Guide to Safe Scouting
Presented by Bill Mulvihill
Vice Chairman, Programs – Huguenot Trail District, Heart of
VA
Who am I?
Involved in BSA for over 30 years (Eagle Scout)
Presently serving on Huguenot Trail District Staff
6 years as a Cubmaster: Pack 861, Bon Air
Presbyterian Church in Heart of VA Council and
Pack 184 Transatlantic Council
Former Den Leader, ASM
Have planned over 60 Pack meetings
Dad of a Eagle Scout and Life Scout
What this presentation is not…
Everything in the Guide to Safe Scouting, A
Guide For Current Policies and Procedures
What this presentation is…
What are the highlights of the Guide
Nothing more than tips and suggestions
Situations and experiences that I learned from
A pointer to good online resources
Hopefully, a time where we can share ideas
What should you say…
Agenda
Intro
What is a Leader’s responsibility to providing a safe
setting?
How to teach others about Safe Scouting
Sandwich Principle
Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
Vehicle Safety
Youth Protection
Medical Information
Age Appropriateness of Activities
Resources
Quiz – Scouting Safety
Leader’s Responsibilities
Are All Leaders and accompanying adults aware of the
risks of an event/outing
Have Unit Leaders been trained in the necessary Risk
Mitigation skills
Aquatics Safety
Camping OR other Outdoor Event
Hazardous Weather
Transportation
First Aid
Insurance
YOUTH PROTECTION
Is a copy of Guide To Safe Scouting on hand as a
Reference?
How to Teach Others about G.S.S.
Set Aside Time at a Parent Meeting/Leader Meeting to
discuss risk mitigation for an upcoming event.
Ensure that at all Committee Meetings, Safety and Risk
Mitigation is discussed for every activity
Have Flyers and Handouts available which drive the
point home
Have a Quiz available.
Document who attended the training
Ensure this gets added to the curriculum of the Pack
Trainer
The Sandwich Principle
What is the Bread? – Discipline and Leadership
Required to make Scouting Safety a reality
THE SANDWICH PRINCIPLE
SCOUTING SAFETY
QUALIFIED
SUPERVISION
DISCIPLINE
Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
1.
Qualified Supervision
2.
Physical Fitness
3.
Buddy System
4.
Safe Area or Course
5.
Equipment Selection and Maintenance
6.
Personal Safety Equipment
7.
Safety Procedures and Policies
8.
Skill Level Limits
9.
Weather Check
10.
Planning
11.
Communications
12.
Plans and Notices
13.
First-aid Resources
14.
Applicable Laws
15.
CPR Resource
16.
Discipline
Vehicle Safety
Don’t Enter the Risk Zone
Make sure to get plenty of sleep the night before the trip
Ensure that you get plenty of sleep the night before
Take breaks every 75 to 100 miles
Travel with multiple adults in the car, if possible
Ensure driver licenses are in force with the proper
vehicle insurance before you allow youth to get into a car
driven by someone not a family member.
Youth Protection
Understanding Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse: Starts with
2-deep leadership
One on one contact between adults and scouts is
prohibited
Separate accomodations for adults and Scouts
required
Privacy for youth respected
Inappropriate use of cameras, imaging, or digital
devices
No secret organizations
No hazing or bullying
Youth leadership monitored by adult leaders
Discipline must be constructive
Appropriate attire for all activities
Required to act in accordance with Scout Oath and
Law
Youth Protection continued
Education materials available:
Power Pack Pals comic books available in English and
Spanish
Age appropriate videos in English and Spanish
It Happened to Me
Personal Safety Awareness
A Time to Tell
Insert in every scout handbook: How to Protect Your
Child From Child Abuse
Youth Protection Guidelines, No 100-023
Three ‘R’s’ of Youth Protection to convey to Youth:
Recognize, Resist, and Report
Medical Information
Part A and B are required to be completed annually for
all participants in all Scouting events.
This should be available to the leader in charge for each
scouting event.
Part C is a Physical Exam signed by a physician. It is
required to be completed in any event that exceeds 72
consecutive hours, is a high adventure base activity, or
when the nature of the activity is strenuous and
demanding (potentially service projects)
Height to weight limits must be adhered to when an
event will take place more than 30 minutes away from an
emergency vehicle accessable roadway
Leaders need to be aware of the following medical risk
factors: Excessive Body Weight, Cardiovascular
Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma, Sleep Apnea,
Allergies, Seizures, Recent surgeries, Emotional
difficulties, ALL OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Age Appropriate Events
CONSULT THE GUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING FOR ALL
EVENTS. Just because your unit has been doing the
same activity every year, make sure you are comfortable
that the activity is within the Guidelines.
These are not recommended Guidelines, they are
Mandatory.
Aquatics
Camping
Shooting Sports – did you know that units can not do unit
level archery or BB guns?
Sports and Activities
Medical Information continued
A leader can administer the necessary medication to
youth if proper authority is given by the parent.
However, BSA does not mandate that the leader do so
Depending on the event, First Aid, WFA or CPR will be
required training by at least one particpant
Resources
BSA Guide to Safe Scouting
BSA Health and Safety Guide
Quiz – Scout Safety and Age
Appropriateness
Which of the following
activities can be performed
by Tigers, Cubs, Webelos in
certain conditions?
Which of the following
activities can be performed by
Tigers, Cubs, Webelos in
certain conditions?
Resident Overnight
Camps
Motorized Go Carting
Den Overnights
Parasailing
Family Camping
Bungee Jumping
Scuba activities
Competitive Eating Events
Open Water Snorkling
Karate or Boxing
Air Rifles
Exploring Abandoned
Mines
Laser Tag
Rifle Shooting
Knife Throwing
Use of ATVs
Paintball at Targets
Caving
Rapelling
Climbing
Back of Truck
transportation
SAFETY BEGINS WITH YOU
Thank You!