

• Wear a PFD• Look ahead and know where you’re going• Stay away from solid objects• Be courteous and stay a reasonable

distance from other skiers, boats and swimmers

• Run parallel to shore and come in slowly when landing

• Learn new maneuvers progressively

• Have a person in the boat dedicated only to watching the skier

• Signal that your are all right after a fall by clasping your hands overhead or waving

• Hold up a ski while waiting in busy areas

• Check your equipment for dangerous, sharp or protruding objects

• Never ski in water you do not know the depth. Minimum safe is 5’ or your height

• Never ski to the point of exhaustion

• Never put any part of your body through the bridle or wrap the rope around any part of your body

• Never signal the driver to start until the rope is tight and your ski tips are up

• Never ski at night

• Never ski ahead of another boat

• Never ski double with different length rope

• Never attempt fast landings directly towards shore

• Never jump from the boat while it’s moving

• Never climb into the boat or approach the stern while the motor is running

• Use a stern platform or ladder when climbing into the boat

Boat Driver’s Safety Codefor Water Ski Boating

• Always have a dedicated observer onboard to watch the water skier while you watch forward

• The Skier is your primary responsibility

• Return quickly to protect a fallen skier from oncoming boat traffic

• Drive according to skier’s ability, avoid sharp turns

• Shift to neutral when passing a fallen skier

• Turn off motor when picking up skier

• Use common sense and courtesy

• Take a skier into the boat using ladder or low rear deck-avoid contact with motor or rudder

• Let no one to ride the gunwale or seat back

• Never increase speed bringing in a skier

• Never tow skiers in congested areas

• Never two skiers in swimming areas

WIND SURFING / BOARD SAILING

Boardsailing, BSA

• Introduces youth to basic boardsailing (Windsurfing) skills, equipment and safety precautions

• Taught by any person certified as an instructor by Windsurfer International, or the U.S. Board Sailing Association

• Instruction in recreational activity must be conducted according to the BSA guidelines for Boardsailing

Nine Points of Boardsailing Safety

• Qualified supervision• Physical fitness• Swimming ability• Personal flotation equipment• Buddy system• Skill proficiency• Planning/Safe Area• Equipment• Discipline

1. Qualified Supervision

• Trained and committed to Boardsailing guidelines and procedures

• Must be an experienced Boardsailor or assisted by and adult or older youth with such experience

3. Swimming Ability

• Must be a Swimmer to participate in board sailing activities

6. Skill Proficiency

• All participants should receive instruction in boardsailing skills and safety from an experienced board sailor

7. Planning/Safe Area

• Weather forecast check, check actual conditions• Must stay within view and easy rescue range of a

lookout with an appropriately equipped rescue boat• Use designate boardsailing beaches when available• Avoid swimming Areas• Avoid Fishermen• Avoid Underwater Diving activity• Avoid boat traffic• When in difficulty, stay with the boat• No boardsailing at night, dusk or rough weather

8. Equipment

• Wet suits for cold water or cool weather

ADDITIONAL AQUATICS SAFETY INFORMATION

BSA Lifeguard

Transportation

USCG-Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check

Unauthorized Activities

Material Subject to Change

BSA LIFEGUARD• Covers the full range of On and In-The-Water Aquatics protection needs in Venturing type environments.

• Highly recommended for any unit.

• It teaches the skills and knowledge necessary to implement SSD & SA

• A currently certified Red Cross Lifeguard canbecome a BSA Lifeguard by completing 6 hours of skills development and passingthe written test

TRANSPORTATIONGuide To Safe Scouting Ch. XII

• Do not tow rowboats/canoes w/sail/power

• Canoeists need proficiency in launching, landing, paddling, handling & swamping

• 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

• Metal-to-metal contact when refueling

• No passengers when refueling

VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS(Courtesy Marine Examinations)

• Proper Equipment involves checking for safety• For smaller craft, items to check are taught in the

basic instruction courses.• For larger craft, 16’+, information on what you need

to check or to arrange a courtesy examination by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary can be found at www.safetyseal.net/what_is_vsc.asp

Activities NOT AUTHORIZED“MOTORIZED PERSONAL WATERCRAFT,

such as Jet Skis are not authorized for use in Scouting Aquatics, and their use should not be permitted in or near BSA program Areas.”

Activities NOT AUTHORIZED“PARASAILING, or any activity in which a

person is carried aloft by a parachute, parasail, kite or other device towed by a motorboat or by any other means is unauthorized.”

MATERIALS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

• Check the latest guidelines prior to each outing• The BSA is a dynamic organization• Policy is modified to incorporate industry- wide

advances in risk management• Changes will be reflected as implemented in the

Guide to Safe Scouting:– www.scouting.org/pubs/gss– Chapter II. Aquatics Safety– Chapter IX. Sports & Activities;

Unauthorized & and Restricted– Chapter XII. Transportation

Thank You