Re: Planning for a Canoe Trip
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Fri, 19 Jan 1996 23:18:11 -0700
Good advice; the aquatics certifications have been somewhat relaxed so
that Scout Lifeguard credentials are not required as long as someone
certified in safety afloat is along for the trip. One CARDINAL RULE THAT
MUST BE FOLLOWED ABSOLUTELY IS WHENEVER SCOUTS ARE ON THE RIVER, WHETHER
IN CANOES OR SWIMMING, OR JUST GOOFING OFF, THEY MUST BE WEARING APPROVED
LIFE VESTS. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME VERY TRAGIC DROWNINGS WHERE SCOUTS AND
MEMBERS OF OTHER YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS OR RIVER RAFTING TRIPS
WERE JUMPING OFF ROCKS OR SWIMMING IN A RIVER WITHOUT LIFE VESTS. THE
COLD WATER CAUSES HYPOTHERMIA 32 TIMES MORE QUICKLY THAN WIND AT THE SAME
TEMPERATURE. THIS FACTOR IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED DURING SPRING RUN-OFFS AND
SCOUTS WHO ARE NORMALLY VERY GOOD SWIMMERS ARE INCAPABLE OF SAVING
THEMSELVES. IN THESE CONDITIONS, IT IS BEST THAT THEY NOT EVEN BE
ALLOWED TO SWIM IN WATER THAT COLD WITHOUT WET-SUITS OR OTHER EXPOSURE
PROTECTION.
ALSO IT JUST ISN'T WORTH THE RISK OF ALLOWING THEM TO BE WITHOUT THE
PROTECTION OF VESTS EVEN FOR A FEW MOMENTS.
Serious consideration also needs to be given to danger ratings of the
river during high runoff. If local or state law enforcement,
government or other "river-watch" groups or
canoeing clubs issue warnings to avoid canoeing or rafting during peak
run-offs, it is best to pay attention to avoid tragedy. Trips can always
be rescheduled when conditions are more favorable.
Bob Amick, Exploring Chair, Arapahoe District, Longs Peak Council
On Fri, 19 Jan 1996, John Bush
wrote:
> > On 1/18/95, Rob Morley <Rmorley@STATE.MA.US> asked about BSA
> > guidelines for aquatic activities in regard to a planned 2 day canoe
> > trip on the Saco River.
>
> Rob:
>
> Get a copy of the BSA "Guide to Safe Scouting." Your Council service
> center should have copies or be able to order them. It includes the
> BSA's Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat plans, plus a lot of other
> useful information on BSA policies relating to safety in Scouting
> activities.
>
> When I got my copy, I found that it included a lot of items that I have
> previously only heard about by hearsay. It was very useful to find
> these policies in black and white in one location. IMHO, every Boy
> Scout troop should have at least one copy of the most recent version of
> the "Guide to Safe Scouting" and refer to it when planning activities.
>
> You also wanted to know about the aquatics certification requirements.
> I believe that you will need to have at least one certified BSA
> Lifeguard (or someone with equal certification) along. I *think* the
> requirements for BSA Lifeguard are in the BSA Requirements book (the
> same one that has all the merit badge and rank requirements). The
> 1995-97 version is now available, but I don't have my copy at the office
> to be sure.
>
> I apologize if others have already given the same answers. I get
> SCOUTS-L in digest mode, so I run a day behind the discussion. I hope
> you'll have fun on your trip!
>
> YiS,
> John Bush, Committee Member, T828, Stillwater, OK, plus other hats
> I used to be an Owl . . . SR-81
>
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
