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Requirements September 1995 until January 2005

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while canoeing, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.

2. Do the following:

(a) Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
(b) Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.

3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards or 75 meters in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards or 25 meters using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards or 100 meters must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating as motionless as possible.

4. Do the following:

(a) Name and point out the major parts of a canoe and paddle.
(b) Know canoeing terminology.
(c) Explain and demonstrate canoe kneeling and sitting positions and the proper use for each position.
(d) Review and discuss BSA Safety Afloat, and demonstrate the proper fit and use of personal flotation devices (PFDs)
(e) Demonstrate how to load and secure equipment in a canoe.

5. With a companion and using a properly equipped canoe:

(a) Properly carry, launch, and get into the bow of the canoe from dock or shore (both, if possible).
(b) Paddle 100 yards on one side only in the bow position using a single-blade paddle.  Turn underway and return to shore or dock showing proper form and use of the bow or power stroke, diagonal draw, and quarter sweep.  Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(c) While paddling on one side only in the bow position, demonstrate how to hold water and stop.  Show proper form and use of the push away, pullover, reverse sweep, and backwater.  Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(d) Change places with your companion while canoe is afloat.
(e) Paddle 100 yards on one side only in the stern position.  Turn underway and return to shore or dock while maintaining course and giving proper signals to your companion.  Show proper form and use of the stern power stroke (the J stroke).  Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(f) While paddling on one side only in the stern position, demonstrate how to hold water and stop.  Show proper form and use of the push away, pullover, reverse sweep, and backstroke.  Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(g) As bow paddler, make a proper landing and get out of the canoe while following directions from your companion.  Repeat in the stern position giving directions to your companion. 
(h) Store canoe properly.

6. While on deep water with a companion, fully dressed and wearing proper PFD:

(a) Jump safely out of the canoe.  Get back in without capsizing.
(b) Capsize the canoe, get back in, secure all loose gear, and paddle the swamped canoe 25 yards.  Go overboard from the swamped canoe and swim, tow, or push the swamped canoe 50 feet.
(c) Empty the swamped canoe in shallow water.

7. Demonstrate solo canoe handling:

(a) Launch from shore or pier (both, if possible).
(b) Using a single-blade paddle and paddling only on one side, demonstrate proper form and use of the forward stroke (J stroke), forward and reverse sweeps, backwater, stop, pullover, push away, inside and outside pivots, and sculling.  Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(c) While paddling on one side only, paddle a 50-yard course making at least one turn underway and one reverse of direction.  Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(d) Make a proper landing at dock or shore (both, if possible). Store canoe properly (with assistance, if needed).

8. While alone in a canoe or on deep water and wearing PFD, jump safely out of the canoe. Get back in without capsizing.

9. With a companion in your canoe and while giving instructions to persons who have capsized a canoe in deep water, empty the swamped canoe over your own canoe and assist the persons in re-boarding the emptied canoe.

10. Discuss:

(a) General care and maintenance of canoeing equipment
(b) How to rig a canoe for sailing
(c) The differences between river (moving water) canoeing and lake (flatwater) canoeing.

Requirements January 2005 until January 2015

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while canoeing, including hypothermia, heat reactions, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, and blisters.

2. Do the following:

(a) Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
(b) Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.

3. Before doing the following requirements, 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.

4. Discuss the following:

(a) The BSA Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to canoeing activities.
(b) The most common weather and water-related hazards encountered while canoeing and how to deal safely with each one.

5. Do the following:

(a) Name and point out the major parts of a canoe.
(b) Describe how the length and shape of a canoe affect its performance.
(c) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials used to make canoes.
(d) Name and point out the parts of a paddle. Explain the difference between a straight and bent-shaft paddle and when each is best used.
(e) Demonstrate how to correctly size a paddle for a paddler in a sitting position and a kneeling position.
(f) Name the different types of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and explain when each type should be used.
(g) Show how to properly fit and test a PFD of correct size.
(h) Discuss the general care and maintenance of canoeing equipment.
(i) Discuss what personal and group equipment would be appropriate for a canoe camping trip. Describe how personal and group equipment can be packed and protected from water.
(j) Demonstrate how to load and secure equipment in a canoe.
(k) Using appropriate knots, demonstrate how to secure a canoe to a rack on land, a vehicle, or a canoe trailer.

6. With a companion, wearing the proper PFD and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, use a properly equipped canoe to demonstrate the following:

(a) Safely carry and launch the canoe from a dock or shore (both, if possible)
(b) Safely land the canoe on a dock or shore (both, if possible) and return it to its proper storage location.
(c) Demonstrate kneeling and sitting positions in a canoe and explain the proper use for each position.
(d) Change places while afloat in the canoe.
(e) In deep water, exit the canoe and get back in without capsizing.
(f) Capsize the canoe and demonstrate how staying with a capsized canoe will support both paddlers.
(g) Swim, tow, or push a swamped canoe 50 feet to shallow water. In the shallow water, empty the swamped canoe and reenter it.
(h) In deep water, rescue a swamped canoe and its paddlers by emptying the swamped canoe and helping the paddlers safely reenter their boat without capsizing.

7. With a companion, wearing the proper PFD and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, demonstrate the following paddling strokes as both a bow and stern paddler:

(a) Forward stroke
(b) Backstroke
(c) Draw
(d) Pushaway
(e) Forward sweep
(f) Reverse or back sweep
For stern paddling only:
(g) J-stroke

8. Using the strokes in requirement 7, demonstrate the following tandem maneuvers while paddling on opposite sides and without changing sides. Repeat after switching positions and paddling sides:

(a) Pivot or spin the canoe in either direction.
(b) Move the canoe sideways or abeam in either direction.
(c) Stop the canoe.
(d) Move the canoe in a straight line for 50 yards.

9. Wearing the proper PDF and appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, demonstrate solo canoe handling:

(a) Launch from shore or a pier (both, if possible)
(b) Using a single-blade paddle and paddling on one side, demonstrate proper form and use of the forward stroke, backstroke, draw stroke, pushaway stroke, forward sweep, reverse or back sweep, and J-stroke. Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(c) While paddling on one side only, paddle a 50-yard course making at least one turn underway and one reverse of direction. Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(d) Make a proper landing at a dock or shore (both, if possible). Store canoe properly (with assistance, if needed).
(e) In deep water, exit the canoe and then get back in without capsizing.

10. Discuss the following types of canoeing:

(a) Olympic flatwater
(b) Outrigger
(c) Marathon
(d) Freestyle
(e) Whitewater
(f) Canoe poling