Safety Afloat Program

1. Safety Afloat Program BSA Lifeguard Training 2000 Ray Voigt Gulf Stream Council BSA Palm Beach County, Florida

2. Safety Afloat Program Q - P - A - P - B - S - P - E - D Qualified Supervision Physical Fitness Ability Groups Personal Floatation Equipment The Buddy System Skill Proficiency Planning Equipment Discipline

3. Safety Afloat Program Being safety conscious and common sense are your best tool All rules and guidelines for Safety Afloat should be followed when ever conducting a troop activity when it involves being on or around the water.

4. Qualified Supervision • A Responsible Adult • Experienced and qualified in Water Safety • BSA Lifeguard • Red Cross Advanced Lifesaving • Skills in handling watercraft that will be used • Merit Badge skills as follows: • Canoeing • Rowing • Small Boat Sailing • Motor Boating

5. Qualified Supervision • A Responsible Adult • One adult must be CPR Qualified • One adult per 10 scouts • Two adults minimum per event • Qualified in Safety Afloat • Qualified in Safe Swim Defense

6. Qualified Supervision It is strongly recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member currently certified as a BSA Lifeguard to assist in the planning and conducting of all swimming and water related activity. It is required that a trained Adult Scouter who has a current CPR certification attend the event.

7. Physical Fitness • Require evidence of fitness for swimming activity with a complete health history from. • A physician • A parent, • A legal guardian.

8. Physical Fitness • Adjust all supervision, discipline, and protection to anticipate and potential risks associated with individual health conditions

9. Physical Fitness • In the event of any significant health conditions or changes, an examination by a physician is recommended. ( BSA form No. 4412A should be used. )

10. The Buddy System All BSA water activity will use the buddy system.

11. The Buddy System • Every individual will have a buddy. • Both should occupy the same water craft.

12. The Buddy System • Pair every boat or canoe with another. • Emphasize that each buddy craft lifeguards its buddy craft.

13. The Buddy System • What about swimming and boating skills? Should they both be matched?

14. Skill Proficiency You should conduct a troop swim test sometime before every event if possible so you know the water skills of your scouts. These classification tests should be renewed annually, preferably at the beginning of the season.

15. Skill Proficiency • All participants in the unit afloat activities must be trained and experienced in watercraft handling skills, safety, and emergency procedures. • White Water - BSA Aquatics Instructor trained. • Power Boat Operator - meet merit badge requirements. • Three hours minimum training for all un-powered craft.

16. Skill Proficiency Here is a good opportunity to cover the skills, rules and plans for your afloat trip during the preceding meetings before the outing.

17. Personal Flotation Equipment • US Coast Guard approved PFDs (Personal Floatation Device) should be worn by all engaged in the water activity. • Exceptions; • Current Qualified Swimmers • Closely supervised by an adult • Where PFDs can be stowed loosely easily in reach within the water craft.

18. Personal Flotation Equipment • Who Needs a PFD? • Everyone who goes boating! • Buy a lifejacket that you will Wear • Wear it! • PFDs are survival equipment. • Treat them with respect!

19. Personal Flotation Equipment Boaters must meet these PFD Requirements. • Boats 16 Ft or more; • One of Types I, II, III, or V for each person on board • One throwable device like type IV

20. Personal Flotation Equipment Boaters must meet these PFD Requirements. • Boats under 16 Ft; • One of the wearable or throwable PFD for each person on board.

21. Personal Flotation Equipment Why are PFDs so important?. • More than 90% of all deaths in boating are from drowning. 80% of those drowning victims were not wearing a PFD.

22. Personal Flotation Equipment Type I Offshore Lifejacket This PFD in designed for extended survival in rough, open water. It usually will turn an unconscious person face up and has 22 pounds of buoyancy. This is the best PFD to keep you afloat in remote regions where rescue may be slow coming.

23. Personal Flotation Equipment Type II Near Shore Life Vest This classic PFD cones in several sizes for adults and children and is for calm inland water where there is a chance of fast rescue. It is less bulky and less expensive that a Type I and many will turn an unconscious person face up in the water. Most common type found in scouting.

24. Personal Flotation Equipment Type III Flotation Aid Life Vest These Lifejackets are generally considered the most comfortable with styles for different boating activities and sports. They are for use in clam water where there is good chance of fast rescue since they will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up. Flotation aids come in many sizes.

25. Personal Flotation Equipment Type IV Throwable Devices These are designed to be thrown to a person in the water. Throwable devices include boat cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. They are not designed to be worn and should not be supplemented by a wearable PFD. It is important to keep these available for emergencies. They should not be used for small children, non-swimmers, or unconscious people

26. Personal Flotation Equipment Type V Special Use Devices Special use PFDs include work vests, deck suits, and hybrids for restricted use. Hybrid vests contain come internal buoyancy and are inflatable to provide additional floatation.

27. Planning • Float Plan should contain; • Current maps and information • Put in Point • Pull out point • Course or route of travel • Generous amount of travel time • Review plan with those who have made the trip before

28. Planning Float Plan Continued • Local Rules • Observe all state and local rules • Get written permission for use of all private property • Notification • File a float plan with the scout parents and a troop committee member. • File a float plan with the council office. • Report in when you return

29. Planning Float Plan Continued • Weather • Check the weather forecast just before setting out. • Keep an alert weather eye. • Come ashore when the weather threatens.

30. Planning Float Plan Continued • Contingencies • Identify possible emergencies • Other circumstances that would cause a change of plans. • Develop plans for both of the above contingencies.

31. Equipment • Appropriate for the craft • Appropriate for the water conditions • Appropriate for the participants • In good repair or condition • Carry spares and repair materials • Meet state and federal regulations

32. Discipline • All participants should: • Know the rules • Understand the rules • Abide or respect the rules

33. Discipline The rules of safety should not interfere with the fun and safety or the event. • When everyone knows the reason for rules and procedures, they are more likely to follow them. • Be strict and fair, and show no favoritism.

34. Discipline Note: Boats 26’ or larger operations standards, and procedures are outlined in the Safe Boating Instructor’s Guide, No. 6662, and the Advanced Seamanship Instructor’s Guide, No. 6660, may be used to modify these safety afloat standards.

35. Safety Afloat Program Q - P - A - P - B - S - P - E - D Q _________________________________ P _________________________________ A _________________________________ P _________________________________ B _________________________________ S _________________________________ P _________________________________ E _________________________________ D _________________________________

36. Safety Afloat Program Q - P - A - P - B - S - P - E - D Qualified Supervision Physical Fitness Ability Groups Personal Floatation Equipment The Buddy System Skill Proficiency Planning Equipment Discipline

37. Safety Afloat Program Thank you for your attention..! It is our intention that you are able to host both fun, and safe water events in scouting.