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Requirements September 1961 until June 1972

1. Review swimming safety precautions required for First Class Scout rank and explain how swimming should be conducted safely for a group such as a troop or family.

2. Swim 150 yards using the following strokes in good form: side stroke for 50 yards; elementary backstroke for 50 yards; and any one of the following strokes for the remaining 50 yards: overarm side, trudgen, trudgen crawl, American crawl, back crawl, or breast.

3. Surface dive head first into 6 feet of water and recover an object on the bottom. Repeat using feet first method.

4. In an approved diving area, demonstrate a plain front dive from a low board. Demonstrate a head-first dive from a dock or pier and a racing start.

5. In water 6 feet or more deep while dressed in cotton shirt and cotton trousers: (a) Inflate shirt and demonstrate floating technique using it. (b) Remove trousers, tie overhand knot in the bottom of each leg, inflate trousers, and float motionless for one minute using them for support.

6. Demonstrate the following elementary rescue methods: (a) Rescue a subject needing assistance within reaching distance, using either an arm or leg "reach" or a nearby object (branch, oar, or paddle) as a rescue implement. (b) Disrobe on shore, enter water feet first (jump or run) carrying outside shirt in teeth or hand, swim 30 feet, swing one end of shirt to the hands of presumably drowning person and tow him to shore.

7. Demonstrate survival swimming ability by doing all of the following: (a) Enter water without sound, swim silently for 50 feet (using breast stroke or dog paddle). Submerge quietly and swim three strokes underwater before quietly surfacing; leave the water without sound. (b) Float face up in a resting position, as nearly motionless as possible, for one minute. (c) Demonstrate floating face down in a relaxed position ("downproofing" or "bobbing jellyfish" float), using minimum movement of arms and legs to raise head for breathing and to keep body afloat for ten minutes or longer.

2nd class scout must first complete this 1st class requirements.

5. GO SWIMMING

SWIMMING*--Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim. Jump feet first into water over your head in depth. Swim 50 yards. During the swim, stop, make a sharp turn, level off and resume swimming.