Any Scuba badges in scouts?

[psumike]

There were some discussions at DEMA last month regarding BSA and SCUBA. Some discussions are associated with the BSA age limit of 14. Some prior justification was the goal of BSA to have 'carrots' for scouts to move from one group to the next WEBELOS--> Scouts --> Venturing. Just as aspects of shooting have age restrictions that coincide with the ages of the BSA programs.


The discussion of a BSA merit badge continues as well.

I think BSA reorganized this summer and the organization is not program specific: Cubs/Scouts/Venturing but rather by Advancement, Activities, etc. This might give BSA a more holistic view of things and perhaps open the doors for more fruitful discussions on the SCUBA programs in BSA.

Mike

 

[mmmeenehan]

I heard that the recent National BSA Aquatics Committee (Task Force?) approved work on a Scuba Merit Badge during their conference at FSB.

 

[mjarrardjr]

The biggest reason why the BSA hasn't done a SCUBA MB yet is becuase of the lilability. Yes, I know we do things like aviation merit badge and such, but the SCUBA industry just hasn't found its way in yet. Members at Sea Base have been petitioning for the last couple years to get one, but deciding on the requirements as well as the recognized agencies along with the insurance is becoming too much for them. In reality, there are only two agencies that can reach just about every scout with a close third in some locations.

In the end, it boils down to the poltics and paperwork that we have all come to love...

 

[KJackson60]

A SCUBA Merit Badge already exists. It is the SCUBA BSA Award. The only thing that needs to be added is researching the possible jobs in the SCUBA Industry and the identification and treatment for possible injuries caused by SCUBA Diving such as: Cuts, scrapes, animal bites/stings, Hypothermia, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, sunburn, heart attack, stopped breathing, nitrogen narcosis, decompression sickness, and lung over expansion. No dives should be required. They don't make you fly the airplane for Aviation merit Badge do they?

 

[mjarrardjr]

A SCUBA Merit Badge already exists. It is the SCUBA BSA Award. The only thing that needs to be added is researching the possible jobs in the SCUBA Industry and the identification and treatment for possible injuries caused by SCUBA Diving such as: Cuts, scrapes, animal bites/stings, Hypothermia, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, sunburn, heart attack, stopped breathing, nitrogen narcosis, decompression sickness, and lung over expansion. No dives should be required. They don't make you fly the airplane for Aviation merit Badge do they?

They had it as an option when I took it in 98, but not sure anymore.

 

[The Chairman]

I would love to be a part of these discussions. I am on the National Task Force for Fishing and we are tasked with all Scouts. What started as just Fly Fishing Merit Badge ad hoc committee has certainly grown.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[mmmeenehan]

A SCUBA Merit Badge already exists. It is the SCUBA BSA Award.

Nope, the Scuba BSA recognition is NOT one of the app. 100 BSA merit badges. The Scuba BSA recognition, like several other aquatics-related awards (Snorkeling BSA, Kayaking BSA, etc.), differ from merit badges in ways like the award is available to both youth and adults and do not count towards rank advancement.

As mentioned in a previous post, approval has been given for the development of a Scuba merit badge. I'm not sure who all the working group members are. Several were part of the development of the Scuba BSA award.

 

[KJackson60]

Hello mmmeenehan. You are correct. The SCUBA BSA Award is just that, an award not a merit badge. The point I was trying to make was that it could be converted to a merit badge by adding the first aid and carreer opportunities sections that are normally part of a merit badge. Thanks for your input!

 

[psumike]

(pardoon the duplicate post. I put it in the Teen area too.)

Just in case you haven't yet heard BSA has announced the approval of a SCUBA
MERIT BADGE. Details are still being worked out.

But they put out an email from the innovation committee
Thursday making the announcement. The decision came during a meeting with
PADI staff in Texas last week. Needless to say we are very excited.

 

[ComProg]

It is now official!!!

New Meritbadge for Boy Scouts!!!!!


SCUBA!!!!!

Hello all fellow divers.

Below is the actual quote from National BSA about the new Merit Badge:

From: bsa.communications@scouting.org [mailto:bsa.communications@scouting.org]
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 12:46 PM
Subject: BSA Action Required: Correction: Scuba Diving merit badge earn date is 2009

This is an official BSA communication.

To:Scout Executive;Director Field Service;National E-mail
CC:Assistant Regional Directors;regional directors;Area- Directors;Wayne Brock;Group Directors;Al Kugler;James J Terry;Richard Mathews

Action Required:

Refer to Advancement Chairs and All Interested Parties

From:Innovation

BSA Action Required: Correction: Scuba Diving merit badge earn date is 2009

Please note the correction below. The Scuba Diving merit badge earn date is December 1, 2009.
The Boy Scouts of America is pleased to announce the release of the Scuba Diving merit badge. The official earn date of this merit badge is December 1, 2009. Pamphlets are in the NDC and available for local council service center and scoutstuff.org orders - just in time for Christmas!

The first new merit badge in over three years, Scuba Diving reflects the new direction of BSA to develop merit badges based on youth/Scout input to assure relevance and excitement around the merit badge offering. This merit badge, developed in association with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), leverages our spirit of outdoor adventure and expands our aquatics offering. More than 84 percent of Scouts surveyed were interested in the merit badge and recommended that BSA adopt it.

Key facts you need to know about the merit badge are as follows:

* Completing the Scuba Diving merit badge will result in the boy achieving an open water certification enabling him to dive around the world with the appropriate supervision, based on his age.

* There are two important roles for this merit badge - the merit badge counselor and a certified dive instructor.

* Sometimes this may be the same person.

* More likely, the counselor will be an existing BSA adult member.

* Always the instructor will be one certified by one of a number of instructional agencies.

* The instructor does NOT have to be a BSA member.

* Earning the Scuba Diving merit badge is open to all Boy Scout-age youth. There are, however, limitations based on age with respect to how deep and with whom a boy can dive. These limitations vary by certifying organization.

* Completion of the Swimming merit badge is a requirement of the merit badge and must be completed prior to entering into scuba training portion of the requirements.

* Boys with a current open water certification will NOT have to recertify in order to earn the merit badge. They will, however, have to have completed the Swimming merit badge, present their certification to the merit badge counselor and complete all the other requirements.

* There are three important pieces of information which must be fully reviewed by the merit badge counselor prior to approving any Scout for the merit badge: the merit badge requirements, the notes to counselor and the scuba policy of the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Have fun and dive safe!