Swimming Skills

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

MeritBadge.Org offers Swimming Skills resources for
Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Ventures!
Dozens of video links show you how to do key skills.

“ Before a BSA group may engage in swimming activities of any kind, a minimum of one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training, have a commitment card (No. 34243) with them, and agree to use the eight defenses in this plan. ”

— Guide to Safe Scouting, II. Aquatics Safety

While your handbook is your primary resource, the links below can help you learn Swimming Skills. See the Disclaimers. ►  Videos show you key skills.

Contents Swimming Strokes Backstroke (Back Crawl) Elementary Backstroke Breaststroke Butterfly Freestyle (Front Crawl) Sidestroke Swimming Underwater Trudgen Kicks Related SkillsFloating Survival Floating Treading Water PFD Diving Snorkling SCUBA Swimming Turns Surface Diving Lifesaving Skills Reach, Throw, Row, Go Fear of the Water

Swimming Strokes

Shortcut: Swimming Strokes

Again, the only resources recommended by the BSA are those in the BSA materials. See the Disclaimers.

►  Swimming Lesson Videos - How to Swim

• BSA Swim Test

Backstroke

Shortcut: Backstroke - Back Crawl

►  Backstroke (Back Crawl)

• Backstroke: body position - leg action - arm action - Step-by-step Instruction

Elementary Backstroke

Shortcut: Elementary Backstroke

►  Video: Elementary Backstroke

Breaststroke

Shortcut: Breaststroke

►  Breaststroke

• Breaststroke: body position - leg action - arm action - breathing - timing - Step-by step Instruction

Butterfly

Shortcut: Butterfly

►  Butterfly

• Butterfly: body position - leg action - arm action - breathing

Freestyle

Shortcut: Freestyle - Crawl - Front Crawl

►  Freestyle (Front Crawl)

• Freestyle (Crawl): body position - leg action -

arm action - breathing - Step-by step Instruction

Sidestroke

Shortcut: Sidestroke

►  Sidestroke

Trudgen

Shortcut: Trudgen

►  Trudgeon

• Trudgeon

Floating

Shortcut: Floating

Reminder: The only resources recommended by the BSA are those listed in the BSA materials. See the Disclaimers.

►  Float - Teaching kids to float

• Floating: Floating - Flotation 2 - Flotation 3

Survival Floating

Shortcut: Survival Floating

►  Survival Floating

• Survival Floating: Using Clothes as a Flotation Aid - [Hypothermia & Water Safety

Treading Water

Shortcut: Treading Water

►  Tread Water

• Treading Water: Treading water - Treading water 2 - Treading water 3

Personal Flotation Device

Shortcut: Personal Flotation Device - PFD

“ Properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) must be worn by all persons engaged in activity on the open water (rowing, canoeing, sailing, boardsailing, motorboating, waterskiing, rafting, tubing, and kayaking). Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved equipment (types I, II, or III) is acceptable for use in Scouting aquatics. Ski belts are not acceptable. Scouts and unit leaders should learn which type is appropriate for each specific circumstance and how to wear and check for proper fit. ”

— Guide to Safe Scouting

►  How to Pick a PFD for Canoeing

• Types of PFDs - PFD HELP and huddle positions - HELP position - Huddle position - Boating Basics: PFDs - US Coast Guard Requirements

Kicks

Shortcut: Kicks

►  Flutter Kick (or Freestyle Kick) - Frog Kick (or Breaststroke Kick) - Dolphin Kick (or Butterfly Kick)

Diving

Shortcut: Diving

Again, the only resources recommended by the BSA are those listed in the BSA materials. See the Disclaimers.

►  Diving Safety - Racing Dive

• Diving: Entries Feet First - Head-first dives - Racing dive

Snorkling

Again, the only resources recommended by the BSA are those in the BSA materials. See the Disclaimers.

“ The Snorkeling BSA requirements introduce Scout-age children and adult leaders to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with snorkeling; encourage the development of aquatics skills that promote fitness and recreation; and provide a foundation for those who later will participate in more advanced underwater activity. Snorkeling Safety is the recommended procedure for conducting BSA swimming activities using masks, fins, and snorkels. Since snorkeling is a swimming activity, Safe Swim Defense guidelines are applicable. Snorkeling Safety clarifies and extends Safe Swim Defense concepts to situations encountered during training and open water snorkeling. ”

— Guide to Safe Scouting

Shortcut: Snorkling

►  Snorkeling

• Snorkeling BSA

SCUBA

Shortcut: SCUBA - Scuba

Again, the only resources recommended by the BSA are those listed in the BSA materials. See the Disclaimers.

“ Any person possessing, displaying, or using scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) in connection with any Scouting-related activity must either be currently certified by, or enrolled in a training course authorized by the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), or Scuba Schools International (SSI). These agencies are recognized by the Boy Scouts of America for scuba training and instruction. Alternatively, if PADI, NAUI, or SSI training and instruction is not available, certification may be accepted from other agencies that comply with Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) guidelines, provided that such acceptance has been expressly approved by the BSA local council in consultation with the BSA national Health and Safety Service. ”

— Guide to Safe Scouting

►  SCUBA Diving

• Scuba BSA

Swimming Underwater

Shortcut: Swimming Underwater

►  Swimming Underwater

Swimming Turns

Shortcut: Swimming Turns

►  Open Turns - Flip Turns

Surface Diving

Shortcut: Surface Diving

• Headfirst(Pike or Tuck): [Pike Surface Dive] - With Diagrams
• Feet First: Feet First
• Surface Dives: head first - head first 2 - feet first - feet first 2

Lifesaving Skills

Shortcut: Lifesaving Skills

Again, the only resources recommended by the BSA are those listed in the BSA materials. See the Disclaimers.

• Lifesaving
• BSA Lifeguard

Reach, Throw, Row, Go

Shortcut: Reach, Throw, Row, Go

►  Reach, Throw, Row, Go (with animation at the end) - Reach - Throw

• Rescues: Reaching rescues - Throwing rescues using buoyant aids - Throwing rescues using ropes

• From De Anza College: Rescue Techniques with lots of photos - How to remove a victim from the pool - How to rescue a submerged victim - How to get an A in lifeguard training

• From eHow: How to Help a Drowning Victim - How to Rescue a Drowning Victim From Icy Water - How to Rescue a Conscious Drowning Victim - How to Rescue an Unconscious Drowning Victim -

How to Swim with an Unconscious Person - How to Use a Tired Swimmer Carry

• From WebMD: Lifesaving Rescues and First Aid for near drowning

Fear of the water

Shortcut: Fear of the water - Hydrophobia

Many youth and adults have some fear of the water but when is a fear of the water considered to be the mental disorder Hydrophobia?

Websters Dictionary states that Hydrophobia is "the mortal fear of water" literally being scared to death of water. Hydrophobia is not a fear of swimming but of all water. Hydrophobia is a mental disorder, specifically a Specific Phobia Anxiety Disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association classifies a Specific Phobia as 300.29.

If a Scout is diagnosed with Hydrophobia or other disabilities, his Chartered Organization notes this on his youth application. The Scouts Medical Record should reflect any disabilities as well. His local council reviews his Medical Record, Individualized Education Program (IEP), and other resources and can certify that the Scout has Special Needs. The Council Advancement Committee can then approve Alternate Requirements for this Scout. See Special Needs for details.

Related Awards

Aquatic Award Links

Aquatic-related awards Boy Scout Merit Badges: Canoeing - Kayaking - Lifesaving - Motorboating - Rowing - Scuba Diving - Small-Boat Sailing - Swimming - Water Sports - Whitewater Boy Scouts ranks and awards: Second Class - First Class - BSA Lifeguard - Boardsailing BSA - Kayaking BSA - Mile Swim BSA - Scuba BSA - Snorkeling BSA - BSA Swim Test Venturing: Ranger Award electives: Lifesaving - Scuba - Watercraft; Sea Scout Bronze Award - Sea Scout Ranks: Apprentice - Ordinary - Able - Quartermaster Webelos Activity Badge: Aquanaut Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Cub Scout Swimming

• First Aid Merit Badge
• First Aid Kit

See also

• Your handbook is your primary reference. See Swimming Skills for step-by-step instructions and lesson video links.
• See also: Swimming & Lifesaving Merit Badge Pamphlets - Guide to Safe Scouting - Safe Swim Defense - Safety Afloat

External links

Disclaimers

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional advice or training.

Please note that the only Swimming, Lifesaving, First Aid, and CPR materials recommended by the Boy Scouts of America are those found or listed in official BSA materials such as the current Swimming or Lifesaving Merit Badge Books or Boy Scout Handbook. Swimming, Lifesaving, First Aid, and CPR guidelines are constantly being revised. Neither MeritBadge.Org, nor its contributors make any recommendations.

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