Swim Test

[hacimsaalk]

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.

it may not be said, but for safetys sake, you should renew them every year. in our council, every time we go swimming at all, we have to retake the test.

[commish3]

Don't misundestand me hacimsaalk. I am by no means suggesting they are good for a longer period of time. If anything I am saying that there is nothing stated on a national level to suggests that the test is good for any moment beyond the activity that it was taken for.

It is the independent decision of those responsible for a specific activity or activity area who can determine whether to accept an earlier test or retest the participant at will. The test itself is not an annual license to participate in water activities.

[mrsrayzor]

Just an added note, the GTSS does make provisions 'For unit swims in areas where lifeguards are not provided by others, the supervisor should designate two capable swimmers as lifeguards.' and other stipulations.

In regard to administration of the swimmers test the GTSS simply states 'The test administrator must objectively evaluate the individual performance of the test'. Of course all rules under Safe Swim Defense must be enforced any time scouts are in the water.

DRay,
Committee Chair

[commish3]

You are correct. My post should have said designated lifeguard and not certified lifeguard. Thanks for catching that.

[cballman]

in the 6th point of the safe swim defense in the new GTSS it says that the bsa swims test should be renewed at the beginning of each season. so to my standards it would mean that the BSA swim test MUST be given each year.

[ASM-142]

Every summercamp that I have been at always requires a swimming test (adults and boys) prior to participating in waterfront activities