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!