Lifesaving Merit Badge Requirements

 						
1.      Before doing requirements 2-14
        a)  Earn Swimming merit badge.
        b)  Swim 400 yards.
 
2.      Explain:
        a)  The Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat
        b)  The order of methods in water rescue.
 
3.      Show reaching rescues using such things as arms, 
        legs, branches, sticks, towels, shirts, paddles, 
        and poles.
 
4.      Show rescues using items that can be thrown, such 
        as lines, ring buoys, and free-floating supports.
 
5.      Show or explain the use of rowboats, canoes, and 
        other small craft in making rescues.
 
6.      With a helper and a subject, and a practice victim, 
        show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. 
        Perform the rescue with the practice victim 
        approximately thirty feet from the tender. Use a 
        100 foot length of 3/16 inch line.  If available, 
        demonstrate the use of a torpedo buoy and rescue 
        tube.
 
7.      Show that you can remove street clothes* on shore
        (except underwear or swim trunks) in 20 seconds or 
        less.  Explain the importance of disrobing before a 
        swimming rescue.
 
8.      Explain the importance of avoiding contact with 
        a victim; explain "lead" and "wait" tactics; 
        and explain why equipment should be used in a 
        swimming rescue.
 
9.      Swim 30 feet and make the correct approach to 
        a tired swimmer. Move him 30 feet to safety 
        using the following:
        a)  Underarm swim-along.
        b)  two-person assist.
 
10.     Make rescues on a practice victim 30 feet from 
        shore, using the correct entry and a strong 
        approach stroke, and bringing the victim back to 
        pier or poolside, using;
        a)  A rescue tube or torpedo buoy
        b)  A shirt, towel, or other equipment
        c)  A front approach and wrist tow.
        d)  A rear approach and single armpit tow.
        e)  A rear approach and single armpit tow, 
            changing to the cross-chest carry.

        Discuss the different methods for removing the 
        victim from the water. Choose the appropriate 
        method for your situation. Remove the practice 
        victim from the water and place in position for 
        resuscitation.
 
11.     Show in deep water your defense against grasps
        by blocking and escaping. Free yourself from a 
        wrist hold, rear head-hold, and a front head-hold.
 
12.     Make four surface dives in 8 to 10 feet of water.
        Retrieve an object on each of the first three dives.
        Bring up a 10-pound weight on the fourth dive.
 
13.     Show search techniques as a part of a lost 
        swimmer drill.  Discuss search techniques 
        using mask, fins, and a snorkel (not scuba).

14.     Do the following:
        a)  Explain how to recognize and confirm cardiac arrest.
        b)  Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR
            using a training device approved by your counselor.

15.     Demonstrate proper management of a spinal injury by     
        a)  Explaining the signs and symptoms of a spinal 
            injury
        b)  Supporting a faceup victim in calm, shallow water.
        c)  Turning a person from a facedown to a faceup
            position while maintaining support.
 
*    "Street clothes" means low shoes, socks, underwear (or
     trunks), pants, belt, and a long-sleeve shirt. A jacket
     or sweater or sweatshirt also may be worn.