The Scuba BSA program was

created and implemented

with assistance from

International PADI, Inc.;

www.padi.com

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SCUBA BSAScuba BSA introduces qualified Boy Scout, Venturing,and registered adult participants to the special skills,equipment, and safety precautions associated withscuba diving, encourages aquatics activities that pro-mote fitness and recreation, and provides a foundationfor those who later will participate in more advancedunderwater activity.

The Scuba BSA experience contains two parts—Knowledge Development and Water Skills Development.During the first part, participants learn basic dive safetyinformation and overview skills to be used during theirwater experience. The Water Skills Development sessionintroduces essential dive skills, such as mask clearing,regulator clearing, and alternate air source use.

The Scuba BSA program is conducted in clear, confinedwater by an instructor certified by diving organizationsrecognized by the BSA. Completion of Scuba BSArequirements sets the stage for additional training, butdoes not qualify the participant to dive independently,either in confined water or open water environments.Scuba BSA is not a diver certification.

SCUBA SAFETYScuba diving is an advanced swimming activity. SafeSwim Defense guidelines, as found in the Guide to SafeScouting, apply, but must be extended to cover under-water communication, the use and care of equipment,buoyancy control, and the effects of pressure. The fol-lowing discussion highlights safety issues that will becovered during Scuba BSA instruction, and also identifiesimportant safety concerns that may not be covered inthis introductory scuba experience. While Scuba BSA isdesigned to be educational as well as fun, it is importantfor you to realize that neither the material in thisbrochure, nor completion of the requirements, providesyou with the necessary knowledge and experience toparticipate in any scuba activity other than additionaltraining courses conducted by certified instructors.While the Scuba BSA program is open to qualified par-ticipants of Boy Scout age, additional scuba training as aBSA activity is limited to those 14 or older.

Qualified SupervisionYour Scuba BSA experience will be conducted by a certi-fied instructor following standards established by theRecreational Scuba Training Council and additional BSAguidelines provided in the Information for Counselorssection of this brochure.

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Any additional scuba training you receive should also beconducted by an instructor certified by a recognizedagency. Even though a friend may be certified as anopen-water diver and have access to equipment, heshould not offer, nor should you accept, any invitation todive unless you are also certified. If you and others in yourunit do become certified, any dive trips as a unit must besupervised by adults with dive master or higher rating.

Physical FitnessYour Scuba BSA instructor will ask you to complete ahealth history form. Certain responses on that form mayrequire that you get a physician’s approval before you areallowed to use equipment in the water. Those withchronic disease or physical disability may still be able toenjoy and benefit from a scuba experience if the instruc-tor is aware of the condition and approval has beenobtained from a licensed physician.

You will learn during Scuba BSA or more advancedinstruction that you should postpone diving activities ifyou are suffering from a cold or sinus condition that caus-es temporary congestion. The reason has to do with theeffects of pressure, as discussed elsewhere in thisbrochure.

Safe AreaInstruction for Scuba BSA will be done either in a pool orat an established waterfront swimming area with pool-like visibility.

Safety in open water requires consideration of several fac-tors such as water clarity and temperature, currents, surf,boat traffic, and marine life, including vegetation.Learning how to deal with such variables is an importantaspect of diver certification programs.

Emergency PreparednessSafe Swim Defense specifies lifeguards and lookouts asmembers of a team to recognize and deal with emer-gency situations. Those functions will be assumed byyour instructor and his/her assistants during Scuba BSAinstruction.

The Scuba BSA requirements will introduce you to tech-niques for sharing air while underwater. Additional skillsto aid a buddy in distress are covered in more advancedcourses. It is important that you receive such trainingbefore you dive in open water.

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The dive master or other person providing underwatersupervision during open water dives will be trained tohandle emergencies. In addition, group dives often havesurface support personnel who are also prepared toassist divers in distress.

AbilityYou must first complete the BSA swimmers test beforeyou work on other Scuba BSA requirements. Initial com-fort and confidence in the water, as indicated by reason-able swimming ability, is a first step to enjoyment of theunderwater world opened by the use of scuba. You willneed to gain additional abilities through instruction andexperience before you become a competent scuba diver.

Buddy SystemSkilled divers never dive alone. The buddy system allowstwo people to enjoy an aquatics activity together whileeach provides a critical margin of safety for the other.Each buddy must constantly be aware of the conditionand circumstances of his buddy and always ready to callfor aid or to assist if needed. Before a dive, buddies helpeach other fit and check their equipment. Your use of thebuddy system for scuba diving will begin with Scuba BSAinstruction.

CommunicationThe ability to communicate with each other is an impor-tant part of the buddy system. Scuba divers seldom havethe special equipment needed to speak to one anotherwhile underwater. It is therefore important that you learnthe standard hand signals used by scuba divers. Yourinstructor will teach you these as part of the Scuba BSAprogram. Photos of the signals are included in thisbrochure as a learning aid.

EquipmentSafe diving requires that you know how to check, use,and maintain special equipment. Scuba BSA will intro-duce you to the proper use of basic scuba equipment.Additional knowledge of your equipment, as provided incertification courses, is needed before you are ready foropen-water diving.

Buoyancy ControlBuoyancy control is important for safe, as well as enjoy-able, diving. Certified divers are able to “hang” withoutmovement at any given depth. That is, they don’t needto use their fins to keep from either sinking or popping tothe surface. This is done by adding and subtracting airfrom a “buoyancy control device” or BCD. Scuba BSA willintroduce you to the use of a BCD. Your BCD can also beused as an emergency flotation device at the surface.

Understanding PressureAn apparently simple action such as holding your breathduring an ascent can cause problems due to the interac-tions of water and air pressure with your body. You willbe introduced to proper compressed air breathing tech-niques and how to perform a safe ascent as part of ScubaBSA. Other critical aspects of safe open-water diving,such as how long you can safely remain at what depth,are not covered during Scuba BSA instruction.

DisciplineSafety procedures are effective only when they are fol-lowed. It is the joint responsibility of both the dive super-visor and each individual to maintain safe attitudes andactions. Your instructor and buddy should both be able toassume that you are trustworthy, helpful, and obedient.

Snorkeling BSAScuba provides exceptional freedom to explore theunderwater world. However, there is often much to seenear the surface. While you wait for the opportunity toexpand your scuba skills, you may wish to earnSnorkeling BSA.

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COMMUNICATIONThese are standard scuba hand signals that are useful both above and below the surface. You will learn these as partof your Scuba BSA experience.

Stop; hold it; stay there. OK? OK! (glove on)Something is wrong. OK? OK!

Distress; help! OK? OK! (one hand occupied)OK? OK! (on surface at distance)

Danger! Go down; going downGo up; going up

Low on air! Buddy breathe or share airOut of air!

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COMMUNICATION

Come here. Under, over, or aroundMe or watch me.

Level off; this depth Which direction?Go that way.

Ears not clearing. Take it easy; slow down.I am cold.

Hold hands. You lead, I’ll follow.Get with your buddy.

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UNDERSTANDINGPRESSUREIf you dive rapidly to the bottom of a swimming poolwithout a scuba tank, you are likely to notice pressure, orpain, against your ears. If you swallow, or wiggle yourears, the feeling may go away.

Your body is used to a pressure of one atmosphere (theweight of the column of air from sea level to outerspace) of around 14 pounds per square inch. Since waterweighs much more than air, pressure underwaterincreases rapidly with depth. Every 33 feet or so, youadd another atmosphere. As you descend, the waterpressure outside your chest squeezes your lungs, andraises the air pressure inside them. If air is free to movefrom your lungs to your inner ear, the pressure of the airon the inside of your eardrum will match the pressure ofthe water on the outside, and you won’t feel any differ-ence in pressure. If the Eustachian tubes that connectyour lungs to your inner ear are blocked, the air pressurein your inner ear remains the same as that at the surface,and pain will warn you of the miss-matched pressure.

Sound complicated? Don’t worry; even if you don’tunderstand the details, your instructor will still show youhow to equalize pressure in your ears. However, if youhave a cold with nasal or sinus congestion, you may notbe able to do so, and should not dive until the conges-tion clears. You will not feel pain or discomfort if youequalize properly. If you do feel discomfort in your ears,stop descending and signal your instructor.

If you dive to the bottom of the pool while breathingfrom a scuba tank, you still need to clear your ears, butthe situation is different. The pressure in your lungs goesup not because they are squeezed, but because your airsupply is under pressure. You breathe through a specialvalve, or regulator, that changes the air pressure fromyour tank to match what you need at a given depth.

Breathing air under pressure can cause problems if youhold your breath as you change depth. You need torelease the pressure in your lungs as your ascend to pre-vent possible damage to delicate lung tissue. That leadsto the most important rule while scuba diving: Neverhold your breath.

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The volume of air in your BCD controls your buoyancy. Asyou change depth, the water pressure changes, and air inthe BCD expands or contracts. You either need to add orremove air to control your buoyancy at a new depth.

You probably know from your experience with carbonat-ed drinks that liquids can hold dissolved gases. Thegreater the pressure, the more gas the liquid can absorb.If you breathe air under pressure for long periods, yourblood will absorb some of the air. If the pressure of the airyou are breathing is then reduced too quickly, air bubblesmay form in your blood and cause various decompres-sion problems. You don’t need to be overly concernedwith such problems for times and depths you encounterfor Scuba BSA. However, you risk serious injury if you usescuba equipment on your own without proper trainingand understanding of the effects of pressure.

EQUIPMENTA mask provides an air space to improve vision. Maskdesigns allow for pressure equalization.

A snorkel provides an alternate breathing technique atthe surface.

A regulator supplies air on demand at the proper pressure.

A buoyancy control device (BCD) allows the diver toremain stationary at a given depth.

Air can be added to the BCD either from the tank or oral-ly, using an inflator.

A pressure gauge measures the air supply in the tank.

Other instruments mounted on a console, hose, or wristinclude a depth gauge for measuring depth, a com-pass for navigation, and a dive computer that moni-tors how long the diver can safely spend at a givendepth.

An extra regulator, or octopus, provides a secondary airsource from the same tank.

A weight belt, in combination with the BCD, adjustsbuoyancy.

A valve at the top of the tank supplies high-pressure airto the regulator via a hose.

Fins greatly improve the power from swimming.

Protective clothing may include booties, gloves,skins, and a partial wetsuit or a full wetsuit.

Pressure gauges comein a number of designs,but all indicate when theair supply is low.

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FLORIDA NATIONALHIGH ADVENTURESEA BASEThe Florida National High AdventureSea Base in the Florida Keys offersseveral exciting programs, includingscuba certification. For more infor-mation, visit www.bsaseabase.org.

BSA SCUBA POLICYIf your unit is interested in pursuing scuba activitiesbeyond Scuba BSA, here are the rules for doing so:

Any person possessing, displaying, or using scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) in connec-tion with any Scouting-related activity must either becurrently certified by, or enrolled in a training courseauthorized by, the National Association of UnderwaterInstructors (NAUI), the Professional Association of DivingInstructors (PADI), or Scuba Schools International (SSI).These agencies are recognized by the Boy Scouts ofAmerica for scuba training and instruction. Alternatively,

if PADI, NAUI, or SSI training and instruction are notavailable, certification may be accepted from otheragencies that comply with Recreational Scuba TrainingCouncil (RSTC) guidelines, provided that such accept-ance has been expressly approved by the BSA localcouncil in consultation with the BSA national Health andSafety Service.

Cub Scouts are not authorized to use scuba in anyactivity.

The use of scuba is not authorized for Boy Scout unit,district, or council activity, including summer camp pro-grams, except that registered Boy Scout youth andleaders may participate in the Scuba BSA award programconducted by a certified dive instructor in compliancewith this policy and the procedures in the Scuba BSAbrochure, No. 13-971. The Scuba BSA award is not adiver certification program.

Scuba training programs may be a part of Varsity orVenturing activities for participants who are 14 years ofage or older. Persons meeting the age requirement andproperly certified may participate in group dives underthe supervision of a responsible adult who is currentlycertified as a dive master, assistant instructor, or any

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higher rating from NAUI, PADI or SSI. Student diversmust be under the supervision of a currently certifiedNAUI, PADI, or SSI instructor. No exceptions to the BSAage requirement are permitted. Scouts with a juniordiver certification may dive only when accompanied bya buddy who is a certified open-water diver at least 18years old.

Because of lack of frequency of diving by most sportsdivers, it is important that any certified divers bescreened and evaluated by a certified diving instructorbefore participating in BSA-related activities. The skills tobe evaluated include the following:

a. Use of buoyancy control device

b. Giant stride entry

c. Removal and replacement of weight belt

d. Neutral buoyancy

e. Snorkel to regulator exchange

f. Removal and replacement of scuba unit under the water

g. Face mask removal, replacement, and clearing

h. Emergency swimming ascent

i. Alternate air source ascent

j. Pre-dive safety drill

k. Five-point ascent and descent

l. Deepwater exits

m. Simulation of surface procedure

Persons with symptomatic or active asthma/reactive air-way disease (commonly known as RAD) should not beallowed to scuba dive. This would include, at a mini-mum, anyone who:

a. Is currently taking medication for asthma/RAD

b. Has received treatment for bronchospasm inthe past five years

c. Has exercise induced bronchospasm

d. Has cold-induced bronchospasm

Persons with asymptomatic asthma/RAD who wish toscuba dive should be referred to a pulmonary medicalspecialist who is also knowledgeable about diving medi-cine for a complete medical examination, includingexercise and bronchial challenge testing. Any determi-nation of fitness for diving must be made on the basis ofsuch examination and specific testing.

Scuba equipment may be used by trained summer campaquatics program personnel for installation and mainte-nance of waterfront equipment, or for search and recov-ery operations. Search and recovery could include lostequipment, as well as rescue efforts.

BSA employees whose position descriptions require oranticipate scuba use should be certified by PADI, NAUI,or SSI as instructors, assistant instructors, or dive mas-ters, consistent with their duties and responsibilities.When scuba diving is to be taught in connection withany local council program, local PADI-, NAUI-, or SSI-cer-tified instructors should provide the instruction on a con-tract basis. Such instructors should have dive store orother commercial affiliation that provides liability cover-age. Direct employment of scuba instructors is not rec-ommended.

Local council programs may not compress or sell air forscuba use, or sell, rent, or loan scuba equipment to any-one for any purpose. All air and equipment for localcouncil program use must be obtained from properlylicensed sources, unaffiliated with the Boy Scouts ofAmerica, and under the supervision of PADI-, NAUI-, orSSI-certified instructors.

Established and preexisting local council programs mayrequest special authorization through the national BSAHealth and Safety Service for exceptions to this policy.Determinations with respect to such authorization willbe based upon independent evaluation of each localprogram, confirmed in writing, and subject to periodicreevaluation.

So called “hard-hat diving” or any diving using surface-supplied air systems is unauthorized in connection withany BSA activity or facility except when done under con-tract by commercial divers.

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SCUBA BSA APPLICATIONName of applicant ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Unit number_____________________ Council____________________________________________________________________

Name of counselor*______________________________________________________________________________________________

Agency qualification and scuba instructor number*______________________________________________________________

Counselor signature indicating completion of all requirements ____________________________________________________

Date of completion__________________________________________________________________________________________

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REQUIREMENTS1. Before doing other requirements, successfully com-

plete the BSA swimmer test. To begin the test, jumpfeet first into water over the head in depth, level off,and begin swimming. Swim 75 yards in a strong man-ner using one or more of the following strokes: side-stroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yardsmust be completed in one swim without stops andmust include at least one sharp turn. After completingthe swim, rest by floating.

2. Discuss the importance of using the buddy system atall times while scuba diving. Explain that a dive buddyis there to assist with the donning and doffing ofequipment, to lend assistance in case of emergencyand to share in the underwater experience.Remember, always dive with a buddy—Never divealone!

3. Review hazards associated with scuba diving, includ-ing causes of decompression incidents, and safetyprocedures to avoid them. Explain the importance ofnever using scuba equipment unless you are enrolledin a training exercise, or have completed a diver cer-tification program, taught by a certified instructor.

By the end of a Water Skills Development ses-sion, the participants will be able to meet thefollowing requirements in clear, confinedwater:

4. State the purpose of the following pieces of basicdiving equipment: mask, fins, BCD, BCD inflator,regulator, air gauge and alternate air source.

5. Describe how to locate the air gauge, and explainhow to recognize the “caution zone” on it.

6. Don and adjust mask, fins, snorkel, BCD, scuba, andweights with the assistance of a buddy, instructor,or certified assistant.

7. While underwater, demonstrate and recognize thefollowing hand signals: Okay?/Okay!; Stop; Up;Down; Out of air; Come here; Ear problem; Slowdown/Take it easy; Something is wrong; Watch me;Check your air supply.

8. Inflate/deflate a BCD at the surface using the low-pressure inflator.

9. In shallow water, demonstrate proper compressedair breathing habits; remembering to breathe natu-rally and not hold the breath.

10. Clear the regulator while underwater using bothexhalation and purge-button methods and resumenormal breathing from it.

11. In shallow water, recover a regulator hose frombehind the shoulder while underwater.

12. In shallow water, clear a partially flooded maskwhile underwater.

13. Swim underwater with scuba equipment whilemaintaining control of both direction and depth,properly equalizing the ears and mask to accom-modate depth changes.

14. While underwater, locate and read submersible pres-sure gauge and signal whether the air supply is ade-quate or low based on the gauge’s caution zone.

15. In shallow water, breathe underwater for at least 30seconds from an alternate air source supplied by theinstructor.

16. Demonstrate the techniques for a proper ascent.

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Counselors for Scuba BSA must hold current scubainstructor certification from PADI, NAUI, SSI, or otherRSTC member organizations. Instruction must complywith RSTC standards for introductory scuba experiences.These minimum standards include instructor to partici-pant ratios. In a pool, the ratio is eight participants perinstructor. In a confined waterfront setting the ratio isfour participants per instructor. Ratios may be increasedby two participants if the instructor is assisted by some-one certified as a dive master or assistant instructor.

A second adult who understands the procedures shouldbe present in case the instructor becomes incapacitated.Two-deep adult leadership is also required by BSA youthprotection guidelines.

Before participants are allowed in the water, they mustcomplete a health history form designed for scuba activ-ities. Instructors should use standard forms advocated bytheir certifying agency.

Skill instruction must be conducted in clear, confinedwater. A swimming pool is recommended. Scuba BSA isideally suited to winter programs using indoor pools.Two 45-minute sessions are recommended for instruc-tion, practice, and completion of requirements.

Although Scuba BSA is similar to introductory scubaexperiences offered by various RSTC member organiza-tions, those programs are not substitutes for Scuba BSA.All requirements must be completed as stated on theapplication form. The counselor may not omit, vary, oradd requirements. In particular, Scuba BSA has a pre-requisite swimming requirement, is only available toyouth and adults registered in the Boy Scouting orVenturing programs (minimum age around 101⁄2), anddoes not include the option of an open-water dive.

Local council programs may not compress or sell air forscuba use, or sell, rent, or loan scuba equipment. All airand equipment for local council Scuba BSA programsmust be obtained from properly licensed sources, unaf-filiated with the Boy Scouts of America and under thesupervision of PADI, NAUI, SSI, or other RSTC-approvedand certified scuba instructors.

Individuals completing the Scuba BSA requirementsqualify for a recognition card and patch. The counseloror unit leader should submit the completed award appli-cation to the local council service center.

*The counselor for Scuba BSA must hold an instructor rating and be in current teaching status with PADI, NAUI,SSI or other member of the RSTC in accordance with BSA scuba policies. Instruction must meet the minimumtraining standards for introductory scuba experiences set by the RSTC and guidelines provided in the Scuba BSABrochure, No. 13-971. BSA scuba policies are provided in that brochure and also in the Guide to Safe Scouting.

INFORMATION FOR COUNSELORS

19-515© 2003 Boy Scouts of America2003 Printing

Boy Scouts of America1325 West Walnut Hill Lane

P.O. Box 152979Irving, Texas 75015-2079

www.scouting.org