Swim Test

[NCHudson]

My son passed the BSA swim test before going to summer camp as a Scout working towards 2nd class. Does that also complete the required BSA swim test under 1st class? OR do you have to take it over since you were not yet working on 1st class? Thank you.

[West]

If I remember right you can work on tenderfoot to first class at the same time (you have to earn them in order though).

[mrsrayzor]

'The requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence. '

This is a quote from the requirements for TF 1st & 2nd Class ranks. I read this as once he's passed his BSA swimmers test he has met both 2nd class & 1st class requirements.

DRay
Committee Chair

[West]

Yep that's the one (I don't have my book here so I couldn't quote anything). So anyway, he's all set.

[NCHudson]

Thank you both for such quick responses. I appreciate your help!

[West]

Hey, that's what we're all here for.

[Rick Tyler]

Actually, I'm just here for the free hot wings.

[wagionvigil]

Hot wings? Sound like a Wagion OA Weekend to me. WE have the best hotwings about twice a year a OA weekends.

[Scouting179]

It counts towards the First Class Rank requirement IF he passed the First Class swim test (don't confuse the two). If he only passed the Second Class swim test, then it only counts toward Second Class rank requirement.

Yes, you can work on ranks at the same time, but have to earn them in sequence (ok, I reminisce here, but back in my day this wasn't true-;)

[Hamish17]

I might need some help here but the BSA swimmer test WOULD cover Second Class 7B and First Class 9B. But it WOULDN'T cover Second Class requirement 7C and First Class requirement 9C.

Thanks, Scout Dad

[hacimsaalk]

i think it is the same for both. i only did one and i got both signed off.

[commish3]

Hamish is correct.

[cballman]

just a note we as a troop only let BSA lifeguards sign off on the swimming req. so I as a Lifequard can say that if a boy passes the BSA swim test then he has met req. 7b for Second Class and 9b for First class. and that is all. the other req. have more to do than just swim so no that wont work.

[commish3]

Remember that the BSA Swimmer test and the advancement requirements are two different animals that share similar elements.

A Scout needs only to meet the advancement requirements once, but may be asked to pass the swimmer test numerous times as he participates in water activities during his years in scouting.

For a scout to be in water there must be a certified Lifeguard present (the BSA does not require it to be a BSA lifeguard). So whether the scout is doing the advancement requirement, or the swimmer test, there has to be a lifeguard there. But nowhere does the BSA say that the lifeguard has to sign the handbook for the advancement.

[wagionvigil]

A BSA Swim test is good for one year and must be renewed each season.

[commish3]

Wagionvigil, where have you seen that documented?

[wagionvigil]

I want to say it is in the BSA waterfront Directors Guide.

Jamboree Requires AFter FEb 1 2005
Northern Tier Requires 12 Months or less before arrival
Sea Base Requires 12 months or less before arrival
Most Scout Camps require the same

[commish3]

Jamboree Requires AFter FEb 1 2005
Northern Tier Requires 12 Months or less before arrival
Sea Base Requires 12 months or less before arrival

I agree that is what those activities require, but none of them say that the swimmer test is good for 1 year. What they say is that their specific activity will accept swimmer tests that are 6 to 12 months old depending on the specific facility.

I am not aware of any document in the BSA that gives the swimmer test a blanket 12 month expiration period.

Physical abilities can change a lot in a year's time, not always for the better. If I were in charge of a water activity I would never assume that a person can do today what he did 11 months ago.

[wagionvigil]

We are both on the same page but. As an Aquatics director I always required a current Swim Test. In our council that is between January 1 and your week at camp or take it at camp. What I was trying to say is you must retake your test each year. MAny years ago when I went through Aquatics school Al Cahill said it was good for one year I remember that well.

[commish3]

I too have had the pleasure of Al's company on a few occassions, and while I trust his skills and instructions, not everyone gets to hear him talk so it is necessary for the BSA to put such rules in writing.

I am not aware of any such rule in existence on a national scope. I agree that some facilities have such a rule, but that does not guarantee that all will or must. It is a local decision.