Cub swim requirements - activity pin?

[LauraT7]

our troop is doing a cub recruitment activity where we are getting the local HS pool for a few hours for a family swim. (we have the safe swim, a red cross lifegard and all the safety stuff covered)

 

the boys are going to run stations so that the webelos can get their "Aquanaut" activity pin. (and have some free swim & games time, too!)

 

but the wording of one requirement is confusing - just what is:

 

"5. Demonstrate three basic water rescue methods. Demonstrate reaching and throwing. Describe going with support."

 

We can think of 3 rescue methods - reaching something in to them, throwing something, and a swimming rescue.

 

is the swimming rescue what they call "going with support"? or would "going with support" be swimming with a PFD on or a kickboard?

 

we're confused.

 

Anybody know?

[Bob White]

The Boy Scout handbook has a very diagram of going with support. It requires to scouts to perform the rescue. The swimming rescuer has a safety rope that is worn looped over a shoulder (use a bowline) and draped diagonally across his body. A rescuer on shore has a hold of the line. See the handbook to see how it is done. Once the rescuer has a hold o the swimmer in distress the rescuer on shore pulls the to safety.

 

Make sure the swimming rescuer holds the line in one hand and points his arm to the shore rescuer. This keeps the rescue line from harming the swimmwer. Also make sure the rescuer on shore keeps a low center of gravity to avoid being pulled into the water. A good trick is to have them squat and put their left elbow on their left knee. This will lock them into a low profile position.

 

Agian look in the Scout Handbook in the First Class swimming requirements.

 

Bob White

[sctmom]

The Webelos handbook says:

 

If you can't help someone by reaching or throwing, GO WITH SUPPORT. The best support is a rowboat, canoe or surfboard.

 

Then it shows a picture of a boy in PFD in a rowboat.

 

[Bob White]

Thanks Scoutmom,

My mind was in Boy Scout Mode. I re-read Laura's post and saw Cub Scout activity again. You're right of course, she shold go with the cub level information.

 

Thanks,

Bob

[rlculver415]

Do not use/teach a swimming rescue! This is not recommended for boys this age. Acceptable rescue techniques include throwing line-flotation device-whatever floats; reaching with a hand-stick or pole-human chain; using a canoe or rowboat. There are variations on these. A swimming rescue runs too high a risk that the rescuer will also be drowned by the panicking victim.

[sctmom]

Bob, Somebody has to keep you in line around the Cubs.

 

 

[LauraT7]

Whoa! you scared me there for a minute BobWhite!

 

I'm glad they only have to describe "going with support" anyway...

I wonder how the HS principal would feel about a rowboat in the school pool....

;-)

[firstpusk]

As a member of the Minnesota Canoe Association, I assure you that it is not that uncommon for a canoe to be in a high school swimming pool. We do it all the time for practicing rolls during the winter months. A canoe is the easiest to get in and out through narrow doors. Some pools actually have wide enough doors for a row boat but the weight is excessive. Ask the authorities for permission, explaining exactly why you need a boat in the pool. Make sure the boat is well cleaned and rinsed before you bring it in. Because of the inherent instability of a canoe, use a well qualified paddler and stay away from the edges of the pool. A very effective and memorable rescue demonstration can be carried out.

 

As a scouter that has been trained in Lifegaurd BSA a number of times, it is important for us to understand that attempting a swimming rescue is a dangerous and difficult endeavor. I agree with the comments of others that it is not something that we want to encourage Cub Scouts to attempt.