Aquatics Staff Guide

118 Pages·2016·4.85 MB·English

PREFACE
Aquatics Supervision; A Leaders Guide to
Youth Swimming and Boating Activities: Boy
To the Camp Aquatics Staff Member: Scouts of America; #34346; Boy Scouts of
America, 2015 Printing
Welcome to the ranks of a great team! Yes, you
already belong to one of the greatest teams ever - If at all possible this book should be in your
- the BSA. Now you’re part of the camp staff. personal library. It is all-inclusive in the area of
You’re in for a great time, a lot of fun and a lot of BSA aquatics. Even though it was written as a
responsibility. guide for unit leaders much of the information
included is appropriate for camp staff as well.
This guide was put together by the National
Lifeguarding; American Red
Aquatics Task Force to help you, a member of your
Cross,#755735, 2017 version
camp’s aquatics staff, do your job better. You
https://www.redcrossstore.org
should work with your Aquatics Director and your
Camp Management to use this document as a Lifeguarding DVD Set; #755739
https://www.instructorscorner.org/s/login/
guide to your development as a staff member.
This is the manual and video set you will use as a
The intent is for this guide to be as universal as
text for BSA Lifeguard. Your camp should have the
possible -- appropriate for Cub Scout Day and
videos available to you. The book will probably be
Resident Camps as well as Boy Scout Resident
your responsibility to purchase.
Camps.
Merit Badge Series Pamphlets
This is a living document. The Task Force will
update this guide annually, based on input from the If you are asked to instruct a merit badge you will
field. If there are items that you feel need to be want the current edition of the pamphlet for that
updated, omitted, or added please let us know. badge. Again, check with your director for camp
And if you have good samples or examples that copies.
you think other camps would benefit from please
Obviously, it would be impossible to include
send in those as well. The e-mail address is listed
everything you might need to know considering the
below.
different sizes of camps and the variety of
It’s usually best to wait till the end of the season so programs offered across the country. With the help
that input can be more objective, but if you have of your director and your Camp Management adapt
questions before or during the camping season this guide to your situation.
please feel free to send those along as well.
Here’s hoping you have a great summer.
We have made every attempt to avoid redundancy
-- information that can easily be found in other National Aquatics Task Force
documents has not been included except for
emphasis. We’ve included references to Pat Noack, Aquatics Task Force Chairman
documents that you probably should have Robert Kolb, Senior Outdoor Programs
available to you -- either in your personal library or Experience Specialist
your camp’s aquatic library. Some of these Frank Reigelman, Team Lead – Outdoor
include: Programs / Properties
Steve Terrell, Aquatics Task Force
Member and Aquatics Staff Guide
Coordinator. [email protected]

FEEDBACK

Yes, we want to hear from you!

A lot of people worked hard to prepare this guide for you.

We want your questions and comments.

 Did this guide help you this summer?
 What was in the guide that helped you?
 What was not in the guide that should have been?
 What did you find confusing?
 Do you have policy questions?

Perhaps you have sample schedules, emergency plans, syllabi,
or procedures from which others could benefit. Attach them and
we’ll try to get them into next year’s version of this guide.

To help us process your inquiries better please include:
 Your name
 Your camp staff position
 Your camp staff experience (1st year, 2nd year, etc.)
 Your camp name and council

Reply to: [email protected]

Thanks
Once again, have a great summer!

AQUATICS STAFF GUIDE – TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE I PUNCTUALITY
CAMP TRADITIONS
FEEDBACK FROM THE FIELD II CLIQUES
ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
UNIT 1 -- BSA BACKGROUND SMOKING AND TOBACCO
PETS
PURPOSE OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 1-1 SCOUT SIGN
BSA PROGRAM DIVISIONS 1-1 WORKING WITH YOUTH 4-2
CUB SCOUTS AGE CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUTH 4-3
BOY SCOUTS SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, AND TEN YEAR OLDS
VARSITY SCOUTS ELEVEN, TWELVE, AND THIRTEEN YEAR OLDS
VENTURERS
FOURTEEN TO SIXTEEN YEAR OLDS
PREFERRED METHOD OF SCOUT CAMPING 1-2
WORKING WITH LEADERS 4-4
CAMP CATEGORIES

CUB DAY CAMPS
UNIT 5 -- AQUATICS PROGRAM
CUB WEEK-END CAMPS
CUB RESIDENT CAMPS
BOY SCOUT RESIDENT CAMPS BSA AQUATICS CONTINUUM 5-1
COUNCIL HIGH ADVENTURE CAMPS AQUATICS FOUNDATIONS
NATIONAL HIGH ADVENTURE CAMPS SAFE SWIM DEFENSE
PURPOSE OF SCOUTING AQUATICS 1-3 SAFETY AFLOAT
YEAR-ROUND AQUATICS 1-3 CUB SCOUT AQUATICS 5-1
COUNCIL AQUATICS COMMITTEE TIGER ELECTIVE ADVENTURE: FLOATS AND BOATS
COUNCIL / DISTRICT AQUATICS PROGRAMS WOLF ELECTIVE ADVENTURE: SPIRIT OF THE WATER
LINKS TO OTHER AQUATICS ORGANIZATIONS BEAR ELECTIVE ADVENTURE: SALMON RUM
UNIT ACTIVITIES WEBELOS / AOL ELECTIVE ADVENTURE: AQUANAUT
BOY SCOUT AQUATICS 5-2
UNIT 2 -- STAFF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 2ND CLASS AQUATICS
1ST CLASS AQUATICS
STAFF EXPECTATIONS 2-1 AQUATICS MERIT BADGES
PERSONNEL 2-1 AQUATICS AWARDS
RECOMMENDED STAFFING LEVELS 2-1 VENTURING AQUATICS 5-4
TYPICAL STAFF ORGANIZATIONu 2-2 VENTURING AQUATICS
SEA SCOUTS
GENERALISTS VS. SPECIALISTS 2-2
AQUATIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING 5-4
AUXILIARY PERSONNEL 2-3
AQUATICS SUPERVISION
EXAMPLE STAFF CHART 2-3
SWIMMING & WATER RESCUE
AQUATICS SUPERVISION
UNIT 3 -- STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND
PADDLECRAFT SAFETY
TRAINING
BSA LIFEGUARD
AQUATICS INSTRUCTOR BSA
AGE REQUIREMENTS 3-1 COUNCIL AQUATICS 5-4
STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES 3-1 COUNCIL AQUATICS COMMITTEE
AQUATICS DIRECTOR SUMMER CAMP AQUATICS
ASSISTANT AQUATICS DIRECTOR
AQUATICS PROGRAM STAFF SUMMER CAMP AQUATICS PROGRAM
COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM 5-5
LEVELS OF TRAINING 3-2 CUB SCOUT ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
PRE-REQUISITE TRAINING Elective Adventures
PRE-CAMP TRAINING Webelos Aquanaut
IN-SERVICE TRAINING BOY SCOUT ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
STAFF EVALUATIONS 2nd and 1st Class Rank Requirements
MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS AND INSTRUCTORS 3-3 Merit Badge Program
AQUATIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING COUNSELORS 3-4 INSTRUCTION PROGRAM 5-6
BSA LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR CUB SCOUT INSTRUCTION PROGRAM
AQUATICS SUPERVISION INSTRUCTOR Non-Swimmer Instruction
BSA Swimming and Water Rescue Instructor, Beginner Instruction
BSA Paddle Craft Safety Instructor Swimmer Instruction
SAFE SWIM DEFENSE / SAFETY AFLOAT INSTRUCTOR Boat Handling Instruction
RECOMMENDED TRAINING SCHEDULE 3-5 BOY SCOUT INSTRUCTION PROGRAM
Non-Swimmer Instruction
Beginner Instruction
UNIT 4 -- PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Swimmer Instruction
Boat Handling Instruction
STAFF RELATIONSHIPS AND PROTOCOLS 4-1 Troop Swim
DRESS
DEMEANOR
Aquatics Staff Guide -- TABLE OF CONTENTS i
RECREATION PROGRAM 5-7 AQUATIC ORIENTATION
CUB SCOUT RECREATION PROGRAM SWIM CLASSIFICATION TESTS
Theme Camp Activities PROGRAM SCHEDULING
Academic and Sports Program BOATING PROCEDURES 6-15
Open Swim LIFE JACKETS
Open Boating OPEN BOATING
BOY SCOUT RECREATION PROGRAM
Open Swim UNIT 7 -- HEALTH AND SAFETY
Open Boating
Aquatic Awards
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS 7-1
Mile Swim
Kayaking BSA SWIMMING PERIODS 7-1
Snorkeling BSA THE SUNSET RULE ` 7-1
Boardsailing BSA FIRST AID PROCEDURES 7-1
Scuba BSA
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS 7-2
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
DIVING INJURY 7-2
Water Carnivals
Special Aquatics Facilities and Equipment GENERAL HEALTH AND
VENTURE / OLDER SCOUT RECREATION PROGRAM SAFETY -- STAFF AND CAMPERS 7-3
Local Council Aquatics Camps INFECTION
HIGH ADVENTURE AQUATICS FOOT CARE
Outpost Canoe Camping NOSEBLEEDS
50 Miler Award SUN PROTECTION
HYPERVENTILATION
AQUATICS LEADERSHIP TRAINING 5-10 COLD WATER
SAFE SWIM DEFENSE / SAFETY AFLOAT HYPOTHERMIA
COMMITMENT TRAINING HEAT REACTIONS
AQUATIC SUPERVISION TRAINING PROTECTION FROM INSECTS
Swimming and Water Rescue SUBMERSION INCIDENTS
Paddle Craft Safety REST
LIFEGUARD BSA
AQUATICS INSTRUCTOR BSA
UNIT 8 -- TEACHING
UNIT 6 -- AQUATICS PROCEDURES
INTRODUCTION 8-1
TEACHING VS. LEARNING 8-1
RULES AND PROCEDURES 6-1
ELEMENTS OF TEACHING 8-1
REGULATORY HIERARCHY 6-1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES 8-2
RISK MANAGEMENT 6-2
PRE-ASSESSMENT
DUTY TO ACT
MERIT BADGE AND RANK REQUIREMENTS
STANDARD OF CARE
SKILL BREAKDOWN
NEGLIGENCE
BEHAVIOR CHANGE
ABANDONMENT
TEACHING METHODS 8-3
CONFIDENTIALITY
KISMIF
DOCUMENTATION
STEPS IN AQUATICS INSTRUCTION
CONFLICT RESOLUTION 6-3
“EDGE”
F.I.N.D SOURCE: AMERICAN RED CROSS
AGE GROUPS
P.A.C.A SOURCE: YMCA
Characteristics of Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts
NATIONAL CAMP STANDARDS 6-4
SKILL GROUPS
SAFE SWIM DEFENSE 6-5 COACH / PUPIL METHOD
CUB SCOUT ADJUSTMENTS TO SAFE SWIM DEFENSE PLANNING
SAFETY AFLOAT 6-6 CLASS ORGANIZATION
CUB SCOUT ADJUSTMENTS TO SAFETY AFLOAT EVALUATION / ASSESSMENT 8-8
AQUATICS SAFETY 6-7 LEVELS OF LEARNING
GUARD THE INSTRUCTOR WRITTEN REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES 6-8 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS OR EXAMS

CHECK-IN PROCEDURES
THE BUDDY TAG UNIT 9 -- LIFEGUARDING AND SUPERVISION
LOST BUDDY TAGS
GATE OPERATION INTRODUCTION 9-1
CHECK-IN SWIMMING
SUPERVISION VS. “QUALIFIED SUPERVISOR” 9-1
CHECK-IN BOATING
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS 9-1
THE “ODD” SCOUT
BUDDY CHECKS EYES ON THE WATER 9-1
SWIM CLASSIFICATION TESTS 6-10 SURVEILLANCE 9-2
SWIMMER TEST VICTIM RECOGNITION 9-2
ADMINISTERING SWIM TESTS WHISTLE USE 9-2
PRE-CAMP SWIM CHECKS GUARD PERSONNEL 9-2
WEATHER PROCEDURE 6-13 AUXILIARY SAFETY TEAM PERSONNEL 9-2
OPENING DAY PROCEDURES 6-14 SUPERVISION FOR TROOP SWIMS ONSITE 9-2
REGISTRATION SUPERVISION FOR TROOP SWIMS OFFSITE 9-3
MEDICAL RECHECK
SUPERVISING SWIMMING INSTRUCTION 9-3
CAMP TOUR
Aquatics Staff Guide -- TABLE OF CONTENTS ii
UNIT 10 -- EMERGENCY PLANS

EMERGENCY RESPONSE 10-1
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR 11-8
LEVELS OF EMERGENCY 10-1
GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF CRAFT
EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS 10-2 METAL REPAIR
COMPONENTS OF AN EMERGENCY FIBERGLASS REPAIR
PADDLES AND OARS
ACTION PLAN 10-2

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION 10-2
UNIT 12 -- THE AQUATICS DIRECTOR
CAMP-WIDE PLANS 10-3
EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS
FOR THE AQUATIC AREA 10-3 JOB OF THE AQUATICS DIRECTOR IN SUMMER CAMP 12-1
SPECIAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS NATIONAL CAMP ACCREDITATION PROGRAM 12-2
AND CONSIDERATIONS 10-3 PURPOSE OF NCAP & ANNUAL ASSESSMENT
DEBRIEFINGS 10-4 ANNUAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS
NATIONAL CAMP STANDARDS
UNIT 11 -- FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT AQUATICS RELATED STANDARDS
ROLE OF THE AQUATICS DIRECTOR AND AQUATICS
STAFF IN ANNUAL ASSMENT PROCESS
GENERAL AREA REQUIREMENTS 11-1 AQUATICS ADMINISTRATION 12-4
AREA BOUNDARY PURPOSE OF SCOUTING AQUATICS
GATE PROGRAMMING IN THE SUMMER CAMP 12-5
BUDDY BOARDS ESSENTIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS
In-Boards / Swimming SCHEDULING SUMMER CAMP AQUATICS PROGRAM
In-Boards / Boating RULES AND PROCEDURES 12-5
Out Boards THE DECISION FRAMEWORK
LOOKOUT
COUNCIL AQUATICS LEADERSHIP 12-7
SIGNAGE
BULLETIN BOARDS AQUATICS AREA PROTECTION 12-8
STREAM AND RIVER LAYOUT PROGRAM HAZARD ANALYSIS
SWIMMING AREAS 11-3 SAMPLE PROGRAM HAZARD ANALYSIS
DIVING BOARDS SAMPLE EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS
SWIM AREAS
SQUARE FOOTAGE OF SWIM AREA
WATER DEPTH
RESCUE AND GUARD EQUIPMENT
APPPENDIX A -- GUIDE FOR CORRECTING COMMON FLOATING AND
BOATING AREAS 11-4 STROKE MECHANICS ERRORS OBSERVED IN SCOUTS
RESCUE BOAT
SWIMMING POOL OPERATION 11-5 APPENDIX B -- WRITING A MERIT BADGE SYLLABUS
ROPE SWINGS, SLIDES, BLOBS. ETC. 11-6
GENERAL INSTALLATION AND DESIGN
FLOATS
ELEVATED PLATFORMS
GENERAL SUPERVISION AND SAFETY

Aquatics Staff Guide -- TABLE OF CONTENTS iii