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SAFETY AFLOATBSA groups shall use Safety Afloat for all boating activities. Adultleaders supervising activities afloat must have completed SafetyAfloat training within the previous two years. Cub Scout activitiesafloat are limited to council or district events that do not includemoving water or float trips (expeditions). Safety Afloat standardsapply to the use of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, floating tubes,sailboats, motorboats (including waterskiing), and other smallcraft, but do not apply to transportation on large commercialvessels such as ferries and cruise ships. Parasailing (being towedairborne behind a boat using a parachute), kitesurfing (using awakeboard towed by a kite), and recreational use of personalwatercraft (small sit-on-top motorboats propelled by water jets) arenot authorized BSA activities.3.Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth. Level offand swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more ofthe following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, orcrawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stopsand must include at least one sharp turn. After completingthe swim, rest by floating.2.For activity afloat, those not classified as a swimmer arelimited to multiperson craft during outings or float trips oncalm water with little likelihood of capsizing or fallingoverboard. They may operate a fixed-seat rowboat or pedalboat accompanied by a buddy who is a swimmer. They mayride in a canoe or other paddle craft with an adult swimmerskilled in that craft as a buddy. They may ride as part of agroup on a motorboat or sailboat operated by a skilled adult.Qualified SupervisionAll activity afloat must be supervised by a mature andconscientious adult age 21 or older who understands andknowingly accepts responsibility for the wellbeing and safetyof those in his or her care and who is trained in andcommitted to compliance with the nine points of BSA SafetyAfloat. That supervisor must be skilled in the safe operationof the craft for the specific activity, knowledgeable in accidentprevention, and prepared for emergency situations. If theadult with Safety Afloat training lacks the necessary boatoperating and safety skills, then he or she may serve as thesupervisor only if assisted by other adults, camp staffpersonnel, or professional tour guides who have theappropriate skills. Additional leadership is provided in ratiosof one trained adult, staff member, or guide per 10participants. For Cub Scouts, the leadership ratio is onetrained adult, staff member, or guide per five participants. Atleast one leader must be trained in first aid including CPR.Any swimming done in conjunction with the activity afloatmust be supervised in accordance with BSA Safe SwimDefense standards. It is strongly recommended that all unitshave at least one adult or older youth member currentlytrained in BSA Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety toassist in the planning and conduct of all activities afloat.Personal Health ReviewA complete health history is required of all participants asevidence of fitness for boating activities. Forms for minorsmust be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Participantsshould be asked to relate any recent incidents of illness orinjury just prior to the activity. Supervision and protectionshould be adjusted to anticipate any potential risksassociated with individual health conditions. For significanthealth conditions, the adult supervisor should require anexamination by a physician and consult with parent,guardian, or caregiver for appropriate precautions.Whitewater - Merit Badge WorkbookSwimming AbilityOperation of any boat on a float trip is limited to youth andadults who have completed the BSA swimmer classificationtest. Swimmers must complete the following test, whichshould be administered annually.Safety Afloat training may be obtained from the BSA OnlineLearning Center at www.scouting.org, at council summer camps,and at other council and district training events. Confirmation oftraining is required on local and national tour permits for trips thatinvolve boating. Additional guidance on appropriate skill levelsand training resources is provided in the Aquatics Supervisionguide available from council service centers.1.Page 1 of 24.Life JacketsProperly fitted U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets mustbe worn by all persons engaged in boating activity (rowing,canoeing, sailing, boardsailing, motorboating, waterskiing,rafting, tubing, and kayaking). Type III life jackets arerecommended for general recreational use.For vessels over 20 feet in length, life jackets need not beworn when participants are below deck or on deck when thequalified supervisor aboard the vessel determines that it isprudent to abide by less-restrictive state and federalregulations concerning the use and storage of life jackets, forexample, when a cruising vessel with safety rails is atanchor. All participants not classified as swimmers mustwear a life jacket when on deck underway.Life jackets need not be worn when an activity falls underSafe Swim Defense guidelines—for example, when aninflated raft is used in a pool or when snorkeling from ananchored craft.5.Buddy SystemAll participants in an activity afloat are paired as buddies whoare always aware of each other’s situation and prepared tosound an alarm and lend assistance immediately whenneeded. When several craft are used on a float trip, eachboat on the water should have a “buddy boat.” All buddypairs must be accounted for at regular intervals during theactivity and checked off the water by the qualified supervisorat the conclusion of the activity. Buddies either ride in thesame boat or stay near each other in single-person craft.Page. 13 of 16

SAFETY AFLOAT6.Skill Proficiencyequipment, food, and shuttle services. Lists of group and personalequipment and supplies must be compiled and checked. Evenshort trips require selecting a route, checking water levels, anddetermining alternative pull-out locations. Changes in water level,especially on moving water, may pose significant, variable safetyconcerns. Obtain current charts and information about thewaterway and consult those who have traveled the route recently.Everyone in an activity afloat must have sufficient knowledge andskill to participate safely. Passengers should know how theirmovement affects boat stability and have a basic understanding ofself-rescue. Boat operators must meet government requirements,be able to maintain control of their craft, know how changes in theenvironment influence that control, and undertake activities only thatare within their personal and group capabilities.Float Plan. Complete the preparation by writing a detailed itinerary,or float plan, noting put-in and pullout locations and waypoints,along with the approximate time the group should arrive at each.Travel time should be estimated generously. Notification. File thefloat plan with parents, the local council office if traveling on runningwater, and local authorities if appropriate. Assign a member of theunit committee to alert authorities if prearranged check-ins areoverdue. Make sure everyone is promptly notified when the trip isconcluded.Content of training exercises should be appropriate for the age,size, and experience of the participants, and should cover basicskills on calm water of limited extent before proceeding to advancedskills involving current, waves, high winds, or extended distance. Ata minimum, instructors for canoes and kayaks should be able todemonstrate the handling and rescue skills required for BSAAquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety. All instructors musthave a least one assistant who can recognize and respondappropriately if the instructor’s safety is compromised.Weather. Check the weather forecast just before setting out, andkeep an alert weather eye. Anticipate changes and bring all craftashore when rough weather threatens. Wait at least 30 minutesbefore resuming activities after the last incidence of thunder orlightning.Anyone engaged in recreational boating using human powered crafton flatwater ponds or controlled lake areas free of conflictingactivities should be instructed in basic safety procedures prior tolaunch, and allowed to proceed after they have demonstrated theability to control the boat adequately to return to shore at will.Contingencies. Planning must identify possible emergencies andother circumstances that could force a change of plans. Developalternative plans for each situation. Identify local emergencyresources such as EMS systems, sheriff’s departments, or rangerstations. Check your primary communication system, and identifybackups, such as the nearest residence to a campsite. Cell phonesand radios may lose coverage, run out of power, or suffer waterdamage.For recreational sailing, at least one person aboard should be ableto demonstrate basic sailing proficiency (tacking, reaching, andrunning) sufficient to return the boat to the launch point. Extendedcruising on a large sailboat requires either a professional captain oran adult with sufficient experience to qualify as a bareboat skipper.Motorboats may be operated by youth, subject to staterequirements, only when accompanied in the boat by anexperienced leader or camp staff member who meets staterequirements for motorboat operation. Extended cruising on a largepower boat requires either a professional captain or an adult withsimilar qualifications.8.Unit trips on whitewater above Class II must be done with either aprofessional guide in each craft or after all participants havereceived American Canoe Association or equivalent training for theclass of water and type of craft involved.9.PlanningProper planning is necessary to ensure a safe, enjoyable exerciseafloat. All plans should include a scheduled itinerary, notification ofappropriate parties, communication arrangements, contingencies incase of foul weather or equipment failure, and emergency responseoptions.Preparation. Any boating activity requires access to the properequipment and transportation of gear and participants to the site.Determine what state and local regulations are applicable. Getpermission to use or cross private property. Determine whetherpersonal resources will be used or whether outfitters will supplyEquipmentAll craft must be suitable for the activity, be seaworthy, and float ifcapsized. All craft and equipment must meet regulatory standards,be properly sized, and be in good repair. Spares, repair materials,and emergency gear must be carried as appropriate. Life jacketsand paddles must be sized to the participants. Properly designedand fitted helmets must be worn when running rapids rated aboveClass II. Emergency equipment such as throw bags, signal devices,flashlights, heat sources, first-aid kits, radios, and maps must beready for use. Spare equipment, repair materials, extra food andwater, and dry clothes should be appropriate for the activity. Allgear should be stowed to prevent loss and water damage. For floattrips with multiple craft, the number of craft should be sufficient tocarry the party if a boat is disabled, and critical supplies should bedivided among the craft.Before a unit using human-powered craft controlled by youthembarks on a float trip or excursion that covers an extendeddistance or lasts longer than four hours, each participant shouldreceive either a minimum of three hours training and supervisedpractice, or demonstrate proficiency in maneuvering the crafteffectively over a 100-yard course and recovering from a capsize.7.Page 2 of 2DisciplineRules are effective only when followed. All participants shouldknow, understand, and respect the rules and procedures for safeboating activities provided by Safety Afloat guidelines. Applicablerules should be discussed prior to the outing and reviewed for allparticipants near the boarding area just before the activity afloatbegins. People are more likely to follow directions when they knowthe reasons for rules and procedures. Consistent, impartiallyapplied rules supported by skill and good judgment providestepping-stones to a safe, enjoyable outing.For additional information on Safety Afloat, go to float.aspx.Whitewater - Merit Badge WorkbookPage. 14 of 16

SAFE SWIM DEFENSEBSA groups shall use Safe Swim Defense for all swimmingactivities. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must havecompleted Safe Swim Defense training within the previous twoyears. Safe Swim Defense standards apply at backyard, hotel,apartment, and public pools; at established waterfront swim areassuch as beaches at state parks and U.S. Army Corps of Engineerslakes; and at all temporary swimming areas such as a lake, river,or ocean. Safe Swim Defense does not apply to boating or wateractivities such as waterskiing or swamped boat drills that arecovered by Safety Afloat guidelines. Safe Swim Defense appliesto other nonswimming activities whenever participants enter waterover knee deep or when submersion is likely, for example, whenfording a stream, seining for bait, or constructing a bridge as apioneering project. Snorkeling in open water requires eachparticipant to have demonstrated knowledge and skills equivalentto those for Snorkeling BSA in addition to following Safe SwimDefense. Scuba activities must be conducted in accordance withthe BSA Scuba policy found in the Guide to Safe Scouting.Because of concerns with hyperventilation, competitiveunderwater swimming events are not permitted in Scouting.Safe Swim Defense training may be obtained from the BSA OnlineLearning Center at olc.scouting.org, at council summer camps,and at other council and district training events. Confirmation oftraining is required on local and national tour permits for trips thatinvolve swimming. Additional information on various swimmingvenues is provided in the Aquatics Supervision guide availablefrom council service centers.1.2.3.Qualified SupervisionAll swimming activity must be supervised by a mature andconscientious adult age 21 or older who understands andknowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being and safetyof those in his or her care, and who is trained in andcommitted to compliance with the eight points of BSA SafeSwim Defense. It is strongly recommended that all units haveat least one adult or older youth member currently trained inBSA Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue orBSA Lifeguard to assist in planning and conducting allswimming activities.Personal Health ReviewA complete health history is required of all participants asevidence of fitness for swimming activities. Forms for minorsmust be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Participantsshould be asked to relate any recent incidents of illness orinjury just prior to the activity. Supervision and protectionshould be adjusted to anticipate any potential risksassociated with individual health conditions. For significanthealth conditions, the adult supervisor should require anexamination by a physician and consult with the parent,guardian, or caregiver for appropriate precautions.Safe AreaAll swimming areas must be carefully inspected andprepared for safety prior to each activity. Water depth,quality, temperature, movement, and clarity are importantconsiderations. Hazards must be eliminated or isolated byconspicuous markings and discussed with participants.Page 1 of 2Controlled Access: There must be safe areas for allparticipating ability groups to enter and leave the water.Swimming areas of appropriate depth must be defined foreach ability group. The entire area must be within easy reachof designated rescue personnel. The area must be clear ofboat traffic, surfing, or other nonswimming activities.Bottom Conditions and Depth: The bottom must be clearof trees and debris. Abrupt changes in depth are not allowedin the nonswimmer area. Isolated underwater hazards shouldbe marked with floats. Rescue personnel must be able toeasily reach the bottom. Maximum recommended waterdepth in clear water is 12 feet. Maximum water depth inturbid water is 8 feet.Visibility: Underwater swimming and diving are prohibited inturbid water. Turbid water exists when a swimmer treadingwater cannot see his feet. Swimming at night is allowed onlyin areas with water clarity and lighting sufficient for goodvisibility both above and below the surface.Diving and Elevated Entry: Diving is permitted only intoclear, unobstructed water from heights no greater than 40inches. Water depth must be at least 7 feet. Bottom depthcontours below diving boards and elevated surfaces requiregreater water depths and must conform to state regulations.Persons should not jump into water from heights greater thanthey are tall, and should jump only into water chest deep orgreater with minimal risk from contact with the bottom. Noelevated entry is permitted where the person must clear anyobstacle, including land.Water Temperature: Comfortable water temperature forswimming is near 80 degrees. Activity in water at 70 degreesor less should be of limited duration and closely monitored fornegative effects of chilling.Water Quality: Bodies of stagnant, foul water, areas withsignificant algae or foam, or areas polluted by livestock orwaterfowl should be avoided. Comply with any signs postedby local health authorities. Swimming is not allowed inswimming pools with green, murky, or cloudy water.Moving Water: Participants should be able to easily regainand maintain their footing in currents or waves. Areas withlarge waves, swiftly flowing currents, or moderate currentsthat flow toward the open sea or into areas of danger shouldbe avoided.Weather: Participants should be moved from the water to aposition of safety whenever lightning or thunder threatens.Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash orthunder before leaving shelter. Take precautions to preventsunburn, dehydration, and hypothermia.Life Jacket Use: Swimming in clear water over 12 feet deep,in turbid water over 8 feet deep, or in flowing water may beallowed if all participants wear properly fitted, Coast Guard–approved life jackets and the supervisor determines thatswimming with life jackets is safe under the circumstances.

SAFE SWIM DEFENSE4.5.6.Response Personnel (Lifeguards)Every swimming activity must be closely and continuouslymonitored by a trained rescue team on the alert for and readyto respond during emergencies. Professionally trainedlifeguards satisfy this need when provided by a regulatedfacility or tour operator. When lifeguards are not provided byothers, the adult supervisor must assign at least two rescuepersonnel, with additional numbers to maintain a ratio of onerescuer to every 10 participants. The supervisor must provideinstruction and rescue equipment and assign areas ofresponsibility as outlined in Aquatics Supervision, No. 34346.The qualified supervisor, the designated response personnel,and the lookout work together as a safety team. Anemergency action plan should be formulated and shared withparticipants as appropriate.Anyone who has not completed either the beginner orswimmer tests is classified as a nonswimmer.The nonswimmer area should be no more than waist to chestdeep and should be enclosed by physical boundaries suchas the shore, a pier, o

Whitewater - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 6 of 16 3. Before doing requirements 4 through 12, earn the Canoeing merit badge if you will be using a canoe to earn this merit badge. If you will be using a kayak, earn the Kayaking merit badge. Earn the Canoeing merit badge Earn the Kayaking merit badge Then do the following: