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Water based activities

The National Directory of Waters is available online.

9b.5.1 Water based activities: All water activities

9b.5.1.1 Water activities requiring permits 
All Scout-led water activities on class B1, B2, B3 or A waters and all motorised water activities and SCUBA activities on class C waters, fall within the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme, see POR 9a.7. 

Swimming is not part of the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme. 

9b.5.1.2 Swimming competency 
Members taking part in any water activity, such as those which take place on or in the water, must be able to demonstrate to a suitable person their ability to: 

  1. 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) 
  2. keep afloat for five minutes.   

Anyone unable to meet these requirements is classified as a non-swimmer and must follow POR 9b.5.1.3. 

9b.5.1.3 Participation of non-swimmers 
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 lifejacket 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 for example one competent adult to one non-swimmer  
  3. in the case of single-handed craft this should only be on C or B1 Waters (POR 9b.5.3.1) with supervision on a one-to-one basis for example one competent adult to one non-swimmer. 
  4. where non-swimmers are taking part in swimming activities (as defined in POR 9b.5.9), they must be under the direct supervision, in the water, by an over 16-year-old who is deemed to be a swimmer and has strong water confidence. This must not exceed two non-swimmers to one over 16-year-old.  

9b.5.1.4 Exceptions 
The above conditions do not apply when below decks, protected in larger vessels or when using recognised forms of public transport.  

9b.5.2 Water based activities: Life jackets and buoyancy aids

9b.5.2.1
All members taking part in water activities, excluding scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, swimming, and paddling (as defined in POR 9b.5.8) must wear an EC approved buoyancy aid or lifejacket appropriate to:

  1. the activity 
  2. the weather conditions 
  3. the size of the participant.   

This does not apply when below decks.  

Further guidance may be found in FS120603 Water Safety (buoyancy aids and lifejackets).

Where a water activity permit holder is supervising swimming, personal flotation devices are required as per the permit activity. 

9b.5.2.2 Equipment suitability 
The person in charge of any water activity must ensure that the lifejackets and buoyancy aids being used are fit for purpose and suitable for the activity on each occasion that they are used.

9b.5.3 Water based activities: Classification of waters

9b.5.3.1
All waters used for Scout activities must be classified as follows: 

Class Description
C Safe inland waters which are less than 100m wide where flow causes little effect (including swimming pools). 
B1 Sheltered inland waters and other sheltered waters where currents and tides create no real danger. 
B2
  • The sea up to one mile from the shore but excluding more dangerous waters close inshore 
  • More sheltered parts of estuaries 
  • Large inland lakes and lochs
  • Inland waters British Canoeing Grade 2  
B3
  • The sea up to three miles from the shore but excluding more dangerous waters close inshore 
  • Busy commercial ports 
  • Exposed parts of estuaries 
  • Inland waters British Canoeing Grade 3 
A
  • Open sea more than three miles from the shore, and other dangerous waters close inshore 
  • Inland waters British Canoeing Grade 4 and above. 

The National Directory of Waters is available at scouts.org.uk/waterways.

9b.5.4 Water based activities: Activities on class C waters

9b.5.4.1 Approval and Standards 
All water activities on class C waters (excluding swimming – see POR 9b.5.8, 9b.5.9, 9b.5.10, SCUBA and motorised activities) must be:

  1. approved by the relevant Lead Volunteer 
  2. delivered to the standards contained in Class C Waters (FS120623).

9b.5.5 Water based activities: Boats

9b.5.5.1 Identifiers 
All boats owned by or on long term loan to the movement must have a unique identifier clearly marked on the craft.

9b.5.5.2 Canal and River Trust waters 
When members take part in Scout activities on waters controlled by the Canal and River Trust the members or group must be identifiable as part of The Scout Association to gain access to the waters within the UK Headquarters bulk license agreement.

9b.5.5.3 Insurance 
All boats must have adequate marine insurance cover. Third party Public Liability cover is a minimum requirement.

Craft which are foot or hand propelled, sailing craft or other craft not exceeding 5m in length are automatically covered for Public Liability under The Scout Association's main policy.

Any other craft over 5m in length or motorised vessels for example, or those wishing to insure against damage to the Scout boat may require additional marine cover. Further guidance is available from Unity.

9b.5.5.4 Equipment checks 
The person in charge of any water activity must ensure that the craft and associated equipment are: 

  • fit for purpose 
  • suitable for the activity  

on each occasion that it is used.   

Further detail is in FS120627 Boat Checking.

9b.5.6 Water based activities: Charter vessels

9b.5.6.1 Activity rules apply 
When vessels are hired or chartered, the activity rules of The Scout Association apply.

9b.5.6.2 Indemnity clauses 
Before entering into a hire agreement which includes an indemnity clause such as where it is assumed that the hirer will be responsible for damage, injury or loss, the agreement must be referred to Unity ([email protected]).  

9b.5.6.3 Command by professional staff 
Where the vessel is chartered to be under the command of professional staff, the rules relating to permits do not apply.

9b.5.6.4 Passenger safety 
When taking members as passengers on hired sailing or powered craft, the leader responsible must:  

  1. have reasonable grounds to believe the person in charge of the craft, who must be either the owner or authorised by the owner, has the necessary knowledge, skill, and experience
  2. ensure that the party understands the discipline necessary for safety including any local regulations or bye laws which may apply.

9b.5.7 Water based activities: Activities near the water

9b.5.7.1 Guidance 
When activities take place near the water the guidance contained within the CCPR Group Safety at Water Margins document should be followed.

9b.5.8 Water based activities: Paddling

9b.5.8.1 Safety measures 
When in water that is, for the individual taking part, below waist height (or knee height in moving water) when standing, leaders must:

  1. conduct a risk assessment of the activity
  2. provide appropriate individual(s) as safety cover and equipment as identified by the risk assessment
  3. ensure any safety cover is in an appropriate position to provide effective cover
  4. ensure the participants are clearly visible above the water level at all times.

9b.5.9 Water based activities: Swimming

9b.5.9.1 All swimming
When in water that is, for the individual taking part, above waist height (or knee height in moving water) when standing, leaders must follow the rules on swimming except where:

  1. taking part in scuba diving or snorkelling
  2. it is a river crossing during hillwalking under the leadership of someone holding a hillwalking permit
  3. it is underground during caving or mine exploration under the leadership of someone holding a caving or mine exploration permit.

9b.5.9.2 Swimming in Class C waters 
When members of the movement take part in swimming in Class C waters including swimming pools:

  1. There must be one responsible person in overall control and that responsible person must conduct a risk assessment for the location and activity 
  2. If written operating procedures are in place, the responsible person must comply with those procedures  
  3. where no written operating procedures are in place, the responsible person must ensure that there are enough people to provide the safety cover identified in the risk assessment and that this safety cover meets the  requirements in Swimming (FS120620).

9b.5.9.3 Swimming in open waters of Class B1 or higher 
When members take part in swimming in open waters of Class B1 or higher, there must be one responsible person in overall control who must:

  1. meet the requirements of any written operating procedure
  2. conduct a risk assessment for the location and activity
  3. follow the direction of the lifeguard on duty
  4. ensure appropriate safety cover is present where no attendant lifeguard is provided.

The safety cover provided when there is no attendant lifeguard must conform to one of these two conditions:

  1. Hold the relevant elements of the RLSS National Water Safety Management Programme (NWSMP) see Swimming (FS120620), (or an equivalent or higher qualification), and work within the remit of their award:
    1. Sea (including beaches): NWSMP Coastal Waterways Module.
    2. Flat inland water (for example lakes or lochs) : NWSMP Inland Waterways Module
    3. Moving inland water (for example rivers): Moving Inland Water (for example rivers): NWSMP Inland waterways Module
  2. Hold a water activity permit (leadership or supervisory), operate within the remit of their permit (such as class of waters and group size) and meet the requirements for providing safety cover for swimming activities within Swimming (FS120620).

9b.5.10 Water based activities: Scout owned swimming facilities

9b.5.10.1 Pool operation 
The Trustee Boards of Scout properties with a swimming pool must ensure the swimming pool is operated in accordance with the HSE guidance contained within Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG179).