[Troop139] Kayaking Merit Badge -This Sunday AM

[J.Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT]

Hi Folks
Eagle Scout Karl Schubert has arranged for a Kayaking Merit Badge Course
this Sunday at the Eastern Mountain Sports Outdoor Discovery School at
Moncksville reservoir off of Interstate 287.

 

The $20 cost per Scout will be paid by the Troop, but the Scout must sign up
tomorrow night and be a BSA Swimmer to participate.

 

Time: 10:00-11:30

Number of spots:14

 

The ODS (Outdoor Discovery School) lead, Brian, is the person who Karl
contacted to set up this course.  

Enclosed below are the requirements.  We will go over them with everyone,
tomorrow evening at the Troop meeting.

The in-water requirements will be done on Sunday.

 

 

Thanks & 73,

Gordon Beattie, W2TTT

201.314.6964

 

Kayaking Merit Badge

 

 Do the following: (All of this can be completed during a troop meeting)

a.                                                       Explain to your
counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in
kayaking activities, including weather and water-related hazards, and what
you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these
hazards.

Review prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment for the following
injuries or illnesses that can occur while kayaking: blisters, cold-water
shock and hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, sunburn,
sprains, and strains.

b.                                                       

c.                                                       Review the BSA
Safety Afloat policy. Explain to your counselor how this applies to kayaking
activities.

2.                               

3.                              Before doing requirements 3 through 8,
successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feetfirst into water over
the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one
or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or
crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards
must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one
sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.  (Do not worry
about this they just got back from summer camp and should have already
completed this)

4.                               

5.                              Do the following:

a.                                                       Review the
characteristics of life jackets most appropriate for kayaking and why one
must always be worn while paddling. Then demonstrate how to select and fit a
life jacket for kayaking.

Review the importance of safety equipment such as a signal device, air
flotation bags, extra paddle, sponge, bilge pump, rescue sling, and throw
bag.

4.                               

5.                              Do the following: (Can be done at a troop
meeting)

a.                                                       Name and point out
the major parts of a kayak.

b.                                                      Review the
differences in the design between recreational, whitewater, and sea or
touring kayaks. Include how length, width, stability, and rocker are
involved in the design of each type.

c.                                                       Review the
advantages and disadvantages of the materials most commonly used to make
kayaks. Explain the care, maintenance, and storage of a kayak.

d.                                                      Using the trucker's
hitch and bowline, demonstrate how to secure a kayak to a rack on a vehicle
or a trailer, or to a rack on land.

5.                               

6.                              Discuss the following: (This would be taught
in the course anyway)

a.                                                       How to choose a
kayak paddle

b.                                                      The different
materials from which paddles are made, parts of a paddle, and the care and
maintenance of a paddle

6.                               

7.                              Using a properly equipped kayak with an open
cockpit, a sit-on-top, or an inflatable kayak, do the following:

a.                                                       Safely capsize and
perform a wet exit.

b.                                                      Reenter the kayak
with assistance from a buddy boat.

c.                                                       Demonstrate a
kayak-over-kayak rescue.

d.                                                      Demonstrate the HELP
position.

e.                                                       Capsize the kayak,
swim it, and then paddle to shore, and empty water from the kayak with
assistance if needed.

7.                               

8.                              As a solo paddler, use a properly equipped
kayak to demonstrate the following:

a.                                                       Forward stroke

b.                                                      Backstroke

c.                                                       Forward sweep

d.                                                      Reverse sweep

e.                                                        Draw stroke

f.                                                         Stern draw

8.                               

9.                              As a solo paddler, use a properly equipped
kayak to demonstrate the following:

a.                                                       Paddle a straight
line for 25 yards, make a sharp turn, and return 25 yards in a straight
line.

b.                                                      Spin or pivot 360
degrees to the right and 360 degrees to the left.

c.                                                       Move abeam to the
right 10 feet and to the left 10 feet.

d.                                                      Stop the boat in one
boat length.

e.                                                       Paddle a buoyed
course of a length determined by your counselor that includes two right and
two left turns  performed while underway.