Scuba Diving Merit Badge

1. First aid and CPR, and this is not behind the gate Often forgotten Requirement

Two parts, and the only requirement on this badge that requirement 2 does not block. This is what you can be doing while the Swimming merit badge runs.

2 parts

• 1(a). First aid for the things diving does to people
• 1(b). CPR: the conditions for it, and the technique

2. Earn the Swimming merit badge, this gates the rest Often forgotten Milestone

An entire other merit badge, with its own counselor, its own blue card and its own swim tests. It stands in front of requirements 3, 4, 5 and 6: everything except requirement 1.

This is a whole other merit badge and it blocks four of the six requirements here. Start it early. While it runs, requirement 1 is the only part of this badge you can work on, which is exactly why requirement 1 is drawn where it is.

3. The Scuba Diver's Code, guideline by guideline Task

Discussed with your counselor, explaining why each guideline matters to a diver's safety. Worth doing before the certification course rather than after. It is the framework the course fills in.

Usually comes after 2. Earn the Swimming merit badge, this gates the rest.

4. Earn an Open Water Diver certification Often forgotten Milestone

From a scuba organisation recognised by the Scouting America scuba policy. This is a commercial qualification taught outside Scouting by an instructor who is not your counselor. Check the policy, and check with the organisation, before booking anything.

Usually comes after 2. Earn the Swimming merit badge, this gates the rest.

Read the Scouting America scuba policy BEFORE you book a course. The requirement is not "learn to dive". It is a certification from an organisation that policy recognises, and a certification from one it does not recognise will not satisfy it. Confirm with both the policy and the training organisation first.

5. What an ecosystem is, and four a diver meets Task

Explain what an ecosystem is, then describe four aquatic ecosystems a diver might experience.

Usually comes after 2. Earn the Swimming merit badge, this gates the rest.

6. Three scuba careers, then one in depth Task

Find out about three career opportunities in the scuba industry, pick one, and find out the education, training and experience it needs, then discuss it with your counselor and say why it might interest you.

Usually comes after 2. Earn the Swimming merit badge, this gates the rest.

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 6. Three scuba careers, then one in depth.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.