Robert Baden-Powell said, “Be Prepared … the meaning of the motto is that a Scout must prepare himself by previous thinking-out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.”
Leaders must follow Scouting safety procedures to ensure that all participants can learn, grow, and have fun. Leaders who follow safety best practices embody the Scout Motto and give the community confidence that Scouting is a good investment.
Why are Safety Requirements and Reporting important to Scouting?
- Preparing and planning before an activity is the key to a successful event and avoiding problems and potential injuries.
- Being ready to act in an emergency helps to enable a good outcome.
- Identifying and communicating new risks enables the council to improve its programs over time.
- A good safety track record can help reduce insurance rates, which means more funds are available for Scouting activities.
For questions on how to use this guide, or help during an emergency, contact your district or council Commissioner or Scout Executive. If immediate assistance is needed in the handling of a sexual abuse allegation, contact Scouts First Helpline (1-844-SCOUTS1).
Before the Activity – Preparedness
Activity Planning & Risk Assessment
This table contains guidance on how to build safety into activities from the start and avoid problems.
| What | Why | When | Where | Who | How (Links) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scouting Activities Covered in Guide to Safe Scouting | Understand and comply with details of approved activities to ensure success & safety. |
During the activity planning phase (aquatics, camping, sports, climbing, shooting, etc.). |
For any Scouting event or activity |
Leader, Scouts |
Review and comply with requirements listed for specific activities planned. |
| Program Hazard Analysis | Systematically identify, assess, and resolve hazards to reduce injury risk. | For new activities, or activities with modifications/ expansions, or for newly recognized hazards. |
Primarily for camp or high-adventure bases, but applies to any Scouting event or activity. |
Council or District Program Leaders. Unit leaders are optional. |
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SAFE Supervision Assessment Fitness & Skills Equipment & Environment |
Ensure participant safety to make for a successful event. | Before starting any planned activity – including execution of projects, use of tools/ equipment, and transportation. | For any Scouting event or activity. |
Leader, Scouts |
Review the SAFE checklist and supplemental documents for compliance |
| Safety Moments | Raise safety awareness & promote a safety culture. | As a part of all regular Scouting meetings, and when preparing for an activity | For any Scouting event or activity. |
Leader, Scouts |
Search for the appropriate topic, review and ensure risks are mitigated |
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Safety Pause Pause Assess Understand Share Execute |
A last opportunity to reflect and take necessary precautions to prevent problems. |
Just before starting the activity. |
For any Scouting event or activity. |
Leader, Scouts |
“Assess” should also include identifying/ knowing what to do if something goes wrong (as part of being prepared). |
Training & Awareness
This table contains guidance on training and awareness of safety concerns during activities to avoid potential problems. Training also offers an opportunity for continuous improvement of skills.
| What | Why | When | Where | Who | How (Links) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health & Safety Training | Be able to properly execute various activities (aquatics, climbing, boating, use of tools, hiking, etc.) to ensure safety and successful completion. | Training completed before requesting approval to participate in an activity. | For any Scouting event or activity. |
Leader, Scouts |
You can also access training via My.Scouting.org/ My Training/ Expanded Learning/ Program Safety
Call 911 if needed |
| Youth Protection Training | Be able to identify violations of Youth Protection policies during Scouting activities. | Mandatory training is required for approval as a Scouting volunteer. | For any Scouting event or activity. |
Leader, Scouts |
For immediate assistance, contact the Scout Executive or the Scouts First Helpline at 1-844-SCOUTS1 (1-844-726-8871) for assistance. |
| Forms, Guidelines, and Checklists | General awareness to ensure that appropriate documentation, plans, and skills are in place. | Forms, assessments, and training completed prior to participation in any activity. | For any Scouting event or activity. |
Parent, Leader, Scouts |
Scouting Safety Resources – Key Topics:
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During the Activity – Ready to Act
Skilled in First Aid
This table contains guidance for Scouting leaders on how to be prepared to respond appropriately when necessary.
“A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens.” – Robert Baden-Powell
| What | Why | When | Where | Who | How (Links) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Aid, CPR, AED | Be prepared to help immediately in case of an accident or medical emergency | Training completed ahead of activity; deployed during activity | For any Scouting event or activity. |
Leader, Scouts |
Ensure that trained personnel are available at all times during the activity. Medical Information and First Aid Training Call 911 if needed. |
| Wilderness First Aid | Be prepared to help immediately in case of an accident or medical emergency when transportation is not readily available. | Training completed ahead of activity; deployed during activity | For any Scouting event or activity. |
Leader, Scouts |
Ensure that trained personnel are available at all times during the activity. Call 911 if needed. |
After the Activity – Continuous Improvement
Incident Reporting
Reporting leads to corrective actions that help prevent others from being harmed in the future.
Anyone in Scouting can report incidents, near-misses, or youth protection infractions.
By doing so, you are living the Scout Oath and Law and providing a good example for Scouters of all ages.
Great Falls Council Training on Reporting – Link to Document
Incident Reporting Tools/ Forms are under “Resources for Units” at Incident Reporting
| What | Why | When | Where | Who | How (Links) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Aid &/or Property Damage Reporting | To identify potential corrective actions to prevent potential future incidents and enable insurance claims. | After an event that causes injury, illness, or property damage during Scouting activities or on council-owned properties that requires the intervention of a medical provider beyond basic Scout-rendered first aid. | For any Scouting event or activity | Anyone |
If serious, immediately call 911 and/or law enforcement. Notify the Scout Executive (If needed, call Scouts First Helpline at 1-844-SCOUTS1). Preserve and document evidence and take photos if appropriate. Scout Executive to enter report into Riskonnect: Serious: Within 24 hrs. Less serious: Within 72 hrs. Scout Executive to also notify the appropriate National Scouting executives for Serious Incidents. |
| Near Miss Reporting | To identify corrective actions to prevent potential future incidents, even if an injury did not occur. | After an event that did not result in injury, illness or damage but, under slightly different circumstances, had the potential to do so. | For any Scouting event or activity | Anyone |
Notify the Scout Executive who will submit a report in Riskonnect within 72 hrs. Preserve and document evidence and take photos if appropriate. |
| Youth Protection Infraction (YPT) Reporting | To identify corrective actions to prevent potential future infractions. |
Mandatory for any occurrence of abuse, violations of BSA guidelines or policies, or inappropriate behavior by a Scout/Scout leader/parent/other. |
For any Scouting event or activity |
Anyone
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Any incident of child abuse must be reported immediately to law enforcement or child protective services, and the Scout Executive. If needed, contact Scouts First Helpline at 1-844-SCOUTS1 (1-844-726-8871). Scout Executive entry into Riskonnect within 24 hrs. For other YPT infractions: Notify the Scout Executive who will enter into Riskonnect within 72 hrs. |