Guide to Safe Scouting

1. Guide to Safe Scouting An overview

2. Activity vs Risk • Every activity has an inherent risk • The key is to manage the risk to an acceptable level

3. Activity vs Risk • The probability of an event occurring can be calculated • Tolerance for risk is subjective to the individual

4. Activity vs Risk • What is an acceptable risk? • 30% • 1%

5. Activity vs Risk • The Guide to Safe Scouting is designed to set parameters to Scout activities to make the risk involved with those scouting activities manageable.

6. Activity vs Risk • “The purpose of the Guide to Safe Scouting is to prepare adult leadership and conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner. The policies and guidelines have been established because of the real need to protect members from known hazards that have been identified through 90 plus year of experience. Limitations on certain activities should not be viewed as stumbling blocks; rather, policies and guidelines are best described as stepping stones toward safe and enjoyable adventures”

7. Youth Protection • Two deep leadership - One registered leader and a parent at least 21. • No one on one contact between adult and youth. • Respect of privacy • Separate accommodations – exception parent and his/her child

8. Youth Protection • Proper preparation for activities • No secret organizations • Appropriate attire • no skinny-dipping for example. • Constructive discipline • Hazing prohibited • Adults must monitor leadership techniques used by junior leaders

9. Youth Protection • Any allegations by a Scout concerning abuse in the program must be reported to the Scout Executive. • Do not discuss with any one else except the Scout. • If others are told and allegations can not be substantiated, you could be sued for defamation of character • Tell the scout you will have to inform the proper authorities.

10. Aquatics • At least one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training before a BSA group can engage in swimming activities of any kind.

11. Aquatics • The eight points of Safe Swim Defense • Qualified Supervision • Physical fitness • Safe Area • Lifeguards on duty • Lookout • Ability Groups • Buddy System • Discipline

12. Aquatics • Safety Afloat Training– Adult leaders must complete prior to any BSA group engaging in any trip on the water (canoe, raft, sailboat, motorboat, rowboat, tube, or other craft). • A properly fitted life jacket ( the term PDF is no longer used) must be worn by ALL persons engaged in activity on the open water.

13. Aquatics • Nine points of Safety Afloat • Qualified Supervision • Strongly recommended at least one BSA lifeguard be present • Boy Scouts ratio 1 – 10 • Cub Scouts ratio 1 - 5 • Physical Fitness • Swimming ability • Life Jacket • Buddy System • Skill Proficiency • Planning • Equipment • Discipline

14. Aquatics • Additional guidelines • Water Clarity – defined for type of activity • BSA lifeguard • Swimming area - defined • Diving and elevated entry • Scuba policy • Cub Scouts are not permitted to use scuba in any activity • Snorkeling • Kayaking • Waterskiing • Boardsailing • Whitewater safety

15. Camping • Age guidelines and parent involvement for camping activities. • Family camping • Pack overnighters • one adult leader must have completed BALOO (basic adult leader outdoor orientation) • Wilderness Camping

16. Trail Safety • Seven points of Trek Safely • Qualified supervision – trained adult leadership • Keep fit • Plan ahead • Gear up • Communicate clearly and completely • Monitor conditions – lightning - weather • Discipline

17. Lightning • If on a ridge – descend to lower elevation • Do not take shelter under trees • Stay away from water and metal objects • Squat with feet close together • Do not huddle in a group – keep 15 ft apart • Take off backpacks • In tents stay at least a few inches from the metal tent poles

18. Health Issues • Pure drinking water • Hantavirus – airborne particles spread through urine of infected rodents first identified in 1993 • Principally in the Southwest but has been reported in 26 states • Rabies Prevention • Use of Tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substances prohibited in any BSA activity.

19. Emergency Preparedness • BSA Hazardous Weather Training • Required for all tour permits effective 1/09 • Emergency preparedness plan • Emergency preparedness kit • Emergency contact list (form sample)

20. First Aid • At least one person in each touring group should trained in First Aid. • Strongly recommended at least one adult be CPR certified. • Be knowledgeable in the protection Bloodborne Pathogens (HIV) issues.

21. Fuels and Fire Prevention • Adult supervision must be provided when Scouts in the handling and storage of fuels. • The use of liquid fuels for starting any type of fire is prohibited. • Guidelines for the safe use and storage of stoves and lanterns. • No flames in tents. • No liquid fuels in or near tents.

22. Fuels and Fire Prevention • Adult leaders are responsible for training Scouts in fire prevention, fire detection, reporting, and fighting a fire in a camp setting. • Fireworks in all forms are prohibited, even with certified or licensed fireworks experts

23. Guns and Firearms • Cub Scouting Standards • Boy Scouting Standards • Venturing Standards • Shotguns • Rifles • Muzzle Loaders • Handguns • Knives

24. Age appropriate guidelines for scouting activities

25. Sports and Activities • Caving • Judo • Climbing and Rappelling • COPE Activities • Rope Monkey Bridges • Parade Floats and Hayrides • Tractor Safety • Bike Safety • Skating Guidelines • Horsemanship Activities • Unit Fund-raisers • Winter Camping

26. Inspections • Meeting Rooms • Motor Vehicles • Unit Camping • Boats

27. Medical Information • Physicals – Class I, II, III • Immunizations • Life Threatening Communicable Diseases • Sun Safety • Religious Beliefs and Medical Care • Prescriptions

28. Transportation • Automobile - specific guidelines • Auto accidents are the number one cause of death for scouts – usually occurring Sunday afternoon after outing • Campers, Trailers and Trucks • Buses • Trains • Boats • Aircraft • BSA Flying Permit

29. Tour Permits • Local Tour Permit • Required if going outside district • Alpharetta is outside the Etowah District • Exception if destination is Council property such as Camp Rainy Mountain • Effective 1/09 – at least one adult must have completed “Planning and Preparing for Hazardous Weather” Training • Suggest compete tour permit for all activities requiring transportation • National Tour Permit • Travel more than 500 miles • Travel outside continental United States

30. Reporting Death or Serious Injury • Adult leadership are responsible for notifying council Scout Executive • Any period of unconsciousness • Any hospital inpatient admission • Any surgical intervention beyond suturing or simple fractures

31. Reporting Death or Serious Injury • Provide specific facts: • Who – name and age of scout and complete address of the next of kin • When – date, time of day • Where – location and community • What – nature of illness or accident • How – illness / accident details

32. Reporting Death or Serious Injury • Nonserious injuries do not require reporting to council office, but it recommended that an incident report be prepared and maintained by the unit for future reference. • Preliminary Report of Fatal or Serious Injury - #19-148 • Final Report of Fatal or Serious Injury - #19-149 • Liability Accident Notice - #10-123

33. Sweet 16 of BSA Safety • Qualified Supervision – supervisor should be sufficiently trained, experienced, and skilled in the activity. • Physical Fitness – have a complete health history of participations including proper class of physical (Class I, II, or III) • Buddy System - at least one other person with you at all times and aware of your surroundings

34. Sweet 16 of BSA Safety • Safe Area or Course – know the area of the activity and determine suitability and hazard free. • Equipment Selection and Maintenance • equipment should suit participants and activity. • Check equipment to be sure its in good condition

35. Sweet 16 of BSA Safety • Personal Safety Equipment – supervisor should be sure each participant has appropriate personal safety equipment. • Safety Procedures and Policies – for the most activities common sense procedures can greatly reduce the risk - communicate to all participants and enforced by supervision

36. Sweet 16 of BSA Safety • Skill Level Limits – every activity as a minimum skill level requirement. Supervisor must be sure participant does not exceed their skill level • Weather Check – potential weather hazards should be understood and anticipated with appropriate responses.

37. Sweet 16 of BSA Safety • Planning – develop and follow plan for activity including emergency communication and contingencies. • Communications – supervisor needs to be able to communicate with participants during activity. • Permits and Notices – obtain needed tour permits, land owner permission, etc before activity

38. Sweet 16 of BSA Safety • First Aid Resources • evaluate and determine what first aid supplies should be included in the activity equipment. • First aid training of participants. • Applicable Laws • BSA safety polices generally parallel or exceed legal mandates • supervisor should assure compliance with all applicable statues and regulations for activity

39. Sweet 16 of BSA Safety • CPR Resources – BSA strongly recommends adult leadership with CPR training should be available during a strenuous activity. • Discipline • The supervisor is responsible for controlling the participants during the activity. • The youth must follow their leaders directions.

40. You as adult leaders are responsible for the safe planning and delivery of Scouting activities The Guide to Safe Scouting is a resource that covers most scouting activities and is based on over 90 years of BSA experience.

41. Northeast Georgia CouncilRisk Management CommitteeLong Range Plan • Create a web presence on the Council’s web site specifically targeted to Risk Management and Youth Protection. • Create and promote a Roundtable program to cover different aspects of Risk Management and Youth protection

42. Northeast Georgia CouncilRisk Management Committee Long Range Plan • Recruit a Risk Management/Youth Protection Chairman for each District. • Develop a Risk Management job description and provide annual training for the position. • Create a Risk Assessment Program for use by the unit for assessing an activity. Program will be available on the web site.

43. Northeast Georgia CouncilRisk Management Committee Long Range Plan • Facilitate Risk Management issues with various District Committees, Commissioners, Council Committees, and Professional Staff.