BSA Lifeguard

Requirements

  1. Age Requirement. To enroll in the BSA Lifeguard course, you must either be at least 14 years of age or have completed the eighth grade.
  2. Prerequisites. To enroll in the BSA Lifeguard course, you must:
    1. Swim 400 yards: Jump feetfirst into water over your head and swim continuously, in a strong manner, 400 yards. The 400 yards shall include at least 50 yards each of the elementary backstroke, the breaststroke, the sidestroke, and either the crawl or trudgen.
    2. Surface dive: Perform both a feet-first and a head-first (tuck or pike) surface dive in 8 to 10 feet of water, and recover a 10-pound weight on each dive.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to rest by floating.
    4. Perform a long, shallow dive.
  3. Aquatics Skills. Perform each of the following aquatics skills:
    1. Perform a long, shallow dive into deep water and swim an approach stroke 25 yards in 20 seconds or less.
    2. Throw a line for accuracy 10 yards, three times in 1 minute. The line may be weighted, unweighted, or attached to a ring buoy.
    3. Perform a rescue of a swimmer using a watercraft common to your area. Explain how other watercraft can be used to perform a rescue. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different craft in making rescues.
    4. Perform each of the following rescues with the aid of a rescue tube:
      1. Perform a swimming extension rescue. Using a front approach, swim with the rescue tube 15 yards to a distressed swimmer, extend the rescue tube to the victim, have the victim grasp it, and tow the victim back to the starting point in the water.
      2. Perform an active drowning victim rear rescue. Using a rear approach, swim with a rescue tube 15 yards to a conscious/active but not struggling victim. Place the victim on the tube by using a "scooping" technique and tow the victim back to the starting point.
      3. Perform a passive drowning victim rear rescue. Using a rear approach, swim with the rescue tube 15 yards to facedown victim; squeeze the rescue tube between your chest and the victim's back, roll the victim faceup and tow the victim back to the starting point in the water.
      4. Passive drowning victim front approach. Approach a facedown, unconscious victim from the front. Reaching across the rescue tube, grasp the victim's wrist and rotate the victim into the rescue tube. Clamp the victim to the tube with your other arm and tow the victim back to the starting point.
      5. Perform a submerged victim rescue. Approach until you are over the victim and do a feetfirst surface dive. Using the rescue tube between your chest and the victim's back, move the victim to the starting point.
    5. Perform a swimming rescue of a distressed or active victim using a flotation aid other than a rescue tube. Demonstrate an appropriate entry and approach stroke for 15 yards and then tow the victim to the starting point.
    6. Perform a stride jump into water at least 9 feet deep, swim 15 yards to an unconscious victim, use a front surface approach, position the victim for a wrist tow, and use a wrist tow to return the victim to the starting point in the water.
    7. Perform a long, shallow dive into water at least 9 feet deep, swim 15 yards to beyond the victim, position the victim in either a single- or double-armpit tow, and tow the victim to the starting point in the water.
    8. Perform a compact jump into water at least 9 feet deep; using a rear approach, swim 15 yards to an active victim, contact the victim and level the victim using a single- or double-armpit tow, position the victim in a cross-chest carry, and return the victim to the starting point in the water.
    9. Perform the following defense and escapes:
      1. Wrist-grip escape
      2. Rear head-hold escape
      3. Front head-hold escape
    10. Remove the victim from the water using each of the following techniques, in the appropriate circumstances:
      1. Lift from the water using a backboard and two lifeguards
      2. Walking assist
      3. Beach drag
    11. Perform an ease-in entry in shallow water and approach a victim who is facedown on the surface and simulating a spinal injury. Turn the victim to a faceup position and support the victim at the surface.
    12. Perform an ease-in entry in deep water and approach a victim who is floating facedown on the surface and simulating a spinal injury. With a rescue tube, turn the victim to a faceup position and, maintaining contact, swim with the victim to a corner of the pool or the shallow end of the pool. Repeat without a rescue tube.
    13. As a team member, participate in a backboarding procedure in shallow water.
    14. Demonstrate the proper use of mask, snorkel, and fins.
  4. First Aid and CPR
    1. Show evidence of the ability to perform the skills and knowledge of basic first aid.
    2. Show knowledge of the procedures for the universal precautions for bloodborne pathogens.
    3. Hold current certification in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or the National Safety Council.
  5. Examination. Demonstrate an understanding of aquatics program and emergency management skills by correctly answering 80 percent of the questions in a written or oral exam on theory and knowledge (standard BSA Lifeguard examination).
  6. Supervised Lifeguarding. Serve as a lifeguard, under supervision, for at least two swimming activities (2 to 3 hours total).

See the Application for BSA Lifeguard, No. 34435B, for detailed requirements.


Boy Scout Requirements

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