Lifeguard

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COUNCIL RECORD

APPLICATION FOR

Is counselor certified?

BSA
LIFEGUARD

Is applicant registered?
APPROVAL:
Certification Written
Filed for year-end report

CERTIFICATION

, registered in
Name

This form to be used in local council only

No.

of

Unit

Who lives at

,
City or Town

,

,
Street or R.F.D Address

City or Town

,
State

Zip Code

has satisfactorily completed all requirements for the BSA Lifeguard certification. Date of completion

Certifying Counselor’s Signature

Type of Certification

Expiration Date

Instructing Counselor’s Signature

Type of Certification

Expiration Date

Instructing Counselor’s Signature

Type of Certification

Expiration Date

BSA LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE
1. Only those persons currently certified as BSA Aquatics Instructor or as BSA
Lifeguard Counselor may certify the completion of BSA Lifeguard
requirements.
2. Certification as BSA Lifeguard is valid for 3 years from the date of
application.
3. All requirements must be met - no substitutions or omissions are permitted.

4. The completed application is sent to the local council service center where
BSA Lifeguard emblems may be purchased.
5. To qualify for certification as BSA Lifeguard, the candidate must complete
the BSA Lifeguard course consisting of a minimum of 30 hours under the
direction of either a BSA Lifeguard Counselor or a BSA Aquatics Instructor.
The course for the BSA Lifeguard is in the BSA Lifeguard Counselor Guide.

BSA LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATION
To be recertified as BSA Lifeguard, a person who previously has been certified
can complete the regular BSA Lifeguard course, passing each of the requirements. Those whose BSA Lifeguard certification is current or has expired within

the past 12 months can be recertified by demonstrating a current knowledge
and ability to perform the skills necessary to fulfill BSA Lifeguard requirements.
It is not necessary to retake the BSA Lifeguard course.

COUNSELORS’ RESPONSIBILITY
Scouts, Explorers, or adults who become certified BSA Lifeguards must be well
qualified and able to use their knowledge in case of need without undue danger
to themselves and with a reasonable chance of success. The counselors are
responsible for the strict interpretation of requirements and the elimination of
applicants who in their judgement are not qualified by strength, judgement, or
ability to put their knowledge into practice.

The reputation of the counselors as experts depends to a great extent on the
actual performance of those they qualify. Therefore, they should be certain that
the candidates’ ability is, without doubt, of the highest caliber. It is expected that
the BSA Lifeguard emblem and certificate will always stand for a very high
standard of skill. The counselors to whom this responsibility is entrusted are
expected to maintain that standard. For interpretation of requirements, see BSA
Lifeguard Counselor Guide, No. 34534.

Counselor’s

BSA LIFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS

Date

1. AGE REQUIREMENT
To enroll in the BSA Lifeguard course you must be
at least 14 years of age or have completed the eighth
grade.
2. PREREQUISITES
To enroll in the BSA Lifeguard course, you must
(a) Swim 400 yards. Jump feetfirst in water
over your head and swim continuously for 400
yards in a strong manner. The 400 yards shall

Initials

Date

consist of a minimum of 50 yards of elementary
backstroke; 50 yards of breaststroke; 50 yards
of front crawl or trudgen; and 50 yards of
sidestroke.
(b) Surface dive. Perform a feetfirst and a tuck or pike
surface dive in 8 to 10 feet of water and recover
a 10-pound weight on both dives.
(c) Float. Demonstrate the ability to rest by floating.
(d) Dive. Perform a long, shallow dive.

Counselor’s
Initials

Counselor’s

BSA LIFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS
(e) Row. Complete the basic handling test for
rowboats.
(1) Demonstrate the ability to launch a boat
properly, row a straight line for 100 yards,
turn, come back in a straight line, land, and
moor the boat properly.
(2) Participate in a swamped-boat safety
demonstration, including a demonstration
of the use and care of PFDs.

3. AQUATIC SKILLS
Demonstrate each of the following aquatic skills:
(a) Perform a long, shallow dive into deep water
and swim 25 yards in 20 seconds or less using
an approach stroke.
(b) Throw a line for accuracy 10 yards, three times
in one minute. The line may be weighted,
unweighted, or a ring buoy.
(c) Perform a rescue of a swimmer using a
rowboat. Explain how other watercraft common
to your area can be used to perform a rescue.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of
different craft in making rescues.
(d) Perform each of the following rescues with the
aid of a rescue tube:
(1) Using a front approach, swim with the
rescue tube 15 yards to a conscious,
passive victim; extend the rescue tube to
the victim; have the victim grasp the rescue
tube; and tow the victim back to the starting
point in the water.
(2) Using a front approach, swim with the
rescue tube 15 yards to a conscious,
passive victim; wrap the tube around the
victim; and tow the victim back to the
starting point in the water. Repeat using
the rear approach.
(e) Perform a stride jump into water at least 9 feet
deep; swim 15 yards to an unconscious victim;
perform a front surface approach; position the
victim for a wrist tow; and tow the victim to the
starting point in the water.
(f) Perform a long shallow dive into water at least
9 feet deep; swim 15 yards to the rear of the
victim; position the victim in either a single- or
double-armpit tow; and tow the victim to the
starting point in the water.
(g) Jump feetfirst into water at least 9 feet deep;
using a rear approach swim 15 yards to an
active victim; contact the victim and level him
or her using a single- or double-armpit town;
position the victim in a cross-chest carry; and
return to the starting point in the water.
(h) Perform the following defenses and escapes:
(1) One- and two-hand block
(2) Wrist-grip escape
(3) Rear head-hold escape

7 30176 34435 5

Date

Date

Initials

(4) Front head-hold escape
(i) Remove the victim from the water using each
of the following techniques:
(1) Pack-strap carry
(2) Lift from deep water assisted by a second
lifeguard
(3) Shallow-water assist
(4) Beach drag
(j) Perform an ease-in entry into 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.
(k) Perform an ease-in entry into deep water and
approach a victim who is floating facedown on
the surface and simulating a spinal injury. 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.
(l) Participate in a back-boarding procedure in
shallow water.
(m) Perform the requirements found in the
Snorkeling, BSA, award.

4. FIRST AID AND CPR
(a) Show evidence of the ability to perform the
skills and a knowledge of the subjects covered
in the First Aid merit badge.
(b) Show a knowledge of the procedures for
treating a near drowning, of the universal
precautions for bloodborne pathogens, of
personal health protection, and of aquaticsrelated first aid.
(c) Have current certification in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the
American Heart Association, the American
Red Cross, or the National Safety Council.

5. EXAMINATION
(a) 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 (the standard BSA Lifeguard
examination).

6. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
(a) Explain how to guard each of the following
activities:
(1) Recreational swim (general swim)
(2) Unit swim
(3) Instructional swim
(4) Boating activity
(5) Special event
(b) Serve as a lifeguard, under supervision, for at
least two swimming activities (2 to 3 hours total).

Counselor’s
Initials



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Create Date                     : Saturday, December 27, 1997 9:18:43 AM
Title                           : lifeguard.PDF
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