arrowHOMETroop 97High Adventure—BSA Safety Plans

BSA Safety Plans for Various Scouting Activities

(more detailed information in BSA "Guide to Safe Scouting")

General Requirements for All High Adventure Activities

  1. Two-deep leadership (minimum of 2 adults, at least one over age 21; all adults must be BSA registered and have current BSA Youth Protection Training, which is available online)
  2. Safety rule of four (no fewer than 4 individuals, including at least 2 adults, on any backcountry trip—if an accident occurs, one stays with the injured person, and two go for help)
  3. Separate male/female & adult/child tenting
  4. If a female Scout is on the activity, there must be at least one BSA registered adult female over age 21 in her crew

"The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety"

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Physical Fitness
  3. Buddy System
  4. Safe Area or Course
  5. Equipment Selection and Maintenance
  6. Personal Safety Equipment
  7. Safety Procedures and Policies
  8. Skill Level Limits
  9. Weather Check
  10. Planning
  11. Communications
  12. Plans and Notices
  13. First Aid Resources
  14. Applicable Laws
  15. CPR Resource
  16. Discipline

Trek Safely
(2-sheet oversize flyer, BSA #430-125)

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Keep Fit
  3. Plan Ahead
  4. Gear Up
  5. Communicate Clearly and Completely
  6. Monitor Conditions
  7. Discipline

Water Activities

Safe Swim Defense

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Personal Health Review
  3. Safe Area
  4. Response Personnel
  5. Lookout
  6. Ability Groups
  7. Buddy System
  8. Discipline

Safety Afloat

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Personal Health Review
  3. Swimming Ability
  4. Life Jackets
  5. Buddy System
  6. Skill Proficiency
  7. Planning
  8. Equipment
  9. Discipline

Kayaking Safety

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Physical Fitness
  3. Swimming Abiity
  4. Personal Flotation Equipment
  5. Buddy System
  6. Skill Proficiency
  7. Planning
  8. Equipment
  9. Discipline

Scuba Safety

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Personal Health Review
  3. Safe Area
  4. Emergency Preparedness
  5. Ability
  6. Buddy System
  7. Communication
  8. Equipment
  9. Buoyancy Control
  10. Understanding Pressure
  11. Discipline

Snorkeling Safety

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Physical Fitness
  3. Safe Area
  4. Proper Equipment
  5. Lifeguards/Lookout
  6. Ability
  7. Buddy System
  8. Discipline

Whitewater Safety
Follow Safety Afloat; there is additional
information in the Guide to Safe Scouting,
including the American Whitewater Affiliation
(AWA) Safety Code.

Other Activities

See the Guide to Safe Scouting

Bike Safety

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Physical Fitness
  3. Helmets and Clothing
  4. Buddy System
  5. Position in Traffic
  6. Safety Rules
  7. Turns and Intersections
  8. Equipment
  9. Bicycle Accessories
  10. Maintenance
  11. Racing
  12. Planning
  13. Discipline

Climb on Safely

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Qualified Instructors
  3. Physical Fitness
  4. Safe Area
  5. Equipment
  6. Planning
  7. Environmental Conditions
  8. Discipline

Winter Camping Safety

  1. Qualified Supervision
  2. Equipment
  3. Physical Fitness
  4. Buddy System
  5. Planning
  6. Safe Area
  7. Weather Check
  8. Burning (no flames in tents or snow shelters)
  9. Discipline

BSA Outdoor Ethics & Leave No Trace Information

[link to BSA Outdoor Ethics & Leave No Trace Information]

This page on the BSA website includes official information about the Outdoor Code, Leave No Trace, Tread Lightly, and the Land Ethic.


Last Revision to This Page: 15 December 2021
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