Guide to Safe Scouting
All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting, applicable program literature or manuals, and be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America practices, policies, and guidelines. The Guide to Safe Scouting is an overview of Scouting policies and procedures gleaned from a variety of sources. For some items, the policy statements are complete. Unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities.
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This is the full PDF version that contains updates as of October 2015. Please refer to the online version for the most updated information.
2015 Updates
September
- II. Aquatics Safety: Outdated training programs were deleted.
- VI. Chemical Fuels and Equipment: A section was added to reinforce the importance of abiding by the Policy on the Storage, Handling, and Use of Chemical Fuels and Equipment.
- VIII. Sports and Activities: A new section was added on activity planning and risk assessment.
- X. Insurance: The entire Insurance chapter was updated.
- Appendix: The Youth Protection/Membership Incident Information Form, No. 680-676, was added.
Table of Contents
The BSA’s Commitment to Safety
- Aquatics Safety
- Resource Material
- Aquatics Leadership Training Programs
- Responsibilities of Supervisory Personnel
- Safe Swim Defense
- Aquatics Play Structure Policy
- Classification of Swimming Ability
- Distance and Competitive Swimming in Open Water
- Snorkeling in Open Water
- BSA Scuba Policy
- Safety Afloat
- Tow Sports
- Camping
- Age Guidelines
- Family Camping
- Cub Scout Overnight Opportunities
- Boy Scout/Varsity Scout Camping
- Venturing Camping
- Trek Safely
- Lightning Risk Reduction
- Treated Drinking Water
- Medical Information and First Aid
- Personal Health and the Annual Health and Medical Record
- Immunizations
- Protection Consideration for Blood and Bodily Fluids (Universal Precautions)
- Local Council Membership/Participation Guidelines Regarding Communicable Diseases
- First Aid and CPR Training
- Chemical Fuels and Equipment
- Purpose
- Definitions
- Storing, Handling, and Using Chemical Fuels and Equipment
- Sports and Activities
- Activity Planning and Risk Assessments
- The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
- Caving
- Climbing and Rappelling
- Project COPE Activities
- Slacklining
- Unauthorized and Restricted Activities
- Knives
- Parade Floats and Hayrides
- Unit Fund-raisers
- Tractor Safety
- Bike Safety
- Skating Guidelines
- Horsemanship Activities
- Insurance
- Comprehensive General Liability Insurance
- Automobile Liability Insurance
- Accident and Sickness Coverage
- Transportation
- Automobiles
- Campers, Trailers, and Trucks
- Buses
- Commercial Driver’s License Compliance
- For-Hire Motor Carriers of Passengers (Charter Buses)
- Appendix
- Annual Motor Vehicle Checklist
- Meeting Place Checklist
- Tour and Activity Plan
- Flying Plan
- Unit Money-Earning Application
- Incident Descriptions and Definitions, Reporting Instructions
- Incident Information Report
- Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities
- Service Project Planning Guidelines
- Age Guidelines for Tool Use and Work at Elevations or Excavations
- Campout Safety Checklist
- Event Safety Checklist
- Youth Protection/Membership Incident Information Form