Water Sports

Water Sports merit badge requirements

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in water sports, including hypothermia, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, sunburn, minor cuts and blisters.
2. Do the following:

   a. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.

   b. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.

3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.
4. Do the following:

   a. Discuss the BSA Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to Water Sports.

   b. Name the different types of life jackets, and explain when each type should be used. Show how to choose and properly fit a life jacket.

   c. Know the Water Sports Safety Code. Promise that you will live up to it and follow it in all water work for this badge. Know the safety precautions that must be used by the boat operator in pulling water-skiers and wakeboarders.

5. Show the following skier signals to the safety observer in the boat: skier safe, faster, slower, turns, back to dock, cut motor, skier in water.
6. Showing reasonable control while using two skis, one ski, or a wakeboard, do EACH of the following:

   a. Show how to enter the water from a boat and make a deepwater start without help.

   b. Show you can cross both wakes four times and return to the center of the wake each time without falling.

   c. Show you can fall properly to avoid an obstacle. Also, show that you can drop handle and coast to a stop without loss of balance.

7. While on shore, show that you now how to properly adjust the bindings on your ski(s) or wakeboard to fit yourself. Then, in deep water, show that you can adjust bindings to fit. Recover and put on your ski(s) or wakeboard that has come off during a fall.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2016 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #621535)

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

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

• 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.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• 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 Ranks: Apprentice - Ordinary - Able - Quartermaster
• Webelos Activity Badge: Aquanaut
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Cub Scout Swimming

• 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.)