Swim & Rescue/Paddle Craft Basic

On behalf of the Istrouma Area Council and the Avondale Scout Reservation, welcome to our inaugural Swim and Water Rescue / Paddlecraft Safety (Basic) course. This combined course (I, II, and III) is part of the Aquatics Supervision Program.

• Course I: Swim and Water Rescue
• Course II: Paddlecraft – Canoe (Basic)
• Course III: Paddlecraft – Kayak (Basic)

Note: Courses II and III will run concurrently, and participants will rotate between them during the day.

Courses I–III provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct annual unit swim classifications, organize unit swim activities, and assist with flat-water canoeing and kayaking.

Why Swim and Water Rescue?

Training for Scouting America Swimming & Water Rescue provides participants with information and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to swimming emergencies during unit swimming activities. It expands the awareness instruction provided by Safe Swim Defense training. Individuals completing the training should be better equipped to assess their readiness to supervise unit swimming events. Scouting America recommends that at least one person with this training be present to assist with supervision whenever a unit swims at a location that does not provide lifeguards. 

Why Paddlecraft Safety (Basic)?

Float trips are popular unit activities. Safety Afloat awareness training provides guidelines for safe float trips and is required of unit leaders; however, it does not provide the skill training mandated by those guidelines. Scouting America Paddle Craft Safety expands Safety Afloat training to include the skills, as well as the knowledge needed for a participant to confidently supervise canoeing or kayaking excursions. The program contains four separate modules.

• Basic canoeing and basic kayaking options cover flat water skills.
• River canoeing and river kayaking options build on the basic programs to include moving water.

Participants completing the training should be better prepared to supervise paddle craft activities. Adult and youth first aid training, including CPR, is an important safety consideration for all Scouting activities, not just boating. First aid training is not included in the Paddle Craft Safety course. It is expected that the participant has addressed that need separately, as noted in the course material and on the training card. Float trips that last overnight also require camping skills. Since Scouting emphasizes outdoor skills in many programs, only select items specific to canoeing or kayaking are reviewed in the course material.

Course Registration and Fees

• Training is open to any registered adult leader, Scouts BSA, Venturer, Sea Scout, or Explorer who are age 15 or older.
• Registration fee is $35.  Fee increases to $45 on February 21, 2026.
• All participants must provide proof of:
  • Safeguarding Youth Training Certification (Online Training)
  • Annual Health and Medical Record Parts A, B, and C
  • Safe Swim Defense (Online Training)
  • Safety Afloat (Online Training)
  • Weather Hazards (Online Training), and
  • Merit Badge Counseling Certification (Online Training)