Leadership & Parents

Website stuff...

• P - Physical Fitness

• D - Discipline

• Q - Qualified Supervision

• B - Buddy System

• A - Ability Groups

• L - Lifeguard

• L - Lookout

• S - Safe Swim Area

Qualified Supervision

Every swimming activity must have a Qualified Supervisor.

The major cause of accident is improper supervision.  Just being there & being attentive will prevent many problems.

What is a Qualified Supervisor?

• 21 years old - mature and conscientious

• Understands and knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being of the swimmers

• Experienced in the water.

• Confident of his / her ability to respond to an emergency.

• Trained and committed to the eight points of the BSA Safe Swim Defense.

Physical Fitness

•  Physical Fitness is dynamic.

•  Be aware of the physical condition of each participant.

•  Heart conditions.

•  Allergy.

•  Epileptic Seizure.

•  Diabetic Comma.

•  Asthma.

• No holes,

• No drop-offs,

• No underwater obstructions

Ability Areas

• Non-Swimmers: 3 1/2 feet deep max,

• Beginners: 6 feet deep max,

• Swimmers: 12 feet deep max.

Diving

Studies has shown that most serious diving injuries occur to males, ages 12 to 31, diving from low heights such as the edge of a pool deck, a dock, or a pier into water less than 4 feet deep.  

Safety manual p. 10:

• Diving - from a max. height of 40 inches.

• Elevated Entry (feet first) - from a max. height of 60 inch.

• Recommends a minimum of 7 feet of water beneath and beyond the point of entry.

• More depth if diving higher then a foot. 10-12 feet from a 3 foot height.

• Diving area should be separate from the swimming area.

• Diving area should have a separate lifeguard.

Beach Area

Cleared of:

• glass,

• rocks,

• sharp objects,

• trash,

• holes.

Water Temperature

Water Purity

• Test purity of water in swimming pools

• Avoid natural waters which are polluted

Water Clarity

• Turbid water - Exist when 12 inch white object visible at 3 feet depth.  Only surface swimming is allowed.

• Clear water - Exists when a 12-inch white object visible at 8 feet depth.  Clear water to 7 feet for diving.  Clear water to 10 feet for diving from more then 18 inches.

Equipment

• Reach Poles.

• Heaving line.

• Buddy board.

• Whistle.

Natural Hazards

Avoid:   Thunderstorms, high waves, fast-moving water, cold air, riptides

Lifeguard on Duty

The primary responsibility of the Lifeguard is to ensure the safety of the swimmers.

•  ratio of 1:10

•  Alternate is 1 Lifeguard and several lookouts.

•  Lifeguard on duty should rotate every 20 min.

Duties of a Lifeguard

•  Is in charge of the activity. His is a position of authority and responsibility.

•  Supervise,

•  Enforce rules,

•  See that the area is clean and safe,

•  Teaches,

•  Knows first aid.

•  Order of rescue - Reach - Throw - Row - Go with support

The lookout is to assist the lifeguard on duty.

•  Should be responsible. Does not have to be a trained lifeguard.

•  Must have a view of the entire area.

•  Alerts the Lifeguard of any problems.

•  Watch the eyes to know if the boys are in trouble or playing.

•  Order of rescue - Reach - Throw - Row - Go with support

Ability Groups

Swim check as often as necessary. What effects swimming ability:

•  Recent sickness.

•  Water temperature.

•  Altitude.

•  Current physical condition.

Swimmers Swim check

•  jump feet first into water over the head

•  swim 75 yards in a strong manner (sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, crawl)

•  swim 25 yards using resting back stroke.

•  swim must include at least one turn.

•  rest by floating for 1 minute after the swim.

Beginners Swim check

•  jump feet first into water over the head

•  swim 25 feet. (not underwater)

•  turn and return to starting point.

•  Pair ability groups.

•  Two to three, no more, no less.

•  Check in and check out together.

•  Buddy check about every 10 minutes.

•  The buddy system is two people enjoying aquatics activities together while providing a critical margin of safety for each other.  

•  Every Scout must understand what is expected, and be expected to follow the rules.

•  The rules must be clear, simple, and applicable to everyone - even the aquatics staff and leaders.