Scuba Diving

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Resources include the Scuba Diving merit badge worksheet , links, and cross-references to related badges and awards.  ◀Prev  -  Next ▶ 

Scuba Diving merit badge
	Status:	Elective
	Created:	2009
	Discontinued:	no
	BSA Advancement ID:
	Requirements revision:	2009
	Latest pamphlet revision:	2009

Contents 1 Scuba Diving requirements 2 Notes 3 Requirement resources 4 Related Ranks, Awards, and Merit Badges 5 See also 6 External links

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This is the "Scuba Diving" merit badge. See also: the "Scuba BSA" award.

The Scuba Diving merit badge is not itself a diver certification.

Scuba Diving requirements

Do the following: a.Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while scuba diving, including hypothermia, hyperventilation, squeezes, decompression illness, nitrogen narcosis, motion sickness, fatigue, overexertion, heat reactions, dehydration, injuries by aquatic life, and cuts and scrapes. b.Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor. Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the Swimming merit badge. Discuss the Scuba Diver’s Code with your merit badge counselor, and explain the importance of each guideline to a scuba diver’s safety. Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy. Explain what an ecosystem is, and describe four aquatic ecosystems a diver might experience. Find out about three career opportunities in the scuba industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you. The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2014 Edition (BSA Supply No. 33216 - SKU# 619576) The text of these requirements is locked and can only be edited by an administrator. Please note any errors found in the above requirements on this article's Talk Page.

Notes

Attention! See 'Note to the Counselor' and 'Start Earning Your Scuba Diving Merit Badge Online Today!'

A FREE workbook for Scuba Diving is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Scuba Diving requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

1. Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
2. "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

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The Boy Scouts of America is not a dive certification agency. Your merit badge counselor can help you find a scuba agency recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy so that you can fulfill requirement 4.

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Scouts who have already earned an Open Water Diver Certification outside of a BSA activity from a scuba agency recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy may still earn the Scuba Diving merit badge by earning the Swimming merit badge and completing all other listed requirements.

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Requirement resources

First Aid
1a. Hypothermia, Hyperventilation, Squeezes, Decompression Illness, Nitrogen Narcosis, Motion Sickness, Fatigue, Overexertion, Heat Reactions, Dehydration, injuries by aquatic life, and Cuts and Scrapes
1b. CPR

• Your handbook is your primary reference. See First Aid Skills for step-by-step instructions and lesson video links.
• See also: First Aid Merit Badge Pamphlet - First Aid Kit - Emergency Kit - Guide to Safe Scouting - Physcial

2. Swimming

• Your handbook is your primary reference. See Swimming Skills for step-by-step instructions and lesson video links.
• See also: Swimming & Lifesaving Merit Badge Pamphlets - Guide to Safe Scouting - Safe Swim Defense - Safety Afloat

3. Boy Scouts of America Scuba Diver's Code:

A Scout:

-Maintains good mental and physical fitness for scuba diving.

-Keeps his dive skills sharp through continuing education.

-Seeks professional orientation prior to diving at unfamiliar dive locations.

-Adheres to the buddy system throughout every dive.

-Uses complete, well-maintained, and reliable equipment with which he is familiar.

-Always dives no deeper than the recommended depth for his certification level and experience.

-Always follows the time limits listed by the special dive tables or a dive computer for a particular depth.

-Is a S.A.F.E. diver (Slowly Ascends From Every dive) and makes a safety stop at 15 feet for three minutes at the end of each dive prior to surfacing.

- Breathes properly while diving, never holding his breath or skipping breathing.

-Knows and obeys local diving laws and regulations, including fish and game laws and dive-flag laws.

-Understands and respects aquatic life, considers how his interactions affects it, and dives carefully to protect fragile aquatic ecosystems.

4. Start Earning Your Scuba Diving Merit Badge Online Today! (Scouting.org) — Last checked: November 16, 2011 5. Ecology

• The Ocean Alliance: http://www.oceanalliance.org
• Scripps Institute of Oceanography: http://www.sio.ucsd.edu
• Secrets of the Ocean Realm: http://www.pbs.org/oceanrealm
• The Tide Pool Page: http://web.mit.edu/corrina/tpool/tidepool.html

6. Career opportunities in the scuba industry:

• Divers Jobs
• Recreational
• Commercial
• PADI Professional courses:
  • Scuba Instructor
  • Search and Recovery Diver
  • Underwater Videographer
  • Digital Underwater Photographer
  • Wreck Diver
  • Divemaster

Related Ranks, Awards, and Merit Badges

Aquatic-related awards

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Canoeing - Kayaking - Lifesaving - Motorboating - Rowing - Scuba Diving - Small-Boat Sailing - Swimming - Water Sports - Whitewater
• Boy Scouts ranks and awards: Second Class - First Class - BSA Lifeguard - Boardsailing BSA - Kayaking BSA - Mile Swim BSA - Scuba BSA - Snorkeling BSA - BSA Swim Test
• Venturing: Ranger Award electives: Lifesaving - Scuba - Watercraft; Sea Scout Bronze Award - Sea Scout Ranks: Apprentice - Ordinary - Able - Quartermaster
• Webelos Activity Badge: Aquanaut
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Cub Scout Swimming

See also

Boy Scout portal Varsity Scout portal Venturing portal

General Merit Badge information

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)

External links

• Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
• Discover Scuba Diving
• National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
• International Diving Educators Association (IDEA)
• Professional Diving Instructors Corporation (PDIC)
• Schools International (SSI)
• Discover Magazine
• Discovery Channel
• Nat. Geographic Society