Whitewater

Whitewater requirements

1. Do the following:

   a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in whitewater activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

   b. Review with your counselor the prevention, symptoms, and first aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in whitewater activities including cold-water shock; hypothermia; head, neck, and back injuries; heat-related illnesses; sunburn; dehydration; blisters; bruises; cuts; sprains and strains; shoulder dislocation; and submersion injuries.

   c. Discuss with your counselor the BSA Safety Afloat policy and the American Whitewater safety guidelines.

2. Do the following:

   a. Explain the following river features: upstream V, downstream V, riffle, eddy, eddy line, pillow, ledge, bend, shallows, current, drop, horizon line, wave, standing wave, wave train.

   b. Explain when, why, and how you should scout a river while ashore and while on the river.

3. Before doing requirements 4 through 12, earn the Canoeing merit badge if you will be using a canoe to earn this merit badge. If you will be using a kayak, earn the Kayaking merit badge. Then do the following:

   a. If you will be using a canoe to earn this merit badge, demonstrate strokes and maneuvers from the Canoeing merit badge to the satisfaction of your merit badge counselor.
   OR

   b. If you will be using a kayak to earn this merit badge, demonstrate strokes and maneuvers from the Kayaking merit badge to the satisfaction of your merit badge counselor.

4. Do ONE of the following:

   a. If you are completing these requirements as a tandem canoeist, perform the following on calm water:

   1. Demonstrate the following strokes in the bow: cross forward, bow draw, cross bow draw, bow pry, Duffek, sculling draw, and sculling pushaway (reverse scull).

   2. Demonstrate the following strokes in the stern: stern draw, stern pry, sculling draw, sculling pushaway (reverse scull), and forward with stern pry.

   3. Demonstrate a high brace, low brace, and a righting pry.
   OR

   b. If you are completing these requirements as a solo canoeist, perform the following on calm water:

   1. Demonstrate the following strokes: cross forward, bow draw, cross bow draw, stern draw, pry, stern pry, Duffek, sculling draw, sculling pushaway (reverse scull), and forward with stern pry.

   2. Demonstrate a high brace, low brace, and righting pry.
   OR

   c. If you are completing these requirements as a solo kayaker, perform the following on calm water:

   1. Demonstrate the following strokes: Duffek, bow draw, rudder, and sculling draw.

   2. Demonstrate a high brace and low brace.

5. Do the following:

   a. Explain the International Scale of River Difficulty and apply the scale to the stretch of river approved by your counselor.

   b. Identify the specific characteristics of the river that are factors in your classification according to the International Scale.

   c. Discuss how the level of flow changes a river from one class to another and what effects different flow rates have on the features of a river and its hazards.

6. Explain the importance of communication during every whitewater outing. Demonstrate knowledge and ability to use the following American Whitewater Universal River Signals, both visual and auditory: "Stop," "Are you OK?," "Help/emergency," "Run river right," "Run river left," and "All clear-come ahead."
7. Do ONE of the following:

   a. If completing this merit badge in a canoe, describe the various types of canoes used on moving water and how they differ in design, materials, and purpose.
   OR

   b. If completing this merit badge in a kayak, describe the various types of kayaks used on moving water and explain how they differ in design, materials, and purpose.

8. Discuss the personal and group equipment necessary for a safe whitewater outing and how and why it is used. Explain how to pack and protect these items.
9. Do the following:

   a. Demonstrate your ability to read a Class II section of river approved by your counselor. Describe the most desirable paths or lines of travel as well as alternative routes and options. Point out how to use the existing water features to your advantage, and explain how to best avoid the hazards present.

   b. Wearing a proper life jacket and being appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, perform the following skills in moving water in a properly equipped whitewater craft of your choice (tandem canoe, solo canoe, or solo kayak). If a tandem canoe is used, the skills must be demonstrated from both the bow and stern positions.

   1. Launch and land.

   2. Paddle forward in a straight line.

   3. Backpaddle.

   4. Ferry upstream.

   5. Ferry downstream.

   6. Eddy turn.

   7. Peel out.

10. Explain and demonstrate the following to your counselor:

    a. Self-rescue and procedures when capsized in moving water, including a wet exit if necessary

    b. Proper use of a throw rope to rescue a swimmer in whitewater

    c. Proper technique for receiving a throw rope as a swimmer

    d. Portaging - where portaging would be appropriate, and when and how to do it

    e. The whitewater buddy system using at least three persons and three craft

11. Discuss the use of inflatable rafts on moving water. In your discussion, explain the special safety precautions that should be taken when using an inflatable raft and the risks of "tubing" on moving water.
12. Participate in a whitewater trip using either a canoe or kayak on a Class I or Class II river. Help to prepare a written plan, specifying the route, schedule, equipment, safety precautions, and emergency procedures. Determine local rules and obtain permission from landowners and land managers in advance. Explain what steps you have taken to comply with BSA Safety Afloat and the American Whitewater safety guidelines. Execute the plan with others.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2018 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #641568)

A FREE workbook for Whitewater is available here! (PDF or Word) with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Whitewater requirements.

usscouts.org has PDF and Word versions of workbooks for Scouts BSA ranks and merit badges, Cub Scouting ranks and adventures, and STEM Nova awards.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." The Whitewater merit badge pamphlet can purchased at ScoutSthop.org or at your local Scout Shop.
• "Get a signed Application for Merit Badge ... from your unit leader." An electronic, fillable, and printable PDF file version is available.

• Cub Scouts
  • Tiger Elective Adventure: Floats and Boats
  • Bear Elective Adventure: Salmon Run
  • Wolf Elective Adventure: Spirit of the Water
  • Webelos/Arrow of Light Elective Adventure: Aquanaut
• Scouts/Venturers/Sea Scouts:
  • Awards: Boardsailing BSA  •  BSA Lifeguard  •  BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding  •  BSA Swim Test  •  Kayaking BSA  •  Mile Swim BSA  •  Scuba BSA  •  Snorkeling BSA  •  Whitewater Rafting BSA  •  National Outdoor Award for Aquatics
  • Scouts BSA merit badges: Canoeing  •  Fish and Wildlife Management  •  Fishing  •  Fly-Fishing  •  Kayaking  •  Lifesaving  •  Motorboating  •  Rowing  •  Scuba Diving  •  Small-Boat Sailing  •  Swimming  •  Water Sports  •  Whitewater
  • Scouts BSA awards: Complete Angler
  • Scouts BSA ranks: Second Class - First Class
  • Venturer Ranger Award electives: Lifesaving  •  Scuba  •  Watercraft
  • Sea Scout ranks: Apprentice  •  Ordinary  •  Able  •  Quartermaster
  • Sea Scout awards: Small Boat Handler  •  Qualified Seaman  •  Long Cruise Award

• Scouts BSA merit badges: Archery  •  Athletics  •  Climbing  •  Cycling  •  Fishing  •  Fly-Fishing  •  Golf - Hiking  •  Horsemanship  •  Orienteering  •  Rifle Shooting  •  Shotgun Shooting  •  Skating  •  Small-Boat Sailing  •  Snow Sports  •  Sports  •  Swimming  •  Water Sports  •  Whitewater
• Venturing: Quest Award; Ranger Award electives: Cave Exploration  •  Cycling  •  Equestrian  •  Fishing  •  Hunting  •  Mountaineering  •  COPE  •  Shooting Sports  •  Winter Sports

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• 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 youths 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.)
• See Submitting New Merit Badge Ideas for guidance on how to submit suggestions for new merit badges to BSA.