SAFETY ALERT

January 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

from your Council Risk Management Committee

As we start the New Year we are sporting a new look. The "Safety Alert" with its distinctive Lynx masthead will be distributed at each Distract Roundtable throughout the year, and will feature a topic that is relevant to the current season or activity. If you have comments or a suggestion about a topic that could benefit everyone, please forward them to the email address above.

RESOLVED: 2007 Will be a "Scout Safe" Year

As your unit recharters, it is a good time to assess the training records of your leaders. A major factor attributing to the safety of your scouts, is that the leadership has the proper knowledge of how to plan safe activities AND how to respond when an incident occurs. How well does your unit measure up to the following standards?

Basic Training
• Every registered leader as well as anyone leading an activity must be Youth Protection Trained (YPT) within the past three years.
• All leaders should have, at a minimum, taken "Fast Start" and "New Leader Essentials"
• Recommended that all registered leaders take the position appropriate training.

Level II Training (required for Tour Permit approval for certain activities)
• Safe Swim Defense & Safety Afloat (swimming & boating activities)
• CPR (renewed yearly by ARC and every other year by Heart Assn.)
• Basic First Aid (American Red Cross every three years)
• Climb On Safely (BSA class for leaders of climbing activities)
• Trek Safely (for leaders of extended trips)

Advanced Programs
• Basic Backpack Awareness (OC Council High Adventure Team)
• Winter Backpacking (OC Council High Adventure Team)
• Woodbadge (management and leadership skills applied to scouting)
• Powderhorn (Venturing adult leader program planning)
• Other HAT programs (Desert Awareness, Wilderness First Aid, Cycling, Water Trekking, etc.) from other Councils

These courses are variously available at Roundtable meetings, in conjunction with merit badge activity days and summer camps, through Red Cross & Heart Assn, Council seminars and on-line (YPT, Fast Start & Safety Afloat/Safe Swim). Check the OCBSA web site under "Training" for up-coming dates & times.

Mail to the webmaster.