Swim & Water Rescue

Swimming & Water Rescue provides its leaders with information and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to swimming emergencies during unit swimming activities. It expands the awareness instruction provided by Safe Swim Defense training. Persons completing the training should be better able to assess their preparation to supervise unit swimming events. Scouting America recommends that at least one person with this training is present to assist with supervision whenever a unit swims at a location that does not provide lifeguards. This training is open to any registered adult leader, Scout, Venturer, or Explorer who is age 15 or older. A council-approved instructor must directly supervise all training.  

The course takes approximately eight hours and is valid for three years.

Although the training is consistent with training provided to professional lifeguards, the Swimming & Water Rescue course is not a lifeguard training course and is not a substitute for Red Cross (or similar) Lifeguard training.  On the other hand, this course addresses important information that may not be covered in generic lifeguard training programs such as: preventative measures, including the buddy system and swim classification tests; how to set up a safe swim area in diverse situations; the use of non-standard rescue equipment; and emergency action plans in remote settings.

Prerequisites: 1. Be 15 years old or older prior to training. 2. Submit written evidence of physical fitness (AHMR Parts A & B). 3. Complete Safe Swim Defense training online at my.scouting.org. 4. Be able to complete the Swimmer Test: Jump feet-first into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.  After completing the swim, rest by floating. Recover a 10-pound weight from 8 feet of water. The Swim Test will be completed onsite.

Lunch will be provided.

Camp aquatics staff:   Before registering, aquatics staff members must contact maranto@aol.com to obtain a registration code.