Be ready for the swimming and paddling season. Are you ready to conduct these activities safely with your unit? You should have already taken the BSA online courses: Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat. Do you have any water safety experience? Are you ready to conduct aquatic activities, such as: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, white-water rafting, tubing, etc., at non-BSA sites or without a responsible outfitter?

When a BSA unit schedules an aquatic activity without a responsible outfitter, it is required that a person age 21 or older holds valid Paddle Craft Safety and Swimming and Water Rescue Certifications. Likewise, counselors offering Aquatic Merit Badges are required to take these courses.  With this training, you can obtain these certifications. The cost to attend this course is $15.

Prerequisites and Preparation:

• Candidates must have recently completed their Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat online training. 
• They must bring their completed BSA Medical forms on the day of the course (Parts A & B). 
• Participants must be able to pass the BSA Swim Test
• Be prepared to recover a 10 lb weight from 8 feet of water.

They must review the BSA Aquatic Supervision Manual.  The details of obtaining a download copy of the manual will accompany registration.  Additional information and directions will be provided on registration.

What to bring:

1. A bag lunch, which will be a working lunch. 
2. Swimsuit, towel and rash guard. 
3. Boating clothes and water shoes. 
4. A change of clothes: you will get wet.
5. Medical Forms A & B