BSA scuba merit badge?

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Last I heard, it will be ready for SCOUTS late 2009. The Merit Badge Pamphlet was in nearly final form and was going through reviews and edits.

This was posted on a Jamoree Scuba Staff Forum:

The final (after several) draft of the MB was sent to National
last month (I think. Time passes so quickly these days).
There are still a couple of issues we will be revisiting one last time
before it goes to press.

Last I heard from the Director inside BSA National on whose desk
this resides, the scuba merit badge is scheduled to be introduced
November - December this year. That date of course slips and slides
depending on what else is happening in BSA at the time. Kayaking
merit badge will also be introduced at some point. Not sure where
those folks are in the process.

The requirements in general (don't want to give away all the details
yet in case something gets modified at last minute) are.

"Open Water" level (4 dives) Scuba certification
Some environmental stuff
Some career stuff
A Scout divers creed (like a combination of Safe Swim and Safe diving
rules).
Since I don't have the draft with me I can't remember the rest at the
moment but
this is the heart of it.
 
Well, this patch is OUT(@ least thats what i think i received), I have it personally. I received it after completing Open Water training (Scuba Trek) @ the local scout camp this past summer...
 
Well, this patch is OUT

really?
Or are you referring to the SCUBA BSA Patch?

Mike

PS - yes the dive flag is bassackwards...don't ask me :)
 

Attachments

  • scuba.jpg
    scuba.jpg
    21.9 KB · Views: 90
I think you may be right... the patch is the same size as the merit badges though. Correct? So, i may have thoguht it was it. Maybe i was wrong... we'll see...
 
I know it's in the works...I head an episode of "ScubRadio" the other day, and BSA was making a big deal out of appointing Greg, "the dive master" as the first Scuba diving Merit badge counselor.
 
here's a link that I just ran across for the new Merit Badges -
http://www.scoutingnews.org/2009/08/13/new-merit-badges/

In our local area, there was a Boy Scout Venture Crew
specifically created to support older scouts getting their OWC & AOWC.
A local instructor + pool time + equipment was donated...
Just had to show up for lessons with your own mask, fins, & snork.

Our son finished his Eagle last fall (18yr old)
and also did his OWC and AOWC last couple of summers..
He and I also did GPS Geocaching when he was younger.

This spring break, as a high school senior and as a graduation present -
we did a Carnival cruise so he could get some real diving done,
like Roatan, Belize, Cayman, Coz,
as we are in the Chicago area with mostly quarry diving...

He had a great time and would go back to Roatan...
 
Reqs from the new scuba MB book (going to print today):

1. 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.

2. Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the
Swimming merit badge.

3. Discuss the Scuba Diver’s Code with your merit badge
counselor, and explain the importance of each guideline
to a scuba diver’s safety.

4. Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba
organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America
scuba policy.

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

6. 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.
 
Here's an image of the new MB
 

Attachments

  • scuba merit badge.jpg
    scuba merit badge.jpg
    38.3 KB · Views: 94
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

Back
Top Bottom