Buddies in Swimming

Before the meeting:

1. Locate a swimming area.
2. Gather copies of the Scouting America Annual Health and Medical Record on each participant (youth and adult)
3. Review Annual Health and Medical Records for any restrictions that may impact participation
4. Review the Safe Swim Defense and secure the proper Qualified Adult Supervision for the activity.
   All swimming activity must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult age 21 or older who understands and knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being and safety of those in their care, and who is trained in and committed to compliance with the eight points of Scouting America Safe Swim Defense.

During the meeting:

1. Bring copies of the Scouting America Annual Health and Medical Record on each participant (youth and adult)
2. Explain to Cub Scouts that every participant, both youth and adults, are paired with another. Buddies stay together, monitor each other, and alert the safety team if either needs assistance or is missing.
3. Assign each Cub Scout a buddy who is in their same ability group.
4. 3. Every 10 minutes, or as needed to keep the buddies together, the qualified adult supervision gives an audible signal, such as a single whistle blast, and a call for “Buddies.”
5. Buddies are expected to raise each other’s hand before completion of an audible count to 10. Buddies who take longer to find each other should be reminded of their responsibility for the other’s safety.
6. Once everyone has a buddy, a count is made by area and compared with the total number known to be in the water.
7. After the count is confirmed, a signal is given to resume swimming.