Scouts looking to earn their Eagle badge have to earn either the swimming, hiking or cycling badge in their quest. As Troop One is on an island where water is all around, the swimming merit badge is usually the one earned by its scouts. Such was the case on February 26 when seven of them earned that coveted badge at the Palolo Valley District Park swimming pool.
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The session started with learning the fundamentals of CPR using the ABC method: Airway, Breathing, and Chest compressions. Each scout practiced on a CPR dummy to better understand and perform this lifesaving skill.
Water safety was next discussed. The concepts of “Safe Swim” and “Safety Afloat” were learned.
After an hour of this classroom work, it was time to head for the pool. Following Scoutmaster Pang’s instructions, they put on their goggles and jumped into the pool. Next was a non-stop 25-yard swim using the four basic strokes.
This warm-up was followed by learning how to save a victim using a rope and a one-gallon jug, how to use a PFD (Personal Flotation Device), and how to survive in the water. One of these survival skills included learning how to remove a long sleeved shirt and long pants to create a flotation device. Some scouts entered the water so well dressed that we thought that they were planning to go to a concert or dine at a fine restaurant. Finally, they swam with a mask and snorkel for 50 yards.
All the scouts completed their Second and First Class swimming requirements and the Swimming Merit Badge; now they are all eligible to try for the Mile Swim badge.
Congratulations to the Troop 1 Scouts who earned their swimming badge that day. They’re in the swim of things now!
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Filed under: Swimming Tagged: | Badge Program, Boy Scout, Merit Badge, Swimming
