Requirements December 1943 until June 1953

1. Swim 150 yards in good form using the following strokes for at least the distance specified: (a) side stroke--50 yards; (b) elementary back stroke (only)--50 yards; (c) breast stroke--50 yards.

2. Surface dive in 6 feet of water and recover object on bottom.

3. In water 6 feet or more deep, while dressed in cotton shirt and cotton trousers, remove trousers, tie overhand knot in the bottom of each leg, inflate trousers and float motionless for one minute using them for support; OR, while dressed as above, tread water, inflate shirt and float motionless for one minute.

4. Rest motionless in the water, or as nearly so as possible, at any angle, for one minute.

5. Enter water without sound, swim silently for 50 feet (with breast stroke or dog paddle), leave water without sound.

6. While swimming, submerge quickly (use both surface dive and feet first method), swim three strokes forward under water, return to the surface and at signal repeat three times.

7. Demonstrate a rescue in one of the following ways: (a) disrobe on shore, enter the 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 ashore;

OR

(b) Make rescue under same conditions as above, using instead of shirt, a pole, branch of tree, paddle or oar to shove to presumably drowning person.

Requirements June 1953 until January 1960

1. Swim 150 yards in good form using the following strokes for at least the distance specified: (a) side stroke--50 yards; (b) elementary backstroke (only)--50 yards; (c) breast stroke--50 yards.

2. Surface dive in 6 feet of water and recover object on bottom.

3. In water 6 feet or more deep, while dressed in cotton shirt and cotton trousers, remove trousers, tie overhand knot in the bottom of each leg, inflate trousers and float motionless for one minute using them for support. or While dressed as above, tread water, inflate shirt, and float motionless for one minute.

4. Rest motionless in the water, or as nearly so as possible, at any angle, for one minute.

5. Enter water without sound, swim silently for 50 feet (with breast stroke or dog paddle), leave water without sound.

6. While swimming, submerge quickly (use both surface dive and feet first method), swim three strokes forward under water, return to the surface, and at signal repeat three times.

7. Demonstrate a rescue in one of the following ways: (a) Disrobe on shore, enter the 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 ashore. or (b) Make rescue under same conditions as above, using instead of shirt, a pole, branch of tree, paddle, or oar to shove to presumably drowning person.

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+ A Second Class Scout must first qualify for First Class Scoutcraft Requirement 5 (see page 113).

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.