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The online version of the Guide to Safe Scouting is updated periodically.
Go to www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss
Unit leadership that accompanies the unit on an outing handles the first and last
bullet points above. However, under appropriate circumstances, the unit leader may
delegate responsibility to trained individuals within the unit or to on-site professionals
for the second and third bullet points above. For example, a Scouts BSA troop at a water
park with trained lifeguards on duty need not assign separate unit personnel to perform
water rescue. A Venturing crew on a whitewater excursion may rely on a licensed
outfitter to provide the necessary equipment and trained guides.
Every possible contingency will not be covered with a hard-and-fast rule, and rules
are poor substitutes for experience. Ultimately, each responsible adult leader must
personally decide if they understand the risk factors associated with the activity and is
sufficiently experienced and well-informed to make the rational decisions expected of
a “qualified supervisor.” The BSA training programs listed above help provide the skills,
experience, and guidance for making such a determination.
Safe Swim Defense
BSA groups shall use Safe Swim Defense for all swimming activities. Adult leaders
supervising a swimming activity must have completed Safe Swim Defense training
within the previous two years. Safe Swim Defense standards apply at backyard, hotel,
apartment, and public pools; at established waterfront swim areas such as beaches at state
parks and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes; and at all temporary swimming areas
such as a lake, river, or ocean. Safe Swim Defense does not apply to boating or water
activities such as waterskiing or swamped boat drills that are covered by Safety Afloat
guidelines. Safe Swim Defense applies to other nonswimming activities whenever
participants enter water over knee deep or when submersion is likely, for example, when
fording a stream, seining for bait, or constructing a bridge as a pioneering project.
Snorkeling in open water requires each participant to have demonstrated knowledge and
skills equivalent to those for Snorkeling BSA in addition to following Safe Swim Defense.
Scuba activities must be conducted in accordance with the BSA Scuba policy found in
the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Because of concerns with hyperventilation, competitive
underwater swimming events are not permitted in Scouting.
Safe Swim Defense training may be obtained from my.scouting.org, at council
camps, and at other council and district training events. Additional information
on various swimming venues is provided in the
Aquatics Supervision
guide.
1. Qualified Supervision
All swimming activity must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult age
21 or older who understands and knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-
being and safety of those in their care, and who is trained in and committed to
compliance with the eight points of BSA Safe Swim Defense. It is strongly
recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member
currently trained in BSA Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue or
BSA Lifeguard to assist in planning and conducting all swimming activities.