VENTURING

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WELCOME

• VENTURING
• AQUATICS
• SAFETY

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Introductions
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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

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• 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

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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

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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.

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IN THE WATER SAFETYSAFE SWIM DEFENSE
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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

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Eight Points ofSafe Swim Defense

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

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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

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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

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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
• Boundariesbuoys, lines
• Diving, jumping
• Visibility of swimmers / clarity of water
• Surface swimming only in turbid water

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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

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5. Lookout

• Lookout can see everywhere
• May be the adult in charge
• Not Necessary to be a swimmer

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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

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7. Buddy System

• Pair by ability group
• Check-in / check-out together
• Lookout, guards and buddies should ensure buddies
  stay together

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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

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Eight Points ofSafe Swim Defense

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

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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

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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

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Be sure to check and follow-

• Facility rules/policies if applicable
• Local, State, Federal and International Law,
  rules and regulations

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• Questions?

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Certificate
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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

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DIVING
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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

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Elevated Entry

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

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SNORKELING
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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

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Snorkeling- Recreational Open Water
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• 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.

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Snorkeling Safety Modifications

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

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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

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• 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

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• 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

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4. Proper Equipment

• In good condition
• Properly fitted
• Inflatable Snorkeling Vests or PFDs can be used
  at discretion of the Supervisor-
• When bottom not visible
• When there is noticeable current/swells
• When gt 50yards from shore
• If participant ability dictates

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• 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

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

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5. Lifeguards/Lookouts

• 2 guards per group of 2-8 snorkelers
• If more than one group, a lookout is required

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• 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 its 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

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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

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7. Buddy System

• All participants are paired as buddies
• Check-in / check-out together
• Before the activity, they should
• Check each others 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

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SCUBA

• Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

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SCUBA, BSA- Introductory Training

• Is an introductory course that introduces some of
  SCUBA divings
• Special skills
• Equipment
• Safety Precautions
• Is taught by a SCUBA Instructor, currently
  certified by NAUI, PADI, SSI or other recognized
  agency

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• 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

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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.

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• 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
  organizations guidelines

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Recreational Open Water SCUBA diving

• Certified Venturers may group dive in open water

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• Junior Divers must buddy with an 18yo
• 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
  organizations guidelines

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• 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

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Unauthorized SCUBA activities

• Hard-Hat diving-
• Surface-supplied air-

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WATERCRAFT SAFETYSAFETY AFLOAT

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• 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

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Nine Points of Safety Afloat

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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5. Buddy System

• Adhere to the principles of the buddy system
• Individual buddies (may be more than one)
• Buddy boats on the water

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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

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7. Planning

• Float planin, out, stopovers, time, maps, etc.
• Local ruleswritten permission to cross private
  property
• Notificationparents / committee / council /
  agencies / return
• Weather check
• Contingencies

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8. Equipment

• Suited to the craft, water conditions, individual
• Good repair
• Meets Local, State and USCG requirements
• Carry spare paddles, oars, PFDs, etc
• Carry repair material on trips
• Have rescue equipment

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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

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Summary ofSafety Afloat

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

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Be sure to check and follow-

• Facility/Vessel rules/policies as applicable
• Local, State, Federal and International Law,
  rules and regulations as applicable

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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

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• Questions?

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Certificate
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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

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SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS OF SAFETY AFLOAT

• Kayaking
• Kayaking, BSA
• Kayaking Safety
• Whitewater Safety Code
• Waterskiing
• Water-Skiers Safety Code
• Boat Drivers Safety Code
• Boardsailing, BSA

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KAYAKING
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Kayaking, BSA- training

• Provides 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

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Nine Points of Kayaking Safety

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

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1. Qualified Supervision

• Experienced with the types of Kayaks Activity

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3. Swimming Ability

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

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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

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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

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WHITEWATER SAFETY
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Whitewater Safety Code

• The American Whitewater Affiliation (AWA)
• Safety Code includes ten recommendations
• for river safety
• Be a competent swimmer
• Wear a PFD
• Keep your Canoe, raft or kayak under control
  always!
• Be aware of River Hazards and avoid

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• Boating alone is not recommended (or allowed)
  preferred minimum is 3
• Be suitably equipped
• a. Wear shoes (tennis or special canoeing shoes
  are best)
• b. Tie your glasses on
• c. Carry a knife and waterproof matches (also
  compass and map)
• d. Dont wear bulky clothing that will waterlog
• e. Wear a crash helmet where upsets are likely
• f. Carry an extra paddle and repair tape
• g. Open canoes should have bow and stern lines
  (painters) securely attached so that they are
  readily available, but will not entangle in a
  spill

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• 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.

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• 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. Dont crowd rapids! Let each boat
• complete the run before the next enters
• d. Each boat is responsible for the boat
• immediately behind it.

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WATER SKIING
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Water Skiing

• A Safety Afloat activity
• Swimmer ability
• Thorough knowledge of techniques
• Efficient, careful towboat operator
• Conscientious observer
• PFDs 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

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Water-Skiers Safety Code

• Take instruction from a good instructor or
  advanced skier
• Wear a PFD
• Look ahead and know where youre 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

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• 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

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• 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 its moving

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• 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

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Boat Drivers 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 skiers ability, avoid sharp
  turns

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• 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

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WIND SURFING / BOARD SAILING
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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

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Nine Points of Boardsailing Safety

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

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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

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3. Swimming Ability

• Must be a Swimmer to participate in board sailing
  activities

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6. Skill Proficiency

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

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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

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8. Equipment

• Wet suits for cold water or cool weather

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ADDITIONAL AQUATICS SAFETY INFORMATION

• BSA Lifeguard
• Transportation
• USCG-Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check
• Unauthorized Activities
• Material Subject to Change

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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
  can become a BSA Lifeguard by completing 6 hours
  of skills development and passing the written
  test

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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Thank You