BSA LIFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS
Date
Instructor’s
Initials
11. Demonstrate:
a Rescue of an active subject in deep water
using a rescue board, kayak, rowboat,
canoe, or other rescue craft that would be
available at your local facility.
b Repeat for a passive subject.
12. Demonstrate an entry and front approach with a
rescue tube to an active subject in deep water 30
feet away from shore. Position the rescue tube to
support the subject and then assist the subject to
safety, providing direction and reassurance
throughout.
13. Demonstrate an entry and rear approach with a
rescue tube to an active subject in deep water 30
feet away from shore. Secure and support the
subject from behind and then move the subject to
safety, providing direction and reassurance
throughout.
14. Demonstrate use of a rescue tube to assist two
subjects grasping each other. Secure, support, and
reassure both subjects. With the assistance of a
second guard, calm and separate the subjects and
move them to safety.
15. Demonstrate both front and rear head-hold
escapes from a subject’s grasp.
16. Demonstrate an entry and front approach with a
rescue tube to a face-down passive subject 30 feet
away at or near the surface in deep water. Use a
wrist roll to position the subject face-up on the
rescue tube, tow them to safety, and remove them
from the water with assistance within 90 seconds.
Immediately perform a primary assessment and
demonstrate one-person CPR for three minutes.
17. Demonstrate an entry and rear approach with a
rescue tube to a face-down passive subject 30 feet
away at or near the surface in deep water. Position
the subject face-up, tow them to safety, and
remove them from the water with assistance within
90 seconds. Immediately perform a primary
assessment and demonstrate two-person CPR for
three minutes.
18. In shallow water. demonstrate in-water ventilation
of an unconscious subject when prompt removal
from the water is not possible. Open the airway,
position the mask, and simulate ventilations.
19. Demonstrate an entry and approach with a rescue
tube for use when a passive subject is submerged
face-down at or near the bottom in 6 to 8 feet of
water. Bring the subject to the surface and tow to
the nearest point of safety.
20. Remove a subject from the water using each of the
following techniques in the appropriate
circumstances with the aid of a second rescuer:
a Extrication at the edge of a pool or pier
using a backboard
b Walking assist
c Beach drag
21. Participate in multiple-rescuer search techniques
appropriate for a missing subject in murky water:
a Line search in shallow water
b Underwater line search in deep water
without equipment
c Underwater line search in deep water with
mask and fins
Date
Instructor’s
Initials
22. Demonstrate in-line stabilization for a face-down
subject with suspected spinal injury in very shallow
water (18 inches or less)
23. Demonstrate in-line stabilization for a suspected
spinal injury in shallow water (waist to chest deep):
a For a face-up subject
b For a face-down subject
24. Demonstrate in-line stabilization for a suspected
spinal injury in deep water, swim the subject to
shallow water, confirm vital signs, and with the
assistance of three others, remove the subject from
the water using a backboard with straps and a
head immobilization device.
25. Correctly answer 80 percent of the questions on
the BSA Lifeguard knowledge test covering the
course material. Review any incomplete or
incorrect answers.
26. Serve as a lifeguard, under supervision, for at least
two separate BSA swimming activities for a
combined time of two hours. Afterward, discuss the
experience with the lifeguarding instructor.
Completion Options
Course completion cards are valid only when signed by either a current BSA
Aquatics Instructor or BSA Lifeguard Instructor approved by the local council.
Training is valid for two years, provided First Aid and CPR/AED for the
Professional Rescuer training are kept current during that period.
There are five ways to obtain a course completion card:
1. Course Completion —
Complete all requirements in the instructor manual
during a scheduled course of instruction. The participant must attend all course
sessions. Makeup sessions are allowed at the instructor’s discretion. If an
individual is unable to complete all requirements during the scheduled course, the
instructor may elect to continue training until the participant is able to complete all
the requirements provided the total elapsed time from start to finish does not
exceed the 120-day period.
2. Renewal Challenge —
Anyone with a BSA Lifeguard completion card that is
current or has expired within six months may renew or extend the training by
performing requirements 2 through 25 without attending the standard course
sessions. Prior to the testing, the instructor may provide a renewal training session
to review and update skills and information. Summer camp aquatics directors
should renew training for aquatics staff members during precamp training while
emphasizing local camp facilities, procedures, and emergency action plans.
3. Crossover Challenge —
Anyone who holds current training in American Red
Cross Lifeguarding, American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding, or other
lifeguard training programs may obtain a BSA Lifeguard completion card by
performing requirements 1 through 26 without attending the standard course
sessions. The lifeguard training program that issued the training certificate must be
recognized by the local or state regulatory agency that sets standards for
lifeguards at youth camps. The instructor may provide a crossover training session
to review and update skills and information prior to the testing. The applicant may
receive credit for requirement 26 if within the past 18 months he or she has served
as a lifeguard, under supervision, or has supervised lifeguards, for at least two
separate BSA swimming activities for a combined time of two hours. Otherwise,
due to BSA procedures not implemented at other lifeguarding venues, the
applicant must accomplish requirement 26.
4. Completion of BSA Aquatics Instructor —
Anyone who completes BSA
Aquatics Instructor training at National Camping School may obtain a BSA
Lifeguard completion card.
5. Co-Instructors -
(BSA Aquatics Instructor or BSA Lifeguard Instructor) may
each sign a completion card for the other at the conclusion of a BSA Lifeguard
course if they satisfy requirements 2 through 24.
430-033WB
2020 Revision