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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

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All water activities

All water activities, except non-motorised and SCUBA on class C waters, delivered as Scout-led activity falls within the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme, see rule 9.7.

9.13.1.1 
Members taking part in any water activity, i.e. those which take place on or in the water, must be able to demonstrate to a suitable person their ability to swim 50 metres in clothing and equipment appropriate to the activity (where a buoyancy aid or life jacket is worn for the activity this may be used for the demonstration) and keep afloat for five minutes. Anyone unable to meet these requirements is classified as a non-swimmer and must follow Rule 9.13.1.2.

9.13.1.2 
A non-swimmer may take part in water activities, at the discretion of the person in charge, only if certain precautions are taken:

  1. any non-swimmer must wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid of approved design and be in the charge of an adult. This does not apply for swimming, paddling or activities near water
  2. there must be no more than one non-swimmer in any craft, unless a one-to-one ratio is maintained i.e. one competent adult to one non-swimmer
  3. in the case of single-handed craft this should only be on C or B1 Waters (see Rule 9.13.4) with supervision on a one-to-one basis i.e. one competent adult to one non-swimmer.
  4. where non-swimmers are taking part in swimming activities (as defined in Rule 9.13.10), they must be under the direct supervision of an adult in the water. This must not exceed two non-swimmers to one adult.

9.13.1.3 
The above conditions do not apply when below decks, protected in larger vessels or when using recognised forms of public transport.