Reach and Throw Rescue

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 wherever they go swimming, a lifeguard should be on duty to help. They will help any swimmers who get into trouble. What if someone needs help and no lifeguard is around? As a Bear Scout, you’re not expected to do the rescue work of a trained adult. However, there are some things you can do.
   • First, send a friend to call for help.
   • Next, if no adult is there, try to help from shore or the edge of the pool. If the person is close to the edge, lie down and reach with your hand. Otherwise, use whatever is available, like a towel, a tree branch, a fishing pole, or a canoe paddle. Be careful not to let the person pull you into the water. If possible, anchor yourself to another person or to a solid object like the edge of a dock.
3. Take Cub Scouts to the shallow end of the swimming area. Tell them that they will be practicing both a reach and a throw rescue.
4. Tell Cub Scouts they will be doing a reach rescue with their swim buddy:
   • Have one Cub Scout in the water.
   • Have the second Cub Scout lay on the swim deck so you are more stable and are closer to the victim’s level.
   • Be sure to anchor yourself so you don’t get pulled into the water.
   • Reach out and pull your buddy to the edge of the pool.
   • Have Cub Scouts switch.
5. Tell Cub Scouts they will be doing a throw rescue with their swim buddy:
   • Have one Cub Scout in the water.
   • Have the second Cub Scout lay on the swim deck so you are more stable and are closer to the victim’s level.
   • Be sure to anchor yourself so you don’t get pulled into the water.
   • Place the paddle craft paddle in the water and without letting go, push out to the Cub Scout to be rescued.
   • Pull in the swimmer using the paddle.
   • Have Cub Scouts switch.