Second Class (Requirement 5)

Safety Precautions

Requirement 5a. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.

Ability to Swim

Requirement 5b. Demonstrate your ability to pass the BSA beginner test.  Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.

Ability to Help Others Safely

Requirement 5c. Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects.

Requirement 5d. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible. Explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.

First Class (Requirement 6)

Ability to Swim

Requirement 6a. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.

Scouter Rob VIdeo: 6a – Swim Test (2 min)

Safety Precautions

Requirement 6b. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.

Scouter Rob VIdeo: 6b – Safe Trip Afloat (4 min)

Other Boy Scout Water Safety Videos

BSA Safe Swim Defense – Troop 135 Clearwater, Florida (4.5 min)

BSA Safety Afloat – Troop 135 Clearwater, Florida (3.5 min)

BSA Safety Afloat (2.5 min) (Previous Version of Rank Requirement)

Boating Readiness

Requirement 6c. Identify the basic parts of a canoe, kayak, or other boat. Identify the parts of a paddle or an oar.

Scouter Rob Video: 6c – Parts of Boat (5 min)

Requirement 6d. Describe proper body positioning in a watercraft, depending on the type and size of the vessel. Explain the importance of proper body position in the boat.

Scouter Rob Video: 6d – Body Positioning (2.5 min)

Ability to Help Others Safely

Requirement 6e. With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.)

Scouter Rob Video: 6e – Line and Tender Rescue (2 min)

Line and Tender Rescue Demonstration – Scout video by BeeBoy07 (5 min)