Paddle Craft Safety expands the Safety Afloat training to include skills and knowledge to prepare a unit leader to prevent, recognize, and respond to boating emergencies during unit activities. Although Safety Afloat training provides guidelines for conducting boating activities and is required of unit leaders, it does not provide the skills training mandated by those guidelines. This course supplements Safety Afloat by providing in-depth activity training. The course takes approximately 9 hours and includes both Basic Canoeing and Basic Kayaking components. Students should arrive between 7:45 and 8:00 a.m.  Successful participants receive PCS Training Cards after passing required skills and completing the test exam with a score of 80% or higher.  The training is valid for three years. 

The course will cover the following outline:

• Applying Safety Afloat & Aquatic Supervision Principles
• General Boating Safety Skills
• Canoeing Equipment, Paddling and Rescue Skills
• Kayaking Equipment, Paddling and Rescue Skills
• Exam Review & Test

Prerequisites: All participants must pass the BSA Swimmer test in order to participate. Participants in Paddle Craft Safety must be 15 years or older.  All participants must have and bring their current Safety Afloat certification.  

Participants should download and study the BSA Aquatics Supervision Manual no. 621005 - available at https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Outdoor%20Program/Aquatics/pdf/Aquatics_34346.pdf.  The class will cover and be tested on Sections I and III of the manual.  

Participants should bring:

• Signed BSA Medical Form Part A & B                                 
• Proof of Current Safety Afloat Training
• Aquatics Supervision Manual (Digital is acceptable)
• For renewals only, proof of prior PCS certification (current or no more than 6 months expired)
• Pen/Notepad                                                                      
• Dry Clothes                                                                                         
• Swim Suit                                                                                          
• Towel
• Sunscreen                                                                           
• Hat
• Sunglasses/ Eyeglass strap, if needed.         
• Watershoes or old shoes for paddling (No Sandals)
• Lunch / Snacks- Pack your own 
• Waterbottle    
• Confirmation of Registration
• OPTIONAL - Participants may bring personal equipment such as life jackets or paddles if desired, but all necessary equipment will be provided.