Swim Classification # 3

Tonight was the third and final planned troop swim classification event.  The pool was ready, the scouts were ready, the adults were ready.  We had four scouts and two adults complete the swim test. Since we had time to spare, a couple of the scouts had an aquatics requirement to complete for their first class rank.  We took the time, and I brought equipment that could be used to complete this requirement.

So we needed 3 scouts - and magically, we had 3 scouts.  One scout would play a victim in the water to be saved, another scout would be the rescuer, and would have something to throw to the victim. The third scout was to be a "tender" which is the guy that holds the end of the rope attached to the flotation device being thrown to the victim.

So, I demonstrated what was to happen, except I demonstrated what it would look like if you were alone trying to throw this thing to a victim who was in distress.  I stepped on the end of the rope so it wouldn't go flying when everything is thrown to the victim.  The demonstration worked pretty well. So I got the rescue flotation device past the victim, and used the rope to pull the device to the victim, and pull the victim back to "shore" (the side of the pool).

Next, it was time for the scouts to fulfill this requirement.  They figured out who would be the first victim who got into the water.  They figured out who would be the rescuer, and tender.  We asked the rescuer if they were left or right handed, made sure they were throwing to their strength, and that the tender was behind the rescuer and on the correct side so the rescuer would not be caught by the rope.

It was time.  What could go wrong?  What happened next I didn't see coming.  The rescuer threw the flotation device attached to the rope.  Apparently, we didn't have a count down because the tender let go of the rope and everything went out to the victim.  Fortunately, he swam well enough to bring back the flotation device and the rope, so we could try again.

Meanwhile, the parents watching, had a grand giggle about the whole thing, and since no one was in actual distress, it was pretty funny.  We backed up and tried again.  Once we got over the giggles, the boys got down to work, and saved each and every victim they had to save.  Turns out our rescuers had some game when it came to throwing the flotation device.  They all did well.

There was much accomplished tonight, I had to smile, it was a good day.