Scuba Diving Merit Badge

Free Resources and Answers

Time: 2–4 weeks
Difficulty: Challenging
Setting: Pool, open water
Best For: Scouts interested in diving, water skills, adventure
Hands-On Level: High
Requires Camping/Travel: Yes
Eagle Required: No

The Scuba Diving merit badge gives you the chance to explore a world that few people get to see. You learn how divers breathe underwater, move safely, and use scuba equipment. You also discover how training and careful planning help make each dive safe and enjoyable.

As you work on this badge, you build confidence in the water. You practice important skills, learn how to respond to problems, and understand why divers must stay calm. These lessons can help you make good decisions both underwater and in everyday life.

You also learn how divers can protect oceans, lakes, and the creatures that live there. Scuba diving may become a lifelong hobby or lead you toward work in science, conservation, rescue, or underwater exploration. This badge can be your first step into a new kind of adventure.

Download the Scuba Diving Merit Badge Requirements

Scuba Diving Merit Badge Pamphlet

Scuba Diving Merit Badge Check Off Sheet

Checklist for All Merit Badges

Help with Answers for Scuba Diving Merit Badge Requirements

Find specific helps for some of the Scuba Diving merit badge requirements listed below. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Scouts to introduce these concepts to new Scouts.

• Requirement 1: Be Prepared
• Requirement 2: Swimming Merit Badge
• Requirement 3: Scuba Diver’s Code
• Requirement 4: Open Water Diver Certification
• Requirement 5: Ecosystems
• Requirement 6: Careers
• More Resources

Requirement 1a: First Aid for Diving Problems

What You Need To Do

Describe the signs and first aid for common scuba diving injuries and illnesses. Cover every condition listed in the requirement.

Helpful Tips

• Hypothermia causes shivering, poor coordination, confusion, and tiredness. Move the person to a warm place. Remove wet clothing, add dry layers, and get medical help for serious symptoms.
• Hyperventilation is breathing too fast or too deeply. It may cause dizziness, tingling, or panic. Help the diver stop activity and breathe slowly.
• A squeeze is an injury caused by pressure inside the ears, sinuses, mask, lungs, or other air spaces. Pain during descent is a warning sign. Stop the descent and return to a depth where the pain ends.
• Decompression illness may cause joint pain, weakness, numbness, dizziness, breathing trouble, or unusual tiredness after a dive. Call emergency services and provide emergency oxygen when trained and equipped. Keep the diver resting and follow directions from medical professionals.
• Nitrogen narcosis may cause confusion, poor choices, slow reactions, or unusual behavior at depth. The diver should signal the buddy and move to a shallower depth in a controlled way.
• Motion sickness may cause nausea, dizziness, sweating, or vomiting. Rest in fresh air, look toward the horizon, and drink small amounts of water when possible.
• Fatigue can reduce strength, attention, and control. Stop diving and rest before entering the water again.
• Overexertion may cause hard breathing, muscle cramps, or panic. Stop swimming, signal the buddy, rest, and use a safe source of support.
• Heat exhaustion may cause heavy sweating, weakness, headache, nausea, or cool, damp skin. Move the person to a cooler place, loosen clothing, and provide water when the person is awake and able to drink.
• Heat stroke may cause confusion, fainting, seizures, or very hot skin. Call emergency services and begin rapid cooling.
• Dehydration may cause thirst, headache, cramps, dark urine, or dizziness. Stop activity, rest in a cool place, and drink water or an electrolyte drink.
• Aquatic life can cause bites, punctures, stings, or poisoning. Leave the water, control bleeding, and contact medical help. Treatment varies by animal, so follow local emergency guidance.
• Cuts and scrapes may become infected. Control bleeding, wash the wound, apply a clean dressing, and seek medical care for deep or badly contaminated wounds.
• Diving injuries can become serious quickly. End the dive and contact emergency services when symptoms are severe, unusual, or getting worse.

Resources

• Hypothermia: Prevention and Treatment (website)
• What Is Hypothermia? (video)
• What Are the Bends in Scuba Diving? Decompression Sickness Explained (video)
• How To Relieve Cramps While Scuba Diving (video)
• Diving With Anxiety | Tips for Staying Calm & Confident at Depth! (video)
• Seasickness Prevention and Treatment (website)
• What Is Nitrogen Narcosis and How Do You Get It? (video)

Leader Tips

• Assign each Scout several conditions to research and present.
• Use short emergency situations to practice choosing the correct response.
• Stress early recognition, emergency oxygen, and prompt medical care for suspected diving illnesses.
• Refer detailed treatment questions to a qualified first-aid or scuba professional.

Requirement 1b: CPR Conditions and Skills

What You Need To Do

Identify when a person needs CPR and describe how to check for those conditions. Demonstrate CPR on a training device approved by your counselor.

Helpful Tips

• Check the area for dangers before approaching the person.
• Tap the person’s shoulder and shout to check for a response.
• Call 911 or direct another person to call.
• Send someone to get an automated external defibrillator, called an AED.
• Check for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
• Gasping is not normal breathing.
• Begin CPR when the person is unresponsive and is not breathing normally.
• Follow the steps taught in your current CPR course.
• Place the person faceup on a firm, flat surface when it is safe to do so.
• Place your hands in the center of the chest for adult or teen compressions.
• Push hard and fast at the depth and rate taught by your CPR instructor.
• Allow the chest to return to its normal position after each compression.
• Use an AED as soon as one becomes available.
• Follow the AED’s spoken directions and keep everyone clear during analysis and shock delivery.
• Continue CPR until the person begins breathing normally, trained help takes over, the area becomes unsafe, or you cannot continue.
• Practice only on an approved manikin or training device. Never practice chest compressions on another person.

Resources

• How To Perform Hands-Only CPR (video)

Leader Tips

• Use a CPR manikin approved by the counselor.
• Give each Scout enough practice time to build a steady rhythm and proper hand position.
• Correct one skill at a time and let the Scout try again.
• Use current procedures from a recognized CPR training provider.

Requirement 2: Earn the Swimming Merit Badge

What You Need To Do

Earn the Swimming merit badge before completing requirements 3 through 6. This gives you the basic swimming skills needed for scuba training.

Helpful Tips

• Finish every Swimming merit badge requirement first.
• Keep your completed blue card or digital advancement record.
• Practice swimming before beginning scuba training.
• Build endurance by swimming steady laps.
• Practice floating and treading water.
• Use smooth, controlled strokes to save energy.
• Stay comfortable in both shallow and deep water.
• Practice safe entries and exits.
• Strong swimming skills help when wearing scuba equipment.
• Ask your counselor to confirm the badge is complete before moving on.

Resources

• Swimming Merit Badge (website)

Leader Tips

• Check the Scout’s advancement record before starting requirement 3.
• Encourage extra swim practice when the Scout needs more endurance.
• Focus on comfort, control, and safe movement in the water.
• Coordinate with qualified swimming and scuba instructors when needed.

Requirement 3: Follow the Scuba Diver’s Code

What You Need To Do

Discuss each guideline in the Scuba Diver’s Code with your counselor. Describe how each one helps prevent injuries, equipment problems, and damage to aquatic life.

Helpful Tips

• Stay physically and mentally ready for every dive. Illness, stress, poor fitness, and some medicines can make diving unsafe.
• Keep your diving skills current. Take a refresher course after a long break from diving.
• Get help from a local dive professional before entering an unfamiliar site. Conditions may include currents, waves, cold water, boat traffic, or poor visibility.
• Use the buddy system during the entire dive. Buddies check equipment, stay close, share signals, and help during emergencies.
• Use complete and well-maintained equipment. Practice with the equipment before using it in open water.
• Stay within the depth allowed by your certification and experience. Deeper water adds pressure, uses air faster, and raises other risks.
• Follow the time limits from your dive tables or dive computer. These limits reduce the risk of decompression illness.
• Ascend slowly from every dive. Follow your training for ascent speed and safety stops.
• Breathe normally and continuously. Never hold your breath while using scuba equipment.
• Check your air supply often. Begin the return and ascent with enough air for you and your buddy.
• Follow local laws and dive-site rules. These may cover dive flags, protected areas, fishing, boats, and aquatic life.
• Keep your hands, fins, and equipment away from coral and other fragile life. Good buoyancy control helps prevent damage.
• Do not chase, feed, touch, or collect aquatic animals. Some animals may bite, sting, or become stressed.
• Review the dive plan before entering the water. Include depth, time, signals, buddy contact, separation steps, and emergency actions.

Resources

• Scuba School International Divers Code (website)

Leader Tips

• Give the Scout a copy of the code to use during the discussion.
• Ask for a safety reason and a diving example for each guideline.
• Use short dive situations to show how several guidelines work together.
• Refer technical questions to a certified scuba instructor.

Requirement 4: Earn Open Water Certification

What You Need To Do

Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by Scouting America policy. Complete the course under the supervision of a recognized diving instructor.

Helpful Tips

• Ask your counselor which scuba organizations meet current Scouting America policy.
• Choose a course designed for your age.
• Complete all required classroom or online lessons.
• Practice scuba skills in a pool or other confined-water area.
• Complete the required open-water dives.
• Use equipment supplied or approved by the scuba instructor.
• Practice mask clearing, regulator recovery, buoyancy control, and underwater signals.
• Follow the buddy system during every training dive.
• Stay within the limits set by your instructor and certification course.
• Tell the instructor about any illness, injury, medicine, or health concern before diving.
• Complete all medical forms required by the training organization.
• Keep your certification card or digital certification record.
• A Scuba BSA experience does not replace an Open Water Diver Certification.
• Junior open-water certification may meet this requirement when it comes from a recognized organization.

Resources

• How To Get Scuba Certified (video)

Leader Tips

• Confirm the training organization meets current Scouting America scuba policy.
• Let the certified scuba instructor teach and test all diving skills.
• Help families review course costs, schedules, age rules, and medical forms.
• Check the Scout’s certification record before marking the requirement complete.

Requirement 5: Explore Aquatic Ecosystems

What You Need To Do

Describe an ecosystem and give four examples of aquatic ecosystems a diver might visit. Include the living things, water conditions, and other features found in each one.

Helpful Tips

• An ecosystem includes living things and the nonliving parts of their surroundings.
• Living parts include plants, animals, algae, bacteria, and other organisms.
• Nonliving parts include water, sunlight, temperature, rocks, sand, and nutrients.
• Coral reefs form in warm, shallow ocean water. Coral, fish, sea turtles, sponges, and many small animals live there.
• Kelp forests grow in cool coastal water. Tall kelp provides food, shelter, and protection for fish, crabs, sea stars, and marine mammals.
• Freshwater lakes contain water with very little salt. Divers may find fish, turtles, plants, mud, rocks, and sunken trees.
• Rivers and streams have moving freshwater. Currents, water depth, and visibility may change quickly.
• The open ocean lies away from shore and the seafloor. Divers may encounter schools of fish, jellyfish, sharks, rays, and other animals.
• Estuaries form where freshwater and saltwater meet. These areas often support young fish, shellfish, birds, and thick plant growth.
• Each ecosystem has its own temperature, depth, visibility, currents, and aquatic life.
• Good buoyancy control keeps fins and equipment away from coral, plants, and the bottom.
• Avoid touching, chasing, feeding, or collecting aquatic life.
• Keep trash, chemicals, and other waste out of the water.
• Describe four ecosystems in your own words during the counselor discussion.

Resources

• Aquatic Ecosystems (Characteristics, Types and Examples) (video)

Leader Tips

• Ask the Scout to compare the water, plants, animals, and conditions in four ecosystems.
• Use photos, maps, or local examples to support the discussion.
• Connect safe diving habits with protecting fragile habitats.
• Let the Scout choose ecosystems connected to places they may dive.

Requirement 6: Careers in Scuba Diving

What You Need To Do

Research three careers in the scuba industry. Choose one career and describe its education, training, and experience, then discuss why it interests you with your counselor.

Helpful Tips

• Choose three careers connected to diving or underwater work.
• Check the daily duties for each career.
• Find the minimum age and education needed.
• Check which scuba certifications are required.
• Some careers require advanced or specialty dive certifications.
• Some jobs require college courses or a college degree.
• Medical exams and strong swimming skills may be required.
• First aid, CPR, and emergency oxygen training can help prepare a diver.
• Many jobs require logged dives in different water conditions.
• Ask a working professional about the job when possible.
• Use reliable sources from employers, colleges, government agencies, or scuba organizations.
• Choose one career for a closer review.
• Include the training, education, experience, and certifications for your chosen career.
• Give personal reasons for your interest during the counselor discussion.

Scuba Career Ideas

• Scuba instructor
• Divemaster or dive guide
• Commercial diver
• Public safety diver
• Marine biologist
• Underwater archaeologist
• Scientific diver
• Aquarium diver
• Underwater photographer
• Dive equipment technician
• Search-and-recovery diver
• Dive boat captain or crew member

Resources

• Top 5 Jobs in the Commercial Diving Industry (video)
• Navy Diver (video)
• Navy Medical Deep Sea Diving Technician—DMT (video)
• 5 Types of Diving Job (video)
• Dream Job: A Day in the Life of Our Divers by Aquarium Love Stories (video)

Leader Tips

• Help the Scout choose three careers with clear differences.
• Guide the Scout toward reliable career and training sources.
• Ask how the required preparation connects to the work.
• Keep the final discussion focused on the Scout’s chosen career and personal interest.

Scuba Award

The Scouting America Scuba award introduces Scouts to basic scuba diving skills and safety. Participants learn how to use scuba equipment, communicate underwater, and dive responsibly in a controlled environment. This program is a great way to prepare for earning the Scuba Diving merit badge. It focuses on teamwork, as Scouts practice the buddy system, and builds confidence through hands-on training.

Completing the Scuba BSA award helps Scouts understand the importance of safety, including how to avoid hazards and handle emergencies. It’s a fun and educational experience that prepares Scouts for future diving adventures. It also supports progress toward the Scuba Diving merit badge.

National Outdoor Award Aquatics Segment Requirements

The National Outdoor Award Aquatics Segment recognizes Scouts and Venturers who go above and beyond in aquatics activities. Earning this award shows dedication to swimming, lifesaving, and aquatic adventures like scuba diving, paddling, and fishing. Scouts must complete the Swimming merit badge and other aquatic requirements, including at least 50 hours of activities. This award celebrates a love for water and outdoor fun.

Scouts can choose scuba diving as part of their path toward earning the award. By completing the Scuba Diving merit badge, they gain valuable skills while exploring the underwater world. This award encourages Scouts to develop confidence and enjoy water-based adventures.

More Merit Badge Resources

The Scuba Diving merit badge helps Scouts learn how to explore underwater environments with proper training and safe habits. It fits well in the merit badge program because it teaches responsibility, awareness, and respect for nature. Scouts study equipment, signals, and safe procedures. This adds a unique and challenging activity to the wide range of merit badges and shows that Scouting includes skills for both land and water.

This badge also connects to others that focus on outdoor adventure and the environment. A Scout who enjoys Scuba Diving might also try Swimming, Lifesaving, or Oceanography. These badges help Scouts explore water skills and marine science. The variety gives them many paths to follow.

Learn More about Scouts BSA

The Scuba Diving merit badge supports the larger Scouts BSA program by building fitness, focus, and discipline. Scouts learn to check gear, follow plans, and stay calm under pressure. These habits support leadership and personal growth.

It also supports citizenship and stewardship. Scouts learn how underwater life is affected by human choices. They see how careful behavior protects fragile environments. This helps them become thoughtful and responsible members of their troop and community.

What is the Scuba Diving merit badge?

The Scuba Diving merit badge teaches Scouts the skills and knowledge needed to scuba dive safely. You will learn about diving equipment, underwater safety, and marine ecosystems. You will also earn an Open Water Diver Certification as part of the requirements.

Do I need to know how to swim to earn the Scuba Diving merit badge?

Yes, you must earn the Swimming merit badge first. This ensures you are confident in the water and have the basic skills needed for scuba diving.

What is an Open Water Diver Certification?

It is a certification from a scuba organization like PADI or NAUI. It shows you have learned how to scuba dive safely and can dive to a depth of 60 feet with a buddy. This is a requirement for the Scuba Diving merit badge.

Is scuba diving safe?

Scuba diving is safe when you follow the rules, use proper equipment, and dive within your training limits. The Scuba Diving merit badge teaches you how to avoid common dangers and handle emergencies.

How long does it take to earn the Scuba Diving merit badge?

It depends on your schedule and the availability of scuba classes. Completing the Open Water Diver Certification usually takes several days of lessons and practice dives.

Do I need my own scuba gear for the Scuba Diving merit badge?

No, most scuba courses provide rental gear. However, you may need to bring personal items like a mask, snorkel, and fins. Your instructor will let you know what is required.

What will I learn about the underwater environment?

You will learn about aquatic ecosystems, marine life, and how to protect these environments. The Scuba Diving merit badge helps you become a responsible diver who respects the ocean.

Are there any age restrictions for earning the Scuba Diving merit badge?

Yes, most scuba certification organizations require you to be at least 10 or 12 years old. Check with your merit badge counselor for specific age requirements.

What careers can I explore with scuba diving skills?

Careers include scuba instructor, marine biologist, underwater photographer, or commercial diver. The Scuba Diving merit badge introduces you to these exciting opportunities.

Why should I earn the Scuba Diving merit badge?

The Scuba Diving merit badge is your chance to explore a new world underwater, learn valuable skills, and gain confidence in the water. It’s an adventure and a skill you can use for a lifetime!

The Scuba Diving merit badge takes you on an exciting journey underwater. It teaches you how to scuba dive safely while exploring a whole new world. You’ll learn to use special equipment, like air tanks and masks, and practice skills such as controlling your movement and communicating underwater. This badge is perfect for Scouts who love adventure and want to try something new.

To earn the Scuba Diving merit badge, you must complete an Open Water Diver Certification. This training gives you real-world experience with scuba diving and ensures you know how to stay safe. You’ll practice in both confined water, like a pool, and open water, such as a lake or ocean. Along the way, you’ll gain confidence and have fun exploring underwater environments.

The badge also teaches you about aquatic ecosystems. You’ll discover how coral reefs, kelp forests, and other habitats work. You’ll learn why it’s important to protect these ecosystems and how to be a responsible diver. You’ll also discuss first aid, safety rules, and career opportunities in scuba diving.

Earning the Scuba Diving merit badge is a great way to combine fun with learning. Whether you’re swimming with tropical fish or just mastering the basics, this badge is a unique adventure that helps you grow as a Scout.