Safe Swim - Safety Afloat

[momma_bee]

Can this certification be completed online or does it have to be done with a trainer?

Mine expires in a week and I was told by the SM that someone has to have it if our family campout allows families / boys to go to the (Lifeguarded) beach.

I'd love to argue the point but it would be easier to get the training. They may still be offering it at camp, but I'd hate to take another day off to get there.

Online would be NICE!

Momma wanders back to work, grumbling that she didn't just go up to the lifeguard late and ask him to sign the card after I re-read the literature for the 4th or 5th time. Grumble grumble, should have gone, grumble grumble, missed my chance, grumble grumble, why can't someone else take a day without pay and spend their gas money, grumble grumble 'posed to be cheerful about this! I feel better now.

[rdewitt10]

Yes you can use the online version. I can not remember if you print the card upon completion of the session our I got it in the mail from my council.


Robert L. DeWitt
ASM Troop 12
Chickasaw District
Georgia Carolina Council
Augusta, Ga
And A Good Ole Bear SR-691

[wagionvigil]

i think it prints The online is actually pretty good>

[momma_bee]

I may do that at lunchtime on Monday.

Thanks for the heads up. I found the online powerpoint looking program, but since I don't turn the sound on I didn't know what they were saying and today wasn't the day to have Super Swimmer Scouter blaring out of my speakers.

[Nuts4Scouts]

Hi there ! Your SM is correct.

If you are including swimming in your program (even if at a lifeguarded pool with parents in attendance) all Safe Swim Defense standards must be followed, and at least 1 adult at the event must have current SSD training. The Local Tour Permit (which you must also have) asks for the adults name, age, & the expiration date of the training.

As for the online version qualifying for recertification - here is what BSA states about the online Safe Swim Defense & Safety Afloat at their Online Learning Center -

Please note that review of either or both of these units online is considered helpful but does not meet all the BSA qualifications for conducting water-related programs.

I would call your council first to verify that they will accept it. You might want to ask the person who is in charge of approving Tour Permits.

Think about bringing up the concept of multiple people with various trainings at your next committee meeting. The more people trained with Safe Swim Defense, Saffety Afloat, Climb on Safely, etc, the better the chance that there will always be a trained adult able to attend an activity.

[Lynda J]

You do get a printed card on line. I took mine and laminated the two cards back to back with an index card between to give it a little stability.

[momma_bee]

We're stuck anyhow.

I'll do the swim training, but my CPR is expired.

There is a class next week, but the last time I tried the summer route, there wasn't enough to run the class I wanted.

We'd love to have more trained people, nuts4scouts, but we have ongoing issues with a lack of interested adults and a lack of concern for rules with the adults who are interested. Between Poppa & I we try to keep up with the things our kids need to do what they want to do. If it benefits another, so much the better.

I told a Mom last night that this is a problem (the training) and she said "But there are lifeguards" (hear the whine?) And I told her that if I don't get certified, they won't be able to go, especially since the CPR person isn't coming.

Technically, I suppose the parents could sign their children 'out' of the camp, take them to the beach and then sign them back in, but I won't mention that because it is a stupid loophole.

[FrankJ]

The life guard would be certified in CPR. The purpose of safe swim is to insure a responsible adult is present that can recognize & verify all the elements are there for safety, that person is not necessarily the one with CPR certification.

I not saying ever compromise on safety issues, but don't get caught up in the letter of the rules that the program ceases to be fun.

[Chief J]

They can be done online, and you can print the card after completing the online quiz.

Chief J

[PPC_NYLT]

I am a BSA Lifeguard and can say from presonal experience that Frank J is right. If there is a certified lifeguard present who is qualified to guard at that location (i.e. BSA lifeguards are OK at waterfronts and pools, but not at the ocean) there is no mandatory need for the person fullfilling the "Qualified Supervision" part of SSD to have CPR certification. However, according to SSD the Lifeguards can be two strong swimming scouts who are manning a 100 ft. line-and-tender team. In this case the lifeguards do not have to be CPR certified, but the "qualified supervisor" must be. Just to make life easy, however, the adults who posess SSD and SA training certificates should also be trained in CPR and AED.