 |
Lifesaving
Merit Badge
- Before doing requirements 2 through 15
- Complete Second Class rank requirements 7a through
7c and First Class rank requirements 9a through 9c.
Second Class rank requirements 7a through 7c:
(7a) Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.
(7b) Demonstrate your ability to jump feetfirst into water over your
head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn
sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.
(7c) Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or
leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and
objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a
reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a
rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
First Class rank requirements 9a through 9c:
(9a) Tell what precautions should be taken for a safe trip afloat.
(9b) Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.
(9c) With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as
tender and as rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30
feet from shore in deep water).
- Swim continuously for 400 yards using each of the
following strokes in a strong manner for at least 50 continuous yards:
front crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke.
- Explain the following:
- Common drowning situations and how to prevent them.
- How to identify persons in the water who need
assistance.
- The order of methods in water rescue.
- How rescue techniques vary depending on the setting
and the condition of the person needing assistance.
- Situations for which in-water rescues should not be
undertaken.
- Demonstrate "reaching" rescues using various items
such as arms, legs, towels, shirts, paddles, and poles.
- Demonstrate "throwing" rescues using various items
such as lines, ring buoys, rescue bags, and free-floating supports.
Successfully place at least one such aid within reach of a practice
victim 25 feet from shore.
- Show or explain the use of rowboats, canoes, and
other small craft in performing rescues.
- List various items that can be used as rescue aids in
a noncontact swimming rescue. Explain why buoyant aids are preferred.
- Perform the following equipment-based rescues for
a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Use a proper entry
and a strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject to determine his
condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.
- Present a rescue tube to the subject, release it,
and escort the victim to safety.
- Present a rescue tube to the subject and use it to
tow the victim to safety.
- Present a buoyant aid other than a rescue tube to
the subject, release it, and escort the victim to safety.
- Present a buoyant aid other than a rescue tube to
the subject and use it to tow the victim to safety.
- Remove street clothes in 20 seconds or less and use
a non-buoyant aid, such as a shirt or towel, to tow the subject to
safety. Explain when it is appropriate to remove heavy clothing before
attempting a swimming rescue.
- Explain the importance of avoiding contact with an
active victim and describe lead-and-wait tactics.
- Perform the following nonequipment rescues for a
conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Begin in the water
from a position near the subject. Speak to the subject to determine his
condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.
- Provide a swim-along assist for a calm, responsive,
tired swimmer moving with a weak forward stroke.
- Perform an armpit tow for a calm, responsive, tired
swimmer resting with a back float.
- Perform a cross-chest carry for an exhausted,
passive victim who does not respond to instructions to aid himself.
- In deep water, show how to escape from a victim’s
grasp on your wrist. Repeat for front and rear holds about the head and
shoulders.
- Perform the following rescues for an unconscious
practice subject at or near the surface 30 feet from shore. Use a
proper entry and strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject and splash
water on him to determine his condition before making contact. Remove
the victim from the water, with assistance if needed, and position for
CPR.
- Perform an equipment assist using a buoyant aid.
- Perform a front approach and wrist tow.
- Perform a rear approach and armpit tow.
- Describe how to respond if a victim submerges before
being reached by a rescuer, and do the following:
- Recover a 10-pound weight in 8 to 10 feet of water
using a feetfirst surface dive.
- Repeat using a headfirst surface dive.
- Demonstrate knowledge of resuscitation procedures:
- Describe how to recognize the need for rescue
breathing and CPR.
- Demonstrate proper CPR technique for at least 3
minutes using a mannequin designed to simulate ventilations and
compressions.
- Demonstrate management of a spinal injury:
- Explaining the signs and symptoms of a spinal
injury.
- Support a face up victim in calm, shallow water.
- Turn a subject from a facedown to a faceup position
while maintaining support.
- Show that you know first aid for other injuries or
illnesses that could occur while swimming or boating, including
hypothermia, heat reactions, muscle cramps, sunburn, stings, and
hyperventilation.
|
