The nine points
- 1. Qualified Supervision — an adult 21+ trained in Safety Afloat, 1 per 10 participants (Cub Scouts 1:5), with at least one leader trained in first aid including CPR.
- 2. Personal Health Review — a complete health history for every participant.
- 3. Swimming Ability — everyone has completed an annual swim test.
- 4. Life Jackets — a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket worn by everyone boating.
- 5. Buddy System — each member accounted for, especially in the water.
- 6. Skill Proficiency — everyone afloat has the knowledge and skill to participate safely.
- 7. Planning — weather and contingencies checked before the activity.
- 8. Equipment — craft that are suitable, seaworthy, and able to float if capsized.
- 9. Discipline — rules are only effective when they're followed.
Supervising adults must have completed Safety Afloat training within the previous two years. Parasailing, kite-surfing, and unit-level personal watercraft are not authorized.
How it works
- 1Before any boating, confirm all nine points — if any is missing, don't go afloat.
- 2Set trained supervision — an adult 21+ with current (≤2 yr) training, the correct ratio, and a CPR-trained leader present.
- 3Review health and swimming — health histories on hand; everyone has completed the annual swim test.
- 4Life jackets on — a USCG-approved, properly fitted life jacket worn by everyone in or near the boats.
- 5Check skills, plan, and gear — participants competent for the craft; weather checked; craft seaworthy and able to float if capsized.
- 6Pair buddies and brief rules — buddies assigned and accounted for; everyone knows and will follow the rules.
- 7Watch conditions — monitor weather and get off the water for storms or lightning.
When to use it
- Every Scout boating activity — canoeing, kayaking, rowing, rafting, sailing.
- Planning a paddle trip, waterfront boating, or a canoe/kayak merit badge.
- The safety foundation under canoeing, kayaking, rowing, and capsize self-rescue.
Common mistakes & safety
- All nine points, every time — no exceptions. Safety Afloat only works as a complete system; skipping a point is how boating tragedies happen.
- Everyone wears a properly fitted, USCG-approved life jacket. The single most important boating rule — most boating drowning victims weren't wearing one.
- The craft must float if it capsizes. Scouts should expect to capsize and know self-rescue; boats must stay afloat swamped.
- Swim test and skill first. Only people who've passed the annual swim test and have the skills go afloat; nonswimmers are strictly limited.
- Trained, CPR-ready supervision at the right ratio — 1 adult per 10 (Cub 1:5), with first-aid/CPR coverage and current training.
- Get off the water for weather — plan for it, and clear the water at the first sign of a storm.
Going deeper
- Safe Swim Defense is for swimming; Safety Afloat is for boating. Same idea, different activity — if you swim during a boating trip, both apply.
- Nine points, all or nothing. Every point must be met or the activity is off.
- Assume you'll capsize. Point 8 (craft float if capsized) and the swim test exist because tipping over is expected — everyone plans for going in the water.
Official source
Safety Afloat — Scouting America →This is life-safety policy — confirm the current numbers against the Guide to Safe Scouting before any boating.