CHANGES IN BSA AQUATICS PROGRAM

These changes apply to adults and older youth for high adventure aquatic outings.

TWO NEW CERTIFICATIONS,
SWIMMING & WATER RESCUE & PADDLE CRAFT SAFETY,
WILL SOON BE ***REQUIRED* ** FOR TOUR PERMITS FOR AQUATIC OUTINGS

The very first requirement in both Safe Swim Defense & Safety Afloat is QUALIFIED LEADERSHIP (ie, somebody with the BSA LIFEGUARD certification) .
Requirements changed in 2010;
THREE awards now are equivilant to the old BSA Lifeguard:
(1) BSA Acquatics Supervision: Swimming & Water Rescue;
(2) Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety
text: "Aquatics Supervision: A leader's guide to youth swimming and boating activities,"
BSA Supply No 34346.
(3) BSA Lifeguard - now limited to mere lifeguarding in a pool setting, sans any type boating, rivers, or ocean settings (text: American Red Cross Professional Lifeguard).

GUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING, SECTION II - AQUATICS
http://www.scouting .org/scoutsource /healthandsafety /gss/gss02. aspx

The NEW BSA LIFEGUARD is focused mainly on supervision of campers by summer camp swimming staff.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE:
THE FOLLOWING TWO PROGRAMS ARE NEW PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND OLDER YOUTH, AND WILL BE REQUIRED IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR TOUR PERMITS

(1) BSA Acquatics Supervision: Swimming & Water Rescue;
(2) Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety

BSA Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue
patch (image):
http://imagehost. vendio.com/ a/1942239/ aview/AA247. jpg

BSA Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue
provides BSA leaders with information and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to swimming emergencies during unit swimming activities. It expands on the awareness instruction provided by Safe Swim Defense training to include basic water rescue skills. This course is valid for 3 years.

BSA Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue
Who: Scouts and Scouters, ages 16 and older.
Prerequisite: Earn lifesaving and swimming merit badge (adults must possess these skills); obtain CPR and First Aid certification (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and National Safety Council are acceptable certifications)


BSA Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety

BSA Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety expands on Safety Afloat training to include the basic skills and knowledge needed for a unit leader to confidently assess his or her ability to supervise float trips using canoes or kayaks. It includes a review of the training and experience needed for whitewater, however it is appropriated to utilize professional whitewater guides. This course is valid for 3 years.

Who: Scouts and Scouters, ages 16 and older.
Prerequisite: Earn lifesaving, rowing, and swimming merit badge (adults must possess these skills);
obtain CPR and First Aid certification (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and National Safety Council are acceptable certifications)

TEXT:
Aquatics Supervision: A leader's guide to youth swimming and boating activities, No. 34346. (available from council).
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CHANGES IN BSA AQUATICS POLICY AND PROGRAM:

New adult leader training programs in Swimming & Water Rescue and Paddle Craft Safety introduced to provide skill training consistent with Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat. Aquatics Supervision serves as text. Instructor guides, presentation materials, and exams available from councils via download from scout.net.

New BSA Lifeguard Instructor Manual released to councils via download from scout.net. Revised requirements in Instructor Manual and also Aquatics Supervision. Standardized course outline utilizes Red Cross material expanded to cover BSA camp situations.

Aquatics Supervision serves as resource for aquatics special awards and contains application forms and instructor material for Kayaking BSA, Snorkeling BSA, Scuba BSA, Boardsailing BSA, and Mile Swim BSA. Minor changes to Boardsailing and Mile Swim requirements. Text also contains current scuba policy and updated Snorkeling Safety guidelines. *

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An excellent description of THE NEW BSA AQUATICS PROGRAM,
all on One single page in PDF for printing, is @ Crossroads of America Council web site. Follow these directions to find the doc:

@ http://www.crossroa dsbsa.org/
move cursor at page top over to the "Functions of Scouting" tab;
go down to "Training" & move cursor to the RIGHT;
go down to very bottom & click on "BSA Aquatics Program"
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Google search results for "BSA AQUATIC SUPERVISION: PADDLE SAFETY"

http://tinyurl. com/23xfqe6
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10-12 Sept 2010:
Tampa FLA area is hosting all the new certifications over a single weekend.

http://www.boyscout ing.com/forms/ AquaticsTraining .pdf

AQUATICS SUPERVISION WEEKEND
BSA Swimming & Water Rescue Certification
Paddle Craft Safety Certification & Kayaking BSA
BSA Lifeguard
Canoeing Merit Badge Counselor Workshop
Where: Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation, Gulf Ridge Council -Tampa, FL
When: September 10-12, 2010 and October 2, 2010