Water Activities Checkpoints

In swimming and small-craft activities, safety is of primary importance. Each girl and adult is accountable for her own behavior and for conducting herself according to waterfront rules, including following instructions, swimming in assigned areas, and watching out for her buddy.

The leader must review the Step 1 checkpoints and these Water Activities checkpoints before reading the activity specific checkpoints that follow.

Planning and Supervision

£     Be sure supervising adults have current certification and/or documented experience in specialty areas such as swimming, canoeing, or windsurfing.

£     Determine the number of supervisors for a given aquatic activity by the skill level of the participants, the degree of risk, and environ mental conditions.

£     Be sure girls feel safe and confident in the water before participating in activities on the water. To determine each participant’s comfort in the water, conduct a safety exercise such as the following when water temperatures are acceptable: Under the supervision of a certified lifeguard, participants practice putting on a life jacket, entering the water, righting them selves, and coming to the surface. They practice floating and moving with minimal progress.

£     Follow the basic leader-to-participant ratios for small-craft activities in Standard 13 on page 69 for events, trips, and group camping. Ratios may be increased, depending on:

§         Number of craft

§         Size of craft

§         Age level of girls

§         Number of girls

§         Experience level of girls

§         Type of activity - instruction, recreation, tripping, etc.

§         Difficulty of activity

§         Size of body of water

§         Wind conditions

§         Tides and currents

§         Flatwater or whitewater

§         Turbidity

§         Bottom conditions

§         Shoreline

§         Proximity of other boats

£     Be sure instructions in boating safety and emergency procedures are given and are thoroughly reviewed and practiced while on land, including:

§         Preventing overloading

§         Properly distributing weight

§         Safe boarding and movement on the craft

§         General craft handling

§         “Rules of the road” for water traffic

§         Use of emergency equipment

§         Basic emergency procedures for person overboard, rough weather, firefighting

§         Self-rescue

§         Basic communication systems between craft and land, such as hand signals, whistles, horns, and flags

§         Preventing heat exhaustion or heatstroke

§         Preventing hypothermia

§         Distress signaling

§         Emergency weather procedures, such as in an electrical storm or high winds

§         Towing procedures

£     Be sure a system for recalling craft that is both audible and visible is taught.

£     Be sure that on a controlled water front, a system is in place to deter mine the location of boaters, such as a checkboard system.

£     Make sure craft weight and capacity are not exceeded (some craft have the maximum capacity clearly displayed). Consider weather and water conditions, weight of the passengers, and equipment.

Equipment

£     Be sure small craft are seaworthy, fit for water conditions, and used only for designated purposes.

£     Be sure boats comply with U.S. Coast Guard regulations and/or state and local codes.

£     Be sure that:

§         Each person wears a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) at all times when boating, regardless of swimming ability.

§         Each wearable PFD (Types I, II, III, V, and Hybrid) is the appropriate size for the person who wears it (within the weight range and chest size marked on the PFD). Each person is instructed in the proper use and fit of the PFD that she is wearing.

§         Every PFD is in serviceable condition and appropriate for the type of waters on which the boat will be used.

§         Each person demonstrates and practices using a PFD, preferably including an in-the-water experience with the PFD to test the fit and amount of flotation it pro vides.

§         At least one graspable and throwable PFD (Type IV buoyant cushion or ring buoy or equivalent) is immediately available for each group on the water.

§         When watercraft are used beyond the immediate water front area, PFDs have whistles attached for signaling purposes.

£     Check that all equipment required by federal, state, and local regulations for the particular craft and waters is aboard, in serviceable condition, and, if appropriate, labeled “U.S. Coast Guard- approved.”

£     Be sure that no gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, or other type of flammable liquid is used on board with heating, cooking, or lighting appliances.

£     Carry a repair kit and tools as appropriate.

Transportation

£     Check that the driver knows the principles and has mastered the challenges of driving a tow vehicle and trailer.

£     Check that the driver knows and uses the equipment required by law when trailering a boat.

Site

£     Observe the same general principles when using small-craft sites that are either council-owned or public, loaned or donated facilities:

§         Council guidance is obtained in selecting the area.

§         The boating area is separate from swimming areas.

§         Water conditions are suitable (consider currents, tides, presence of dams, water releases, underwater obstructions, etc.).

§         Visibility is good.

§         A lifeboat and rescue equipment are available, where appropriate.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

£     Be sure a first-aider is present and a first-aid kit is available.

£     Be sure to review first-aid procedures, including those for immersion hypothermia, near-drowning, and sunburn.

£     Be sure a float plan is filed with local authorities and a back-home contact, indicating:

§         Names of all persons on board

§         Destination

§         Description of the craft

§         Times of departure and return

§         Route to be taken and an alternate route

§         Agency or person to be notified if return is delayed

§         List of marine communications, if applicable (VHF radio, Channel 16, is constantly monitored for distress calls and is also used as a contact frequency for all recreational boaters)

£     Be prepared to alter the float plan if weather conditions change.

£     Teach girls to take shelter away from tall objects in a storm with lightning and thunder. Find the lowest point in an open flat area. Squat low to the ground on the balls of the feet. Have girls place their hands on their knees with their hands between them. Make themselves the smallest target possible and minimize their contact with the ground.

£     During storms, if shore cannot be reached, secure all loose gear, keep a sharp lookout for other boats and obstructions, head into the wind at a 450 angle, and stay low.

National Organizations

American Red Cross, U.S. Coast Guard (www.usaboating.org),

U.S. Power Squadron (www.usps.org).

Swimming Specific Checkpoints

Planning and Supervision

Public Facilities

£     Public pools and controlled water- fronts (beaches, lakes, etc.) may be used when lifeguards are on duty. Adults accompanying the group should serve as watchers.

Swimming in Backyard Pools

£     There is one lifeguard for 1 to 10 swimmers. The lifeguard is at least 16 years old and has American Red Cross Lifeguard Training certification or the equivalent. An adult trained in water rescue skills is also present. American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue is recommended for this adult and for watchers.

Swimming Activities in Pools

£     The lifeguard is certified in American Red Cross Lifeguard Training or the equivalent.

Use the chart below to determine ratios.

Swimming Activities in Lakes, Slow-Moving Streams, Rivers, or Oceans

£     One adult lifeguard currently certified in American Red Cross Lifeguard Training plus Waterfront Lifeguarding Module or the equivalent for every 10 swimmers, plus one watcher.

Lifeguard Ratio Planning

£     The ratio of lifeguards and watchers to swimmers may need to be increased depending on:

§         Number of girls in one area

§         Swimming level and ability

§         Girls with disabilities (depending on the types)

§         Age level and ability to follow instructions

§         Type of swimming activity— instruction, recreation

§         Type of swimming area

§         Weather and water conditions

§         Rescue equipment available

*May be a minor in the state where the activity takes place but cannot be under 16 years of age.

Wading

£     When girls are wading in water more than knee-deep, an adult with American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue certification or with documented experience in basic water rescue skills is present. A ratio of one watcher to 10 girls is maintained.

For All Swimming Activities

£     When on duty, lifeguards and watchers are stationed at separate posts and stay out of the water except in emergencies.

£     Each participant is tested and classified according to her swimming ability. Untested participants are limited to shallow water.

£     In a controlled waterfront, a checkboard system is used to indicate which girls are in the water and in which swimming area.

£     In crowded areas, a color system is used for identification. Non-swimmers, novice swimmers, and skilled swimmers each have a wristband or a hair band of a different color.

£     The length of a swimming period is determined by the swimmer’s condition and comfort, weather conditions, and water temperature. Generally, 30-minute swimming periods are sufficient.

£     Instruction is given in basic swimming rules:

§         Girls do not dive into above- ground pools, shallow areas, etc.

§         Girls swim in supervised areas only.

§         Girls do not swim immediately after eating, when overheated, or when tired.

§         Girls swim at a safe distance from any diving board.

§         Girls swim with a buddy.

§         Girls learn and practice proper use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and other rescue equipment.

Equipment

£     Basic rescue equipment is immediately available:

§         Reaching pole, approximately 12 feet long (or appropriate to the site)

§         Ring buoy or throw bag with firmly attached line approximate ly 30 feet long

§         Rescue tube

§         Backboard

§         First-aid kit

£     Electrical appliances such as radios or portable telephones are not used in or near swimming areas.

Site

£     Whether using council-owned or - operated swimming sites or public, loaned, or donated facilities, the same general principles are observed:

§         At public facilities, the water quality passes the local health department tests. Where needed, a copy of the report is obtained from the local health department or a pool test kit is used.

§         Bottles, glass, and sharp objects are not allowed in the swimming area or on the beach or pool deck.

§         Swimming-ability areas are clearly defined.

§         Girls swim only during daylight hours or in a well-lit pool at night.

§         Weather and water conditions are suitable for the activity. Wind, waves, water and air temperature, and electrical storms are factors for consideration.

§         An emergency telephone is avail able, whenever possible.

Swimming Pool

£     Local and state ordinances are observed.

£     Local health department pool sanitation regulations are observed.

£     Pool water depths are clearly marked.

£     Shallow areas are marked “No Diving.”

£     Periodic maintenance checks are made. Maintenance requests and repairs are documented, and records are retained.

£     Water pH and chlorine are tested and maintained at safe levels. Tests are documented, and records are retained.

£     The pool is adequately filtered so that the water is clear.

£     The decks around the pool are kept clean and free of clutter.

£     The surrounding fence and gate or doors to the pool are locked when the pool is unsupervised.

Beach or Other Waterfront Area

£     Hazards are eliminated or clearly marked.

£     Girls are instructed to avoid strong currents, sharp dropoffs, quicksand bottoms, rough surf, and other potentially dangerous conditions.

£     As best as can be determined, the water is free of dangerous marine life.

£     The bottom is relatively free of debris, sharp stones, and shells.

£     Swimming, diving, and small-craft areas are separate. They are clearly marked or roped off or both.

Sliding Boards

£     A watcher signals that the next person may slide when the landing area is clear.

£     Only one person may be on the slide at a time.

£     Girls slide in a sitting position, never headfirst.

£     The landing area is off-limits to other swimmers.

£     The water in the slide landing area is at least four feet deep.

Diving Areas

£     The diving area is divided from the swimming area by a buoyed line.

£     The water in the landing area is a minimum of 10 feet deep for recreational diving boards. The boards are usually 12 to 14 feet long and less than 3 feet above the water’s surface.

£     The water in the landing area is a minimum of 12 feet deep for competitive diving boards. The boards are usually 16 feet long and 3 to 10 feet above the water’s surface.

£     Diving is restricted to water of sufficient depth and checked in advance for submerged obstructions. Diving is prohibited in waters of unknown depth and conditions.

£     Recreational divers do not manipulate the adjustable fulcrum on springboards. During recreational swimming periods, the adjustable fulcrum is locked in a fixed position, preferably in its most forward position, to reduce the spring of the board.

£     The maximum water depth extends 10 feet on each side of the center line of the board. If tides, drought, and similar forces affect the water depth, it is checked each time before diving is permitted.

£     Girls do not dive off the side of the board.

Waterparks

£     Adults and girls must:

§         Read and follow all park rules and the instructions of lifeguards.

§         Wear sunscreen.

§         Drink lots of water to avoid heat dehydration.

§         Wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs if they are weak swimmers.

§         Know their physical limits. Observe a ride before going on.

§         Not dive. Always know the depth of the water before wading in.

§         Not run. Most minor injuries at water parks are caused by slips and falls.

§         Use extra care on water slides. They cause a significant number of injuries. See “Sliding Boards.”

§         In wave pools, stay away from the walls.

Snorkeling

£     Masks, snorkels, and fins are sized for the individual using them. To function adequately, the mask must fit the face of the user.

£     Girls learn to swim before going snorkeling. A swimming instructor teaches snorkeling techniques and safety. Girls practice in a pool or a shallow area before venturing else where.

£     When snorkeling in coastal areas, a PFD is used.

£     To preserve coral reefs, girls do not stand on reefs, collect organisms, or kick up bottom materials. They do not feed aquatic creatures while snorkeling.

Scuba Diving

£     Girls who wish to learn to scuba dive must be at least 12 years old and meet the health requirements set by the certifying agency.

£     Scuba diving is taught and con ducted by a scuba instructor certified by one of the following organizations or by a person with equivalent certification:

§         Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

§         National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)

§         Scuba Schools International (SSI)

§         YMCA

£     Equipment is thoroughly tested and checked by the instructor and the participant before each use.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

£     A first-aider is present.

£     A list of emergency telephone numbers, including ambulance, hospital, police, and fire or rescue unit, is posted.

£     All girls learn self-help techniques for emergencies, such as cramps.

£     All girls know and practice basic rescue techniques, such as reaching with a hand or towel, throwing a ring buoy or throw bag, and extending a kickboard.

£     The procedures to follow in case of a lost swimmer or other emergency are written, reviewed, and practiced.

National Organizations

American Red Cross,

National Association of Underwater Instructors (www.naui.org),

National Safety Council,

Professional Association of Diving Instructors (www.nsc.org),

Scuba Schools International (www.ssuisa.com),

United States Swimming, Inc.,

YMCA (www.ymcascuba.org).

These pages are for check-list purposes only. Please refer to your Safety-Wise book to make sure the checklist information is current and accurate.
These pages are not endorsed by Girl Scouts of the USA.  'Girl Scouts' and 'Girl Scouts of the USA' are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Girl Scouts of the USA.

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