Online Training

[wagionvigil]

I did my SSD and SA training online over the weekend It was Painless. I did my YPT a week or so ago. I think you will see more of this.

[Lynda J]

I don't mind online training for renewing but feel that the first time someone takes a training, expecially YPT it should be in a live setting.
One of the first YPT's I helped teach one mother was in tears after the film because she simply didn't realize that that kind of things actually happened in what she called "normal" families. Meaning upper middle class. She thought that child abuse only happened in low income homes.
I have renewed my YPT on line and though it is nice but think the impact of the film and group discussion is better for the first time.

[wagionvigil]

I absolutely agree that EVERYONE taking a training for the First Time NEEDs to sit through the Class. But for those of us that just need a review this is great. I have been an Aquatics Director for well over 30 years and the SSD and SA were well thought out.

[West]

I guessing my council page should have these links? (can't find them on National either).

If that's the case I might as well wait and take them at camp this summer. Our council probably won't get around to updateing the webpage until after then.

[wagionvigil]

I will put the SSD and SA site up after while. Th YPT is a link from your council.

[West]

yep, they've got that, and fast start. Don't have the others yet though. I used the search thing on nationals website and couldn't come up with the water stuff. I'm doing BSA Lifeguard this summer anyway so I'll be covering it. I would just be nice to do it to keep current since my saftey afloat expires in a month.

[wagionvigil]

http://www.scouting.org/pubs/aquatics/index2.html

Online ssd and sa

[West]

Thanks a bunch. It was pretty well thought out. I should have mentioned before that this well be the 4th time I take BSA Lifeguard (3rd time I renew).

I did have a bit of a problem with the part where one of the boys is supposed to swim out to the guy in trouble with a life line. They ought to be trying a host of other solutions first. Just something that made me a bit nervous about the quality of what they are teaching.

They also missed the PFD exception for seascouts on big boats. (meaning they don't have to wear them at all times).

[optimist]

I got the PFD on the Scout 12 times!!

[optimist]

I think the Buddy System in the Safety Afloat training is glossed over too. First they tell you how much Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat are alike (including the buddy system). Then they have only one page on the buddy system that starts off sounding just like the swimming buddy system. I can see many Scouters passing that page quickly thinking they already know what the buddy system is without understanding that in Safety Afloat there is also a need for buddy boats.

[West]

Well, we had safe swim defense, and safty afloat at round table last night. I stayed just for the heck of it, I'd already diven over there, might just as well get a real card instead of what my printer spat out.

I have to say the on-line course was much better then what the instructor did. Getting through both in a half hour with 20 people just isn't right.

[wagionvigil]

The Main Thing about the online course is EVERYONE will get exactly the Same Instruction

[West]

Yeah, I still think that it ought to be done in person the first time, but it would have to be done a heck of a lot better then what happened last night. Kind of disapointing. Our safty record isn't as good as it is by blowing through the stuff in a hurry.

[riverwalk]

As an Instructor for several things, I also recommend that initial training be in person. Everyone is different, but some Scouters may need the interchange of question/answers and hearing "war stories". Almost any class of any subject will offer stories of disaster or prevention, based on actions or lack thereof. We certainly have our share of incidents in this Scouting experience. A new Scouter taking all training online, might not learn why these things are a part of safety procedures.

That being said...today's opportunities for online training, greatly benefits us all. I take the Fast Start course for all Scouting positions (repeatedly), as a refresher. I did my last YPT in this way also. But, I did repeat Safe Swim and Safety Afloat at last Roundtable. Thank goodness we didn't do both in 20 minutes. That would not prevent the next water emergency. And there will be one. "Be Prepared"...take training every way possible, and often. And it will also serve as examples to other Scouters. You know who they are.....long time folks that don't want anyone to think they're having to review??

[freebyrd1964a]

I do have a question concerning the online training if I may. I am not only a troop committee member but the advancement coordinator for our troop. I recently took the Fast Start BSA training, the YPT, and both the water safety training(safe swim and safety afloat). The question that I have is that there is a section for "Basic Training" but no courses are showing up under my profile. Is this section reserved for SM's or are the courses just not availiable online yet?

[wagionvigil]

Not aready yet. remember this does not replace the traditional training just adds to it. Many councils are requiring the traditional training also.

[riverwalk]

Other than those you've mentioned, I think all the Leader Specific things will still be in person classes. These are always best anyway, though others like you stated are helpful until repeated in person, IMHO.

[freebyrd1964a]

Understood, I was mearly trying to find a way to fit the training into an already tight schedule. I work at night, at a very boring job so I can do just about any online training, but to actually go to a class is almost impossible without missing something equally important.

[riverwalk]

I can certainly appreciate that. I can't know how it's done in your area, but if Saturday sessions are better, surely someone is doing that? Around here, one can choose from weeknights or Saturdays, depending on the different Districts. In my own case, my schedule permits me being flexible, and I know others can't be. But I also go to different Districts and Councils for what I need/want. It's the same stuff, just held at different times.

Hopefully, the BSA sites and this one, will report when that can happen. I'm sure your scenario fits other Scouters too.

[freebyrd1964a]

At the present time, weekends are even worst. I'll contact our district to see if there's something happening during a time frame that I can squeze into.