Safety Afloat Program

Safety Afloat ProgramSafety Afloat ProgramBSA Lifeguard TrainingBSA Lifeguard Training

20002000

Ray VoigtRay VoigtGulf Stream Council BSAGulf Stream Council BSA

Palm Beach County, Florida Palm Beach County, Florida

Safety Afloat ProgramSafety Afloat ProgramQ - P - A - P - B - S - P - E - D

QQualified Supervision ualified Supervision PPhysical Fitnesshysical FitnessAAbility Groups bility Groups

PPersonal Floatation Equipment ersonal Floatation Equipment TheThe B Buddy System uddy System

SSkill Proficiencykill ProficiencyPPlanninglanning

EEquipmentquipment DDisciplineiscipline

Safety Afloat ProgramSafety Afloat Program

Being safety conscious and common sense are Being safety conscious and common sense are your best toolyour 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.

Qualified SupervisionQualified Supervision

A Responsible AdultA Responsible Adult– Experienced and qualified in Water SafetyExperienced and qualified in Water Safety

BSA LifeguardBSA Lifeguard Red Cross Advanced LifesavingRed Cross Advanced Lifesaving Skills in handling watercraft that will be usedSkills in handling watercraft that will be used

– Merit Badge skills as follows:Merit Badge skills as follows: CanoeingCanoeing RowingRowing Small Boat SailingSmall Boat Sailing Motor BoatingMotor Boating


A Responsible AdultA Responsible Adult– One adult must be CPR QualifiedOne adult must be CPR Qualified– One adult per 10 scoutsOne adult per 10 scouts– Two adults minimum per eventTwo adults minimum per event– Qualified in Safety AfloatQualified in Safety Afloat– Qualified in Safe Swim DefenseQualified in Safe Swim Defense


It is stronglyIt is strongly

recommended that all units have at leastrecommended that all units have at least

one adult or older youth memberone adult or older youth member

currently certified as a BSA Lifeguardcurrently certified as a BSA Lifeguard

to assist in the planning and conducting ofto assist in the planning and conducting of

all swimming and water related activity.all swimming and water related activity.

It is required that a trained Adult Scouter who has a current CPR certification attend the event.

Physical FitnessPhysical Fitness

Require evidence of Require evidence of fitness for swimming fitness for swimming activity with a complete activity with a complete health history from.health history from.– A physicianA physician– A parent, A parent, – A legal guardian. A legal guardian.


Adjust all supervision, Adjust all supervision, discipline, and discipline, and protection to anticipate protection to anticipate and potential risks and potential risks associated with associated with individual health individual health conditionsconditions


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

The Buddy SystemThe Buddy System

All BSA water activity will All BSA water activity will use the buddy system.use the buddy system.


Every individual Every individual will have a will have a buddy.buddy.– Both should Both should

occupy the occupy the same water same water craft.craft.


Pair every boat or canoe with Pair every boat or canoe with another.another.– Emphasize that each buddy craft Emphasize that each buddy craft

lifeguards its buddy craft.lifeguards its buddy craft.


What about swimming and boating What about swimming and boating skills? Should they both be skills? Should they both be matched?matched?

Skill ProficiencySkill Proficiency

You should conduct a troop swim test You should conduct a troop swim test sometime before every event if possible so sometime before every event if possible so you know the water skills of your scouts.you know the water skills of your scouts.

These classification tests should be renewed annually, preferably at the beginning of the season.

All participants in the unit afloat All participants in the unit afloat activities must be trained and activities must be trained and experienced in watercraft handling skills, experienced in watercraft handling skills, safety, and emergency procedures.safety, and emergency procedures.

– White Water - BSA Aquatics Instructor trained.White Water - BSA Aquatics Instructor trained.– Power Boat Operator - meet merit badge Power Boat Operator - meet merit badge

requirements.requirements.– Three hours minimum training for all un-Three hours minimum training for all un-

powered craft.powered craft.



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

Personal FlotationPersonal Flotation Equipment Equipment

US Coast Guard approved PFDs US Coast Guard approved PFDs (Personal Floatation Device) should (Personal Floatation Device) should be worn by all engaged in the water be worn by all engaged in the water activity.activity.– Exceptions;Exceptions;

Current Qualified SwimmersCurrent Qualified Swimmers Closely supervised by an adultClosely supervised by an adult Where PFDs can be stowed loosely easily Where PFDs can be stowed loosely easily

in reach within the water craft.in reach within the water craft.


Who Needs a PFD?Who Needs a PFD?– Everyone who goes Everyone who goes

boating!boating! Buy a lifejacket Buy a lifejacket

that you will Wearthat you will Wear– Wear it!Wear it!

PFDs are survival PFDs are survival equipment.equipment.– Treat them with Treat them with

respect!respect!


Boaters must meetBoaters must meet these PFD these PFD

Requirements.Requirements.

Boats 16 Ft or Boats 16 Ft or more;more;– One of Types I, II, One of Types I, II,

III, or V for each III, or V for each person on boardperson on board

– One throwable One throwable device like type IVdevice like type IV


Boaters must meetBoaters must meet these PFD these PFD

Requirements.Requirements.

BoatsBoats under under 16 Ft;16 Ft;– One of the One of the

wearable or wearable or throwable PFD for throwable PFD for each person on each person on board.board.


Why are PFDs soWhy are PFDs soimportant?.important?.

More than 90% of More than 90% of all deaths in all deaths in boating are from boating are from drowning. 80% of drowning. 80% of those drowning those drowning victims were not victims were not wearing a PFD.wearing a PFD.


Type IType I

Offshore LifejacketOffshore LifejacketThis PFD in designed for This PFD in designed for

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


Type IIType II

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


Type IIIType III

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


Type IVType IV

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


Type VType V

Special Use DevicesSpecial Use DevicesSpecial use PFDs include work Special use PFDs include work vests, deck suits, and hybrids vests, deck suits, and hybrids for restricted use. Hybrid vests for restricted use. Hybrid vests contain come internal buoyancy contain come internal buoyancy and are inflatable to provide and are inflatable to provide additional floatation.additional floatation.

PlanningPlanning

Float Plan should contain;Float Plan should contain;

– Current maps and informationCurrent maps and information

– Put in PointPut in Point

– Pull out pointPull out point

– Course or route of travelCourse or route of travel

– Generous amount of travel timeGenerous amount of travel time

– Review plan with those who have made Review plan with those who have made the trip beforethe trip before

PlanningPlanningFloat Plan ContinuedFloat Plan Continued

– Local RulesLocal Rules Observe all state and local rulesObserve all state and local rules

Get written permission for use of all private Get written permission for use of all private propertyproperty

– NotificationNotification File a float plan with the scout parents and a File a float plan with the scout parents and a

troop committee member.troop committee member.

File a float plan with the council office.File a float plan with the council office.

Report in when you returnReport in when you return

PlanningPlanning

Float Plan ContinuedFloat Plan Continued

– WeatherWeather

Check the weather forecast just before Check the weather forecast just before setting out.setting out.

Keep an alert weather eye.Keep an alert weather eye.

Come ashore when the weather Come ashore when the weather threatens.threatens.

PlanningPlanning

Float Plan ContinuedFloat Plan Continued– ContingenciesContingencies

Identify possible emergenciesIdentify possible emergencies

Other circumstances that would cause a Other circumstances that would cause a change of plans.change of plans.

Develop plans for both of the above Develop plans for both of the above contingencies. contingencies.

EquipmentEquipment

Appropriate for the craftAppropriate for the craft Appropriate for the water conditionsAppropriate for the water conditions Appropriate for the participantsAppropriate for the participants In good repair or conditionIn good repair or condition Carry spares and repair materialsCarry spares and repair materials Meet state and federal regulationsMeet state and federal regulations

DisciplineDiscipline

All participants should:All participants should:– Know the rulesKnow the rules– Understand the rulesUnderstand the rules– Abide or respect the rulesAbide or respect the rules


The rules of safety should not interfere The rules of safety should not interfere with the fun and safety or the event.with the fun and safety or the event.

When everyone knows the reason for When everyone knows the reason for rules and procedures, they are more likely rules and procedures, they are more likely to follow them. to follow them.

Be strict and fair, and show no favoritism.Be strict and fair, and show no favoritism.


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


Q - P - A - P - B - S - P - E - DQ _________________________________Q _________________________________P _________________________________P _________________________________A _________________________________A _________________________________P _________________________________P _________________________________B _________________________________B _________________________________S _________________________________S _________________________________P _________________________________P _________________________________E _________________________________E _________________________________D _________________________________D _________________________________

Safety Afloat ProgramSafety Afloat ProgramQ - P - A - P - B - S - P - E - D

QQualified Supervision ualified Supervision PPhysical Fitnesshysical FitnessAAbility Groups bility Groups

PPersonal Floatation Equipment ersonal Floatation Equipment TheThe B Buddy System uddy System

SSkill Proficiencykill ProficiencyPPlanninglanning

EEquipmentquipment DDisciplineiscipline


Thank you for your attention..!Thank you for your attention..!

It is our intention that you are It is our intention that you are able to host both fun, and safe able to host both fun, and safe

water events in scouting.water events in scouting.

Safety Afloat Program

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