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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/scout-nonswimmer-area-depth

In Safe Swim Defense, how deep should the nonswimmer area be?

No more than waist to chest deep, with physical boundaries.

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  1. Just over the head
  2. Up to 12 feet
  3. No more than waist to chest deep ✔

Why: Nonswimmers need to be able to stand up anywhere in their area. It should be waist to chest deep and fenced in by shore, a pier or lines.

Huh, didn't know that: The beginner area may go just over the head, and the swimmer area may reach 12 feet in clear water.

The dad joke
Why did the nonswimmer bring a ladder to the lake? To stay on the shallow side of things.
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References

Answer: No more than waist to chest deep. Nonswimmers need to be able to stand up anywhere in their area. It should be waist to chest deep and fenced in by shore, a pier or lines.

  1. Aquatics Supervision, Scouting America filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Outdoor%20Program/Aquatics/pdf/Aquatics_34346.pdf
    The nonswimmer area should be no more than waist to chest deep and should be enclosed by physical boundaries
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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