Aquatics Safety

1
Aquatics Safety

• Safety Afloat
• Northern Star District

Presentation By Rob Freas Skipper, Sea Scout Ship
468 Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 468
2
The Problem

• Any personal experiences with accidents or
  near-misses while afloat?

The Response

• The Safety Afloat program was developed by the
  BSA to promote boating and boating safety and
  to set the standards for safe unit activity
  afloat.

3
The Policy

• Before a BSA group may engage in an excursion,
  expedition, or trip on the water, adult leaders
  should have an appreciation of the potential
  hazards they could encounter and take steps to
  reduce those risks.
• (canoe, kayak, raft, sailboat, sailboard,
  motorboat, rowboat, tube, etc)
• The nine points of safety afloat have been
  established to reduce potential hazards

4
Safety Afloat

• S S S - 3 Sheets
• Supervision
• Skills Proficiency
• Swimming Ability
• P P P - 3 Pillows
• Physical Fitness
• PFD
• Planning

• B E D
• Buddy System
• Equipment
• Discipline

5
Supervision

• Two Adults
• Mature 21 year old
• 18 year old
• Skillful with watercraft
• Accepts Responsibility
• Rescue Methods
• Committed to the 9 Points of Safety Afloat
• 1 to 10 (Boy Scouts) and 1 to 5 (Cub Scouts)
• CPR trained

6
Skills Proficiency

• Minimum skill for Merit Badge
• Emergency Procedures
• Craft to be used
• 3hrs. Training Practice
• PFD instruction
• Whitewater Instruction
• Powerboat Rules
• Cub Scout Rules

7
Swimming Ability

• Pass BSA Swim Test
• 100 yards
• 75 any forward stroke
• 25 resting stroke
• Float
• Exceptions
• Cub Scout Swim Test

8
Physical Fitness

• Medical Re-check
• Health Forms
• Class I
• Class II
• Class III
• Supervision Adjustments
• Significant Health Concerns Exam by Physician

9
Personal Flotation Device

• PFD
• Type I , II, III, IV, V
• Many Styles
• Offshore, Ski, Canoe, Fishing
• EVERYONE wears them at all times while in
  watercraft

10
PFD Type IOff-Shore Life Jacket

• TYPE I Best for open, rough or remote water,
  where rescue may be slow in coming.
• Advantages Floats you best. Turns most
  unconscious wearers face-up in water. Highly
  visible color.
• Disadvantages Bulky

11
PFD Type IINear-Shore Buoyant Vest

• TYPE II Good for calm, inland water, where there
  is good chance of fast rescue.
• Advantages Turns some unconscious wearers
  face-up in water. Less bulky, more comfortable
  than Type I PFD. Inexpensive.
• Disadvantages Not for long hours in the water.
  Will not turn some unconscious wearers face-up in
  water.

12
PFD Type III Flotation Aid

• TYPE III Good for calm, inland water, where
  there is a good chance of fast rescue.
• Advantages Generally the most comfortable for
  wear. Freedom of movement for many active water
  sports. Many styles.
• Disadvantages Wearer may have to tilt head back
  to avoid going face-down. Not for extended
  survival in rough water.

13
PFD Type IVThrowable Device

• TYPE IV For calm, inland water with heavy boat
  traffic, where help is always nearby.
• Advantages Can be thrown to someone. Good
  back-up to wearable PFDs. Some can be used as a
  seat cushion.
• Disadvantages Not for unconscious persons. Not
  for nonswimmers or children. Not for many hours
  in rough water.

14
PFD Type V Hybrid Device

• TYPE V Required to be worn to be counted as a
  regulation PFD.
• Advantages Least bulky of all Types. High
  flotation when inflated. Good for continuous
  wear.
• Disadvantages May not adequately float some
  wearers unless partially inflated. Requires
  active use and care of inflation chamber.

15
Planning

• Float Plan
• Put in Take Out
• Course, Stopovers, Time
• Times should be estimated generously.
• Accurate Maps
• Run the course prior
• Talk to people who have traveled the route prior
  to your visit.
• Local Rules
• Tour Permits - Local and National.
• Agencies - Local, Regional, National
• Rules - Fishing, Border Crossing, etc.

16
Planning

• Notification
• Depends on where you are going
• Who should know
• Parents
• Unit Committee
• Council (running water)
• Coast Guard, State Police, Park Personnel
• Weather
• Check before you go
• Have a plan Just in case

17
Planning

• Contingencies
• Plan for Emergencies
• Plan for other possible problems
• Have a contingency plan in Writing!
• Cub Scout
• NO Trips/Expeditions
• NO Running Water
• Clear Skies, No Wind, Warm Air and Water

18
Buddy System

• At least one person looking out for the Scout.
• Buddy Boats
• Need to See and Hear
• Close Proximity

19
Equipment

• Suited to the Craft/Water
• Correct Size
• Good Repair
• Meet Coast Guard Regulations
• Spare Equipment
• Repair Equipment/Parts
• Rescue Equipment

20
Discipline

• Know, Understand and Respect the Rules
• Help the Boys to Understand the Rules
• Enforce Rules Fairly
• Use Common Sense