Re: SCUBA
Michael L. Goodnight (Mike.Goodnight@BIGFOOT.COM)
Sun, 12 Oct 1997 20:48:17 -0500
Per Guide to Safe Scouting:
Scuba (Explorers and older Scouts only)
Any person possessing, displaying, or using scuba equipment in connection
with any Scouting-related activity must be currently certified by the
National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) or the Professional
Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). These two agencies are recognized
by the Boy Scouts of America for scuba training and instruction.
Alternatively, if PADI or NAUI training and instruction is not available,
certification may be accepted from other agencies that comply with
Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) guidelines, provided that such
acceptance has been expressly approved by the BSA local council in
consultation with the BSA national Health and Safety Service.
Scuba programs may be a part of Varsity or Venture activities and Exploring
for participants who are 14 years of age or older. Persons meeting the age
requirement and properly certified may participate in group dives under the
supervision of a responsible adult who is currently certified as a dive
master, assistant instructor, or any higher rating from NAUI or PADI.
Student divers must be under the supervision of a currently certified NAUI
or PADI instructor. No exceptions to the BSA age requirement are permitted,
and any NAUI or PADI age requirements for those 14 and older shall be
followed in all Scout-related activities. A 14-year-old participant with a
junior diver certification may dive only when accompanied by a buddy who is
a certified open-water diver at least 18 years old.
Because of lack of frequency of diving by most sports divers, it is
important that any certified divers be screened and evaluated by a certified
diving instructor before participating in BSA-related activities. The skills
to be evaluated include the following:
1 Use of buoyancy control device
2 Giant stride entry
3 Removal and replacement of weight belt
4 Neutral buoyancy
5 Snorkel to regulator exchange
6 Removal and replacement of scuba unit under the water
7 Face mask removal, replacement, and clearing
8 Emergency swimming ascent
9 Alternate air source ascent
10 Predive safety drill
11 Five-point ascent and descent
12 Deepwater exits
13 Simulation of surface procedures
BSA Policy on Asthma/Reactive Airwave Disease as Related to Scuba Activities
1 Persons with symptomatic or active asthma/RAD (commonly known as asthma or
bronchial asthma) should not be allowed to scuba dive. This would include,
at a minimum, anyone who:
1.1 Is currently taking medication for asthma/RAD
1.2 Has received treatment for bronchospasm in the past five years
1.3 Has exercised induced brochospasm
1.4 Has cold-induced bronchospasm
2 Persons with asymptomatic asthma/RAD who wish to scuba dive should be
referred to a pulmonary medical specialist who is also knowledgeable about
diving medicine for a complete medical examination, including exercise and
bronchial challenge testing. Any determination of fitness for diving must be
made on the basis of such examination and specific testing.
Snorkeling, BSA
This recognition may be earned by any Scout who has successfully passed the
official BSA swimmer test during the current season. BSA Aquatics
Instructors or those certified by YMCA, PADI, NAUI, NASDS, or SSI as
skin-diving instructors may conduct this program.
Requirements and program outlines are available through the Health and
Safety Service, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.0. Box
152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.
-----Original Message-----
From: Hank Nest <wnest@BGNET.BGSU.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Date: Sunday, October 12, 1997 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: SCUBA
Scott,
When I went to NCS for Aquatics Director, my instructors said that
it was O.K. for a trained and certified person to *demonstrate* SCUBA, but
it is against BSA policy for Scouts to participate in any SCUBA activity.
The question that arose in my mind was, "What about the Florida Sea
Base?"
Hank
>What is BSA stand on SCUBA. We have a number of our scouts (12 & 13 year
>olds) looking to take SCUBA lessons. They are trying to plan a camping
>trip where they can dive. I do not see how you can practice safe swim
>defense and SCUBA dive. Anyone know the rules?
>
>Scott Payne
>CC Troop 488
>Largo, FL
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Hank Nest Consultant/Installation Specialist
323 S. Mercer Apt. 4 BGSU Computer Sales and Rentals
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 University Computer Services
(419) 354-6336 129 Hayes Hall
Email: wnest@bgnet.bgsu.edu Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403
Voice: (419) 372-7724
Fax: (419) 372-2300
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
