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Table of Contents
How is the registration fee spent?Your registration fee is divided between three main groups within Scouts Canada.
Unfortunately, the registration fee does not cover the additional program expenses incurred during the year such as insurance, moorage and water safety; these require additional fund raising. As a parent/guardian, how can I help?We need your involvement in the fundraising activities. We have several fundraising events for the Group each year. We need volunteers who can plan the fundraisers as well as volunteers to assist the youth during the fundraising activity. There is a role for everyone. We hope you will have time for the fundraising; you get to meet some wonderful people with whom you already have something in common, you son or daughter. So come join in. If you have a special gift that you would like to share with the youth, don’t be shy – all the leaders are very eager to discuss new ideas. We encourage and seek your input to make the coming year memorable for everyone. Why am I required as a parent to provide an approved PFD for my child?Youth are constantly growing and proper fit of a personal floatation device is necessary to ensure their safety. How do you select and maintain a PFD?
1St Semiahmoo Sea Scout Group cautions that the information provided below is obtained from many sources including the Internet and is provided and believed accurate to the best of our knowledge. The Parent/Guardian is responsible for the final decision on the appropriate PFD selected for their youth and are strongly encouraged to complete their own investigation. In our comments, we have taken into consideration the age, experience and opportunity available to the youth in each section when recommending a PFD solution. We begin by recommending you visit the Office of Boating Safety website for the most accurate and updated information. Some of their important information is provided in the enclosed box. Open the PFD and look at the label -- check for the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans or Department of Transport approval. Inflatable PFDs are NOT approved for use by persons less than 16 years of age or weighing less than 36.3 kg. Pouch type PFDs are only permitted for rowing and paddling activities but NO inflatable is approved for use for white water activities. Lifejackets
come in only orange, red or yellow, offering greater buoyancy and the
ability to turn an unconscious person face-up in the water.
The following article explains the issue very well: Choosing a Life Preserverby Bryant Stamford, PhD A life preserver, also called a personal flotation device (PFD), is a vital sports accessory. According to the US Coast Guard, three of four people who have drowned while boating could have been saved by wearing a PFD. The main function of a PFD, of course, is to keep a person afloat, or buoyant - even with heavy clothes and gear. Its buoyancy also helps a stranded person save energy, because without a PFD a swimmer has to continually work to stay afloat. Some types also help keep a victim's face out of the water. A PFD's buoyancy is the amount of weight it can keep afloat. High buoyancy is over 20 pounds. This may sound low, but water provides lift, so the average adult needs only 7 to 12 pounds of buoyancy. Five Approved TypesBut higher buoyancy means a bulkier PFD, which may interfere with activity or be unnecessary in certain situations. Therefore, the US Coast Guard has approved five types. Type 1 is meant for offshore use - boating in a large body of water like an ocean. Accidents at sea may require prolonged flotation in rough water, and some victims may lose consciousness, which requires that the PFD hold the wearer face up. To fit the bill, a bulky PFD is required that provides a minimum adult buoyancy of 22 pounds. Because of the bulk, a type 1 PFD may be uncomfortable when worn out of the water. It's also not fashionable - which may explain its absence at cocktail parties. Fashion is not a major problem, though, because a type 1 PFD is usually used only in an emergency. Type 2 is a less bulky version of the type 1 PFD and is meant for near-shore use. This typically means relatively calm, inland water and potentially short immersion time. A type 2 PFD has less buoyancy (15.5 pound minimum), and is less effective at turning a person face up. The type 2, though, is more comfortable out of the water but still may be too bulky for continuous wear. Type 3 is called a flotation aid. It is more streamlined than types 1 and 2, but less effective. Designed for when a fast rescue is likely, it has a buoyancy of at least 15.5 pounds. The sleek fit offers greater comfort and mobility. Its most common styles are the classic vest and the floating coat. Type 4 is a throwable device, commonly called a lifesaver. Besides the familiar doughnut shape, it also comes in a horseshoe and a square cushion. A type 4 is considered to be only a backup measure and takes practice to throw well. For it to be effective, help must be near. Once the device is thrown, the victim has to be able to get to it, and therefore must be conscious and somewhat of a swimmer. Also, a throwable device is difficult to use in currents or high waves. Cushions have a higher buoyancy (18 pounds) than do rings (16.5 pounds). Type 5 is designed for specific purposes like boardsailing or whitewater activities. A type 5 must be worn only for its designated activity. Some type 5 PFDs are inflatable and offer great buoyancy when inflated (22 pounds) plus less bulk when deflated. Continuous wear is comfortable when the PFD is not inflated. Without inflation, though, buoyancy is markedly reduced (7.5 pounds). Also, the inflation chamber must be checked regularly. Fit to Be TriedA critical factor in selecting a PFD is fit. The law requires that each PFD be the appropriate size for each person on board. Once fit is ensured, put your name on the PFD. Never have a PFD altered to make it fit better. Trimming and tucking may interfere with its intended purpose. Adult: Your PFD should hug snugly without confining or riding up. A PFD that rides up in the water can plunge your face beneath the surface. Type 2 and 3 PFDs should fit comfortably enough for prolonged wear. The type 3 should allow full freedom of movement. Child: A child will likely not be aware of a poor fit, so adults must closely supervise. Look for a PFD appropriate for the child's weight. Even a child's PFD, though, can ride up dangerously high. Have the child put on the PFD, then lift him or her by the top of the PFD, or simply pull up on the shoulders. It should not ride up over the chin and ears. A crotch strap may be needed to help keep the PFD in place. Tried and Tested:To truly find out how well a new PFD performs, there's no substitute for a "road test" - try it in the water. Also test a tried and true PFD periodically, at least once a year. Enter shallow water, bend your knees, relax, put your head back, and keep your hands at your sides. Don't tread water or touch the bottom. If your chin is above water and you can breathe easily, your PFD is working well. (If a new PFD fails this test, return it!) If you might be using your PFD in rough or cold conditions, add heavy clothing and gear. Test for wear and tear annually And finally our recommendations:-Beavers: The little girls and guys grow like weeds. They may not be able to swim, and at this age will depend on the PFD keeping them face up out of the water. Available at local stores for about $30. Cubs: Still growing like weeds. They may have some swimming skills and now will be actively participating in canoe adventures. They will need a PFD that will be less restrictive when paddling. Available at local stores for about $30. Scouts/Venturers/Rovers: If you are lucky your youth will get a few years out of the PFD bought when they were in Cubs. Once they reach the weight of 95 pounds and become members of the Scout, Venturer or Rover sections they will have opportunities to kayak, canoe and sail. The cost for a good quality Kayaking PFD is about $90. Some stores will give a discount to Scouts that present their membership cards for purchase of this item. For those individuals seeking the ultimate solution in safety, comfort and fashion;- Mustang provides a very attractive bomber jacket. It is strongly recommended that the Mustang Bomber jacket and bib pant combination NOT be used. The bib pants will quickly upset the buoyancy benefit of the bomber jacket. Mustang offers the Integrity Series Coat – MC1525, which is a ¾ length coat that would allow you to sit in the cockpit on the sailboat without getting your seat wet. It is compulsory that all PFD’s / lifejackets, purchased after 1st December 1989 and carried in recreational craft, be fitted with retro-reflective tape. This is to help rescuers see people in the water at night. More detailed information may be found on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Office of Boating Safety: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/obs-bsn/sbg-gsn/pfd_e.htm FormsCommon forms:
Registering youth or leaders?Leaders, please contact your scouting section leader for information on preparing the required forms for activities and camps. Remember, forms must be approved by group committee before activity takes place.
Police Record Check Forms for prospective Adult Helpers or Leaders |