Learning the Swimming Safe Rules

Before the meeting: 

1. Become familiar with Scouting America Safe Swim Defense. The Safe Swim Defense course is available at Scouting America Learn Center.  
2. Find someone in your pack or local council that has completed Safe Swim Defense training in the past 2 years. This would be the best person to lead the den meeting and be present for swimming. 
3. Set up meeting space for Cub Scouts to complete the activity. 
4. Print Safe Swim Defense Rules worksheet, one for each Cub Scout. 

During the meeting: 

1. Let the Cub Scouts know that they will be going swimming together. Share that before going swimming they will be learning how to be safe in and around the swimming area.
   

   Qualified Supervision 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. 

   Personal Health Review — Completing Scouting America Annual Health and Medical Record is required. 

   Safe Area — All swimming areas must be carefully inspected and prepared for safety prior to each activity. 

   Response Personnel (Lifeguards)— Every swimming activity must be closely and continuously monitored by a trained rescue team on the alert for and ready to respond during emergencies.  

   Lookout — The lookout continuously monitors the conduct of the swim, identifies any departures from Safe Swim Defense guidelines, alerts rescue personnel as needed, and monitors the weather and environment participate safely. 

   Ability Groups — All youth and adult participants are designated as swimmers, beginners, or nonswimmers based on swimming ability confirmed by standardized Scouting America swim classification tests  

   Buddy System — Every participant is paired with another. Buddies stay together, monitor each other, and alert the safety team if either needs assistance or is missing. 

   Discipline — Rules are effective only when followed. All participants should know, understand, and respect the rules and procedures for safe swimming provided by Safe Swim Defense guidelines. 

2. Distribute the Safe Swim Defense Rules worksheet and pencils. Explain that they need to know and understand the 8 Scouting America Safe Swim Defense rules. 
3. Allow time for them to finish the worksheet.  
4. Once completed, lead a group discussion on the eight points found on Scouting America Safe Swim Defense website or their Webelos handbook.