SUMMARY
Scouts and their parents expect all Scouting America activities to be conducted safely. To ensure the safety of participants, Scouting America expects leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the Scouting program.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This checklist is applicable to all squirt gun activities.
S = Supervision
This activity will be supervised by qualified and trustworthy leaders who set an example for safety.
- This activity is permitted for Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos, and Arrow of Light Cub Scouts, along with Scouts BSA members, Sea Scouts, and Venturers.
- Youth and adults are permitted to participate in this activity.
- Leaders must ensure that all participants are familiar with and understand the rules and regulations before beginning the game.
- There should be no physical contact between players.
A = Assessment
Activities are assessed for risks during planning. Leaders must review this document and ensure that risk avoidance or mitigation is incorporated into the activity.
- The playing area must be outdoors and inspected for any slip, trip, or fall hazards before beginning the game, and actions should be taken to mitigate any hazards.
- All sharp objects must be removed from the play area or modified to prevent any impalement hazard.
- Participants must respect individuals who are not participating in the activity.
- Leaders must make sure the area is secure and away from any vehicular traffic.
- A properly stocked first-aid kit and AED unit should be readily available and visible.
F = Fitness and Skill
Participants’ Annual Health and Medical Records are reviewed, and leaders have confirmed that prerequisite fitness and skill levels exist for participants to take part safely.
- Outdoor group activities may require moderate levels of running, skipping, hopping, and jumping.
- Scouts requiring mobility devices such as wheelchairs (motorized or manual) may have assistance as needed. The manufacturer’s manual must be reviewed for all electric wheelchairs to determine whether exposure to water could alter their function.
- The designated wheelchair assistant shall not participate in the game in any capacity other than pushing the participant’s wheelchair.
E = Equipment and Environment
Safe and appropriately sized equipment, courses, campsites, trails, or playing fields are used properly. Leaders periodically check gear use and the environment for changing conditions that could affect safety.
- Participants must use clean, potable water, except in water gun painting games where participants use skin-safe dyes or paints and are not squirting other people.
- Participants are not allowed to aim directly at the face or head.
- Participants must wear eyewear (e.g., prescription glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, safety goggles, or swim goggles).
- Participants can choose to wear disposable ponchos and anti-slip shoes during the activity.
- The types of squirt guns permitted are squeezing bulbs, non-motorized pistons, syringe/pistons, pump shaft, and guns with spring-activated (piston) triggers. Any guns that store pressure are prohibited.
- Air-pressurized reservoir, air separate pressure/firing chamber, motorized small piston (e.g. battery powered), air or compressed gas such as CO2-based separate chamber squirt or water guns, such as super soaker style water guns are not permitted.
- All leaders are responsible for checking weather conditions. Leaders and participants are responsible for keeping the playing area clean.
