 Swimming 
This Merit Badge requires 1 session to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Swimming merit badge are: 1, 2
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Swimming Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
NOTE: IMPORTANT!!!! THE SWIMMING MERIT BADGE IS NOW
FULL. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE PUT ON A WAITING
LIST, PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS BELOW. THANK
YOU.
Please contact the Merit Badge Coordinator via
email (Sheryl von Westernhagen,
svwpathways@gmail.com) to register for and
receive information about this merit badge.
Swimming will be offered on Saturday night
during the swim time and will be limited to 10
Scouts. Scouts will be manually
registered on a first come first serve basis,
and the Merit Badge Coordinator will share badge
requirements with registered Scouts. Any
questions, please send an email to
svwpathways@gmail.com. Thank you. |
| a. |
Explain to your counselor how Scouting’s Safe Swim
Defense plan anticipates, helps prevent and
mitigate, and provides responses to likely hazards
you may encounter during swimming activities. |
| b. |
Discuss the prevention and treatment of health
concerns that could occur while swimming,
including hypothermia, dehydration, sunburn, heat
exhaustion, heatstroke, muscle cramps,
hyperventilation, spinal injury, stings and bites,
and cuts and scrapes. |
2. |
Before doing the following requirements,
successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump
feet first into water over the head in depth.
Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner
using one or more of the following strokes:
sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl;
then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting
backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in
one swim without stops and must include at least
one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest
by floating. |
3. |
Swim continuously for 150 yards using the
following strokes in good form and in a strong
manner: front crawl or trudgen for 25 yards, back
crawl for 25 yards, sidestroke for 25 yards,
breaststroke for 25 yards, and elementary
backstroke for 50 yards. |
| a. |
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. |
| b. |
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. |
| a. |
Float faceup in a resting position for at least
one minute. |
| b. |
Demonstrate survival floating for at least
five minutes. |
| c. |
While wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard–
approved life jacket, demonstrate the HELP and
huddle positions. Explain their purposes. |
| d. |
Explain why swimming or survival floating will
hasten the onset of hypothermia in cold water. |
6. |
In water over your head, but not to exceed 10
feet, do each of the following: |
| a. |
Use the feet first method of surface diving and
bring an object up from the bottom. |
| b. |
Do a headfirst surface dive (pike or tuck), and
bring the object up again. |
| c. |
Do a headfirst surface dive to a depth of at least
5 feet and swim underwater for three strokes. Come
to the surface, take a breath, and repeat the
sequence twice. |
7. |
Following the guidelines set in the BSA Safe
Swim Defense, in water at least 7 feet deep*,
show a standing headfirst dive from a dock or
pool deck. Show a long shallow dive, also
from the dock or pool deck. *If your state,
city, or local community requires a water depth
greater than 7 feet, it is important to abide by
that mandate. |
8. |
Explain the health benefits of regular aerobic
exercise, and discuss why swimming is favored as
both fitness and therapeutic exercise. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2026"
Download the workbook for the
Swimming Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
|
