Study guides · Stuff Every Swim Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Swimming merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Swim Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: Safe Swim Defense guidelines
Safe Swim Defense guidelines cover common drowning situations and how to deal with them.
Groan of the day: Reviewing safety guidelines is a good way to stay in the swim of things.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Unfenced residential pools
Unfenced residential pools are listed among common drowning situations to anticipate.
Groan of the day: A pool without a fence is a boundary issue.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Nonswimmers entering deep water
Nonswimmers entering deep water is a listed drowning situation to anticipate and deal with.
Groan of the day: Deep water is no place for a shallow plan.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Rip currents
Rip currents are listed among common drowning situations in Safe Swim Defense.
Groan of the day: A rip current can really pull you away from your plans.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Hypothermia
Hypothermia is among health concerns to discuss for prevention and treatment while swimming.
Groan of the day: Hypothermia is a chilling subject.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is listed among health concerns to prevent and treat while swimming.
Groan of the day: Heat exhaustion can really take the steam out of you.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Spinal injury
Spinal injury is listed among health concerns to prevent and treat while swimming.
Groan of the day: Protect your spine and you'll be fine.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Stings and bites
Stings and bites are among health concerns to prevent and treat while swimming.
Groan of the day: Stings and bites can bug your swim.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Cuts and scrapes
Cuts and scrapes are listed among health concerns to prevent and treat while swimming.
Groan of the day: A scrape is just a small setback.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation is listed among health concerns to prevent and treat while swimming.
Groan of the day: Hyperventilation is a lot of hot air.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Muscle cramps
Muscle cramps are among health concerns to prevent and treat while swimming.
Groan of the day: A cramp can cramp your style.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Front crawl or trudgen
The requirement asks for the front crawl or trudgen with good form.
Groan of the day: Crawl before you walk, at least in the pool.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Back crawl
The back crawl must be demonstrated with good form.
Groan of the day: Back crawl keeps you moving backward and forward.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Sidestroke
The sidestroke is demonstrated with good form.
Groan of the day: Sidestroke is a side hustle in the water.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Breaststroke
The breaststroke is demonstrated with good form.
Groan of the day: Breaststroke keeps you chest and center.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Elementary backstroke
The elementary backstroke is demonstrated with good form.
Groan of the day: Elementary backstroke is basic but not basic.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: 150 yards
The continuous swim is 150 yards using each listed stroke in any order.
Groan of the day: 150 yards is a long story with a good stroke.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: 50 yards
The continuous swim includes 50 yards of elementary backstroke.
Groan of the day: Fifty yards of backstroke is a back-to-back effort.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: 25 yards
The continuous swim includes 25 yards of front crawl or trudgen.
Groan of the day: Twenty-five yards is a short crawl to a big goal.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Reaching with your arm or leg
Reaching with your arm or leg is a demonstrated water rescue method.
Groan of the day: Reach out and help someone in.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Reaching with a suitable object
Reaching with a suitable object is a demonstrated rescue method.
Groan of the day: The right tool can reach the right person.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Throwing lines and objects
Throwing lines and objects is a demonstrated rescue method.
Groan of the day: Throw a line, not a fit.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: It keeps the rescuer safer
Reaching or throwing rescues are safer than swimming rescues when possible.
Groan of the day: Don't dive into trouble when a reach will do.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: To avoid being grabbed or pulled under
A rescue swimmer avoids contact to prevent the victim from grabbing or pulling them under.
Groan of the day: Keep your distance to keep your balance.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: About 30 feet
The practice victim should be about 30 feet from shore in deep water.
Groan of the day: Thirty feet is a long line to hold.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: At least three minutes
The requirement is to float faceup in a resting position for at least three minutes.
Groan of the day: Float like a leaf and rest easy.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: At least five minutes
Survival floating must be demonstrated for at least five minutes.
Groan of the day: Survival floating is a float you can count on.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: HELP and huddle
The HELP and huddle positions are demonstrated in a properly fitted life jacket.
Groan of the day: HELP is a position, not just a word.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: It moves water past the body and speeds heat loss
Swimming or floating in cold water hastens hypothermia by increasing heat loss.
Groan of the day: Cold water and movement make a chilling combo.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Feetfirst surface dive
The feetfirst method of surface diving is used to bring an object up from the bottom.
Groan of the day: Feetfirst is a step in the right direction.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Pike or tuck
The headfirst surface dive can be done as a pike or tuck.
Groan of the day: Pike or tuck, either way you dive in.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Three strokes
The requirement is to swim underwater for three strokes after the dive.
Groan of the day: Three strokes and you're on a roll.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Twice
The sequence is repeated twice after the first dive.
Groan of the day: Twice is nice for a dive sequence.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: At least 7 feet
The standing headfirst dive is shown in water at least 7 feet deep.
Groan of the day: Seven feet deep is no shallow dive.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Abide by that mandate
Local rules requiring greater depth must be followed.
Groan of the day: Follow the rule, not the fool.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Standing headfirst dive and long shallow dive
A standing headfirst dive and a long shallow dive are shown from a dock or pool deck.
Groan of the day: Two dives are better than one splash.
Sources: Scouting America: Swimming
Short answer: Water supports the body and reduces joint stress
Water supports body weight, making swimming low impact and easier on joints.
Groan of the day: Swimming is easy on the joints and hard on the excuses.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Strengthened cardiovascular health
Swimming offers health benefits such as strengthened cardiovascular health.
Groan of the day: A strong heart is a good start.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Front crawl
The front crawl, also called freestyle, is widely regarded as the fastest main stroke.
Groan of the day: Freestyle is fast style.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Sidestroke
The sidestroke is still used in lifesaving and recreational swimming.
Groan of the day: Sidestroke is a sidekick in the water.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Conserve energy and stay afloat longer
Survival backstroke is designed to conserve energy and allow a swimmer to stay afloat longer.
Groan of the day: Survival backstroke is a float with a plan.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Certified lifeguards
Swimmers should ensure certified lifeguards are present to prioritize safety.
Groan of the day: A lifeguard is a guard for your life.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Swimming with a buddy
Swimming with a buddy and knowing how to respond to emergencies are essential safety skills.
Groan of the day: A buddy makes the swim less lonely and more safe.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Signs of distress
Lifeguards stay alert for signs of distress to help prevent drowning.
Groan of the day: A lifeguard has a pool job because they watch the pool.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: About 0.98
The body's relative density of about 0.98 is less than water, so it tends to float.
Groan of the day: At 0.98 you are less dense, so floating is no big deal.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Higher body fat and saltier water
Higher body fat and saltier water both lower relative density and increase buoyancy.
Groan of the day: Salt water is very supportive; it really backs you up.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Lower center of gravity and more muscle
Males tend to have a lower center of gravity and higher muscle content, which makes floating harder.
Groan of the day: Floating is not a level playing field for everyone.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: A horizontal position in the water
A horizontal water position reduces drag and helps swimmers move more efficiently.
Groan of the day: Stay horizontal and you will get along swimmingly with the water.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: Reduces the body's breadth in the water
Rolling the body reduces its breadth in the water, which lowers resistance.
Groan of the day: A little roll helps you roll through the water.
Sources: Swimming
Short answer: To reduce wave resistance
Extending the arms as far as possible helps reduce wave resistance.
Groan of the day: Reach far and you will go far.
Sources: Swimming
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Safe Swim Defense guidelines. Safe Swim Defense guidelines cover common drowning situations and how to deal with them.
Muscle cramps. Muscle cramps are among health concerns to prevent and treat while swimming.
Reaching with a suitable object. Reaching with a suitable object is a demonstrated rescue method.
Pike or tuck. The headfirst surface dive can be done as a pike or tuck.
Conserve energy and stay afloat longer. Survival backstroke is designed to conserve energy and allow a swimmer to stay afloat longer.
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