Boy Scouts on "I Shouldnt Be Alive"

The tragedy where a Boy Scout died in the Grand Canyon just came on on the Discovery Channel (4:00 PM Eastern). I think this actually happened in 2005.

Yeah, that's been around awhile.

The first time we saw it, it came on and they were just getting through the introductions when my older son looked at me and said, "man, if your Scout troop is on "I Shouldn't Be Alive" it can't be good."

i just finished it, its to bad for those boys.

I remember watching that a couple of years ago. As I recall, it appeared there was very little training, experience or understanding of what they would be facing. In short, they were not prepared.

BrentAllen and Fellow Scouters,

If I may rant for a little while...

During Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills, I discuss the Guide to Safe Scouting, my fellow trainers call it the "Crew21 Adv, Gloom and Doom Speech". Mixed with a few laughs of what we cannot do, many of the new Scouters state "you're kidding" when they learn of the numerous safety restrictions and Sweet 16 of Scouting. I remind them that Scouts and leaders have become injured or died by improper planning or participating in dangerous activities. Still after all these injuries and accidental deaths, Scoutings safety record is very good compared to other recreational organizations.

Fortunately, the BSA Online Learning Center now has the Weather Hazards training. I've remind fellow Scouters of the unfortunate deaths or injuries of our fellow Scouts that were caused by not planning for weather.

Some of my reminders include.

This episode of "I Shouldn't Be Alive", the Troop that was snowed-in, up in the West Virginia mountains (found 24 hours later but a few had to amputate fingers and toes due to frostbite). The single special needs Scout that wondered away from camp and was recovered on the trail 3 days later. The drowning of the aquatics water-front staff member that was sent to retrieve buoys by himself at the end of summer camp. The morning assembly Scout honor guard that was hit with shrapnel from a small bore cannon fired during flag raising. The exhausted leader that did not get enough sleep and the van of Scouts went over the edge of a mountain road. The recent deaths at National Jamboree. The Summer Camp staffers that were playing with fire and lighter fluid just this last summer.

During adult training, they usually know we will discuss difficult topics, such as accident or injury to a Scout or adult during an event. Fellow Scouting adults are a little more flexible about these topics. They can understand the severity of safety, and quickly transition to other fun and educational topics. So after my "Gloom and Doom" speech, we discuss planning, tour permits, and etc. Then slowly move back to outdoor fun and learning.

Hopefully. These tragic losses in Scouting could lead to a Scoutmasters minute or discussion during First Aid Merit Badge or your discussion topics in district training events.

Thanks for allowing me to rant.

Scouting Forever and Venture On!

Crew21 Adv