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AquatDir

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Everything posted by AquatDir

  1. it seems a different arguement all together has been discussed by most of the people on this forum. i'm not arguing that the job of a lifeguard would be much easier if the policy simply said no goggles, nose plugs and such. this issue here, from the original post was simply if a scout who needs those aids shoudl pass the test. if it is a matter of passing it for his rank advancement then most of you are right, i have no authority to hold that scout back. but, in a summer camp situation where this scout will be participating in open swim, canoeing, sailing, etc, it would not be very respons
  2. packsadle, yeah, my job may be easier if the rules simply said no earplus, goggles and such. i mean, i could simply produce document for an angry scoutmaster. but you know what, its not so hard as is. in my aquatics area, like it or not, no person who NEEDS those aids in order to do the actual act of swimming will be givin a swimmer buddy tag. go ahead and poke holes in this statement. i'm sure theres plenty of places to do so. i'm not really concerned about writing a flawless argumenmt here, i dont need to, i know my job come summer time as well as my priorities. i know i have the s
  3. Word up scoutldr. the guys arguing agains my points seem to be taking a logical approach. i entered this discusion thinking we were trying to answer a real question, not some hypothetical mumbo-jumbo. currently the BSA does not actualy use the words goggle and nose plugs so people like you, youngblood, and myself must evaluate the guidlines, as well as each boys swimming ability, the best we can so that everyone in our program has a SAFE, and fun time.
  4. packsadle, sorry about the quote misunderstanding. i am writing in a cyber cafe at 20 min time limits and the post didnt click till my next computer visit. i'll admit i have been getting into this discussion and it may have caused me to be a bit hasty. i however stand by the things i've said. this was the orginal post: I am working with a scout who insists that he needs to wear a nose plug and goggles when swimming. (This is a work in progress, and I am quite aware that the goal is to not depend on these aids.) However, several of my esteemed fellow scouters insist that the scou
  5. packsadle, you said: "The reason the BSA has a little ambiguity in these requirements (i.e., "in a strong manner") is because they do not want the "in charge" types (i.e., "qualified supervision") to be forced to do something by a disgruntled Scoutmaster (or some other "not in charge" type), such as allow a boy to be classified as a swimmer, when in fact the "in charge" type feels this is not a safe action for the boy and/or for those around him." so you are saying you would like it if ridged rules forced a lifeguard to go against his better judgement in order to please a scoutmaster?
  6. your last post was in responce to me not youngblood i take it. just wanted to clarify we are not the same person, just see eye to eye.
  7. how many times does it have to be said? situation dictates. i made the statement about a boy having doctors orders to wear a nose plug or goggles because i do not think that every boy wearing them is a safty issue. each situation is different and should be evaluated by the ligeguards in charge. i also understand that scouts who pass the test without aids can still panic at some point while participating in an aquatics activity. unfortunatly i can not see all possiblities. those possibilities i do see, i will do my best to control. preventitive lifeguarding is what BSA teaches. this mea
  8. packsaddle, you talk about people such as YoungBlood and myself as not having proof that these nose plugs and goggles are a problem. niether one of us is trying to make a case that in all situations these aids will cause problems. i believe i states before that the situation dicatates. maybe you think i just throw kids in the water and see who makes it to the end. maybe i dont even really pay attention to the way the scout swims as long as they get there in the end. yeah, i probably even throw all kids with nose plugs, goggles, rings, caps, ID bracelets and such out of my pool without q
  9. Swim 75 yards in a strong manner. this is where the trained, qualified adult in charge has to make a decision. what defines strong manner. thats the director in charge to decide. thats what he or she has been trained and paid for. packsaddle, before you threaten those willing to disqualify one of your boys you should consider that. it is the responsibility of the qualified supervison to be sure each boy can complete this test in a strong manner. i wouldnt consider a scout who, while swimming well enough with these aids, panics when those aids are removed. unfortunatly we do not live in
  10. my responces in this forum have been in responce to the other posts. when running an aquatics area i dont simply follow some strict guidline that i set forth. the situation dictates. as i said, if a boy can swim yet is terrified in the water without his aids then i say he's not a swimmer. if a boy simply prefers them, well he's good to go. if a scout has a doctors orders not to go in the water with out earplugs or goggles i dont have a problem with that. lets think here. is he wearing those things because if not he will panic? or is he wearing them because his doctor has suggested them
  11. i'd have to do some research but as far as i know in order to pass the swim test a scout or scouter must do so in a "strong" manner. the word strong in this respect is up for interpretation. it is the job of the qualified adult in charge to make that interpretation. if a camp only offered pool activities then perhaps a scout who needed goggles wouldnt be such a big deal. but in my case, we have a whole bay in addition to a pool. my instructors can not be within ten feet of each sailboat or canoe. with that said it is crucial that each scout be able to handle the water without his ear plu
  12. I totally agree with youngblood in this. i am an aquatics director and in my area i am responsible for the safty of each child and leader who comes through my camp. lets say we have a scout who passes the swim test with flying colors. althoug he needs those aid which have been discussed. theres no doubt the child is at swimmer level. but, do i feel safe with him playing in the deep end during open swim? i'll tell you what i would do. after this kid passes his test i'd ask him to take off the aids and simply jump in. if he's downright terrified at the idea then you can be sure he will n
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