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Requirements April 1999 until January 2005

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while small-boat sailing, 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 feet first 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: side stroke, breast stroke, 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. Describe the boat you will be using for the sailing requirement, naming all of the major parts and the function of those parts.* Tell the difference between keel, centerboard, dagger board, bilgeboard, and leeboard. Explain the purpose of each.

5. Before going afloat do the following:

(a) Discuss the nine points of the BSA Safety Afloat plan.
(b) Discuss the rules of the road in general and specific rules or laws that apply to your area or state.
(c) Discuss with your counselor how the hazards of weather and heavy water conditions can affect both safety and performance in sailing.
(d) Prepare a typical float plan.

6. With the help of a buddy, show you can sail a boat properly by doing the following:

(a) Prepare the boat for sailing, include a safety inspection.
(b) Get under way from a dock, mooring, or beach.
(c) Properly set sails for a course that will include running, beating, and reaching_-the basic points of sailing.
(d) Change tack by coming about; by jibing.
(e) Anchor properly.
(f) Demonstrate the rescue of a man overboard and capsize procedures.+
(g) Demonstrate the procedure to use in the following: helping others, bad weather, running aground.
(h) Upon returning to your dock, mooring, or beach, properly secure all equipment, furl or stow sails, and prepare the craft for unattended docking, mooring, or beaching for overnight or longer.

7. Have a working knowledge of marlinspike seamanship and do the following:

(a) Show how to tie the square or reef knot, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, figure-eight knot, and mooring hitch. Demonstrate the use of each.
(b) Show how to heave a line, coil a line, fake down a line.
(c) Whip the ends of a line; tell why whippings are used.
(d) Discuss the kinds of lines used on sailboats and the types of fibers used in their manufacture. Tell the advantages and disadvantages of each.

8. Describe how you would care for and maintain a sailboat and its gear throughout the year.

9. With the counselor, review sailing terminology; include points of sailing. Discuss various types of sailboats in use today; tell their differences.

10. Give a short history of sailing in the United States, including its importance in the growth of our nation. Discuss commercial and recreational sailing, including racing and the America's Cup. This requirement may be completed in written or oral form.

Requirements January 2005 until January 2017

1. Do the following:

(a) Explain first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while small-boat sailing, including hypothermia, dehydration, heat reactions, motion sickness, cuts, scratches, abrasions, contusions, puncture wounds, and blisters.
(b) Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.

2. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.

3. Describe the boat you will be using for the sailing requirement naming all of the major parts and the function of those parts*

4. Before going afloat, do the following:

(a) Discuss the nine points of the BSA Safety Afloat plan.
(b) Explain the rule of the road in general and any specific rules or laws that apply to your area or state.
(c) Explain how water conditions, the hazards of weather, and heavy winds can affect both safety and performance in sailing.
(d) Discuss the warning signs of inclement weather and what to do should heavy winds develop or a storm approach.
(e) Prepare a tyical float plan.
(f) Discuss the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear required for small-boat sailing in warm weather and in cool weather. Explain how choosing the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear will help keep you comfortable and safe while sailing.

5. Discuss with your counselor how to identify the wind direction and wind indicators. Explain the importance of this task before setting sail.

6. Following the BSA Safety Afloat plan, show that you and a buddy can sail a boat properly. Do the following:

(a) Prepare a boat for sailing, including a safety inspection.
(b) Get underway from a dock, mooring, or bench.
(c) Properly set sails for a round-trip course approved by your counselor that will include running, beating, and reaching – the basic points of sail. While sailing, demonstrate good helmsmanship skills.
(d) Change direction by tacking: change direction by jibing.
(e) Demonstrate getting out of irons.
(f) Demonstrate the safety position.
(g) Demonstrate capsize procedures and the rescue of a person overboard.†

*The skills may be demonstrated on any boat available to the Scout; sailboards are not acceptable. While no specific sail plan is recommended, it is suggested that the craft be smaller than 20 feet. The boat must be capsizable and have the capability of sailing to windward.

†Capsize procedures should be conducted under close supervision of the counselor. A rescue boat should be standing by to assist, if necessary, and tow the capsized craft to shore. Sel-bailing are acceptable for this requirement. Extreme care should be taken to avoid personal injury and damage to the boat or equipment.