Arrow of Light First Aid Adventure
Adventure Type: Required
Number of Requirements: 7
Typical Time to Complete: 1–2 meetings
Parent Involvement: Permission for safety video
Preparation Needed: Moderate
Activity Level: Low to high
Indoor or Outdoor: Mostly indoor, optional off-site visit
Special Requirements: Safety video, first aid demonstrations, personal first aid kit
Supplies Snapshot: Video device, bandages, gauze, gloves, first aid kit supplies
The Arrow of Light First Aid adventure teaches Scouts how to respond when someone is hurt or becomes seriously ill. They learn what to do first, how to get help, and how to stay calm in an emergency.
Scouts practice skills for serious situations, including heavy bleeding, choking, stopped breathing, stroke, poisoning, and shock. They also learn how to treat common injuries such as cuts, burns, bites, stings, and nosebleeds.
The adventure also covers personal safety and first aid supplies. Scouts watch the Protect Yourself Rules video, make a personal first aid kit, and show how to use each item.
Requirements for the Arrow of Light First Aid Adventure
First Aid Adventure Requirements
- With permission from your parent or legal guardian, watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for the Arrow of Light rank.
- Explain what you should do if you encounter someone in need of first aid.
- Demonstrate what to do for hurry cases of first aid: serious bleeding, heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, stopped breathing, stroke, poisoning.
- Demonstrate how to help a choking victim.
- Demonstrate how to treat shock.
- Demonstrate how to treat the following: cuts and scratches, burns and scalds, bites and stings of insects and animals, and nosebleed.
- Make a personal first aid kit. Demonstrate the proper use of each item.
Printable requirements for the Arrow of Light First Aid Adventure
Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den's progress on the Arrow of Light First Aid Adventure
Printable checkoff sheet for the Arrow of Light Rank (for den or individual use)
Resources for the Arrow of Light First Aid Adventure
Arrow of Light First Aid Den Meeting Plan
This Arrow of Light First Aid den meeting is a hands-on way for Scouts to learn important skills. They will practice how to handle emergencies, from treating cuts and burns to responding to choking and serious medical situations. Scouts will also build their own first aid kits and learn how to use each item. These activities help them feel more confident and prepared.
The meeting includes fun, interactive lessons that keep Scouts engaged. They will work in teams, act out emergency scenarios, and take part in hands-on demonstrations. A simple snack break keeps energy up, and the closing discussion ties everything back to the Scout Law. By the end of the meeting, Scouts will understand how to stay calm, take action, and help others in need. This adventure teaches responsibility and builds life-saving skills that will serve them well in Scouting and beyond.
See the free Arrow of Light First Aid den meeting plan here.
More Ways to Complete the Requirements
Requirement 1: Protect Yourself Rules
With permission from your parent or legal guardian, watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for the Arrow of Light rank.
Help families understand that a parent or legal guardian must give permission before the Scout watches the video. After viewing, ask a few simple questions about trusted adults, unsafe situations, and when to ask for help.
Easy Option: Send the video link to families before the meeting. Ask parents to confirm when their Scout has watched it.
More resources:
Requirement 2: Helping Someone Who Needs First Aid
Explain what you should do if you encounter someone in need of first aid.
Teach Scouts to stop, check that the area is safe, and get an adult. Remind them that their first job is to avoid becoming injured themselves and to call 911 when the situation is serious.
Easy Option: Give each Scout a simple emergency situation and ask them to explain what they would do first.
More resources:
Requirement 3: First Aid Hurry Cases
Demonstrate what to do for hurry cases of first aid: serious bleeding, heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, stopped breathing, stroke, poisoning.
Focus on recognizing that serious bleeding, heart problems, stopped breathing, stroke, and poisoning require immediate help. Scouts do not need to act like medical professionals. They should know how to call 911, follow instructions, and use only the skills they have been taught.
Easy Option: Set up five stations with one hurry case at each. Have Scouts rotate through the stations and explain or demonstrate the first steps.
More options:
- “Hurry” Cases: Cub Scouts demonstrate what to do for first aid “hurry” cases.
- Visit a Paramedic: Visit an emergency services station and do some hands-on learning from a professional
Requirement 4: Choking
Demonstrate how to help a choking victim.
Show Scouts how to recognize the difference between someone who is coughing and someone who cannot breathe, speak, or make a sound. Use a trainer, mannequin, or careful demonstration rather than having Scouts practice thrusts on one another.
Easy Option: Invite a trained first aid instructor, nurse, EMT, or firefighter to demonstrate choking care.
More ideas:
- Heimlich Maneuver: Cub Scouts demonstrate how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
Requirement 5: Shock
Demonstrate how to treat shock.
Explain that shock can happen after a serious injury or illness. Scouts should call for help, keep the person still and warm, offer reassurance, and avoid giving food or drink.
Easy Option: Have one Scout act as the injured person while another demonstrates calling for help, using a blanket, and staying nearby. See Shock First Aid.
Requirement 6: Common Injuries
Demonstrate how to treat the following: cuts and scratches, burns and scalds, bites and stings of insects and animals, and nosebleed.
Use hands-on practice to teach care for cuts, burns, bites, stings, and nosebleeds. Keep the steps simple, and remind Scouts to get adult help when an injury is serious, does not improve, or involves an animal bite or allergic reaction.
Easy Option: Demonstrate one injury at a time, then have Scouts practice with bandages, gauze, clean cloths, and cold packs. See Common First Aid Practices.
Requirement 7: Personal First Aid Kit
Make a personal first-aid kit. Demonstrate the proper use of each item in your first-aid kit.
Ask Scouts to build a small kit with items they are likely to use on outings or at home. Review each item and have Scouts explain what it is for instead of simply placing supplies in a bag.
Easy Option: Give each Scout a zip-top bag and a small set of basic supplies. As each item is added, ask the group how it should be used.
More resources:
- First Aid Kits: More about assembling a first aid kit.
- DIY First Aid Kit: Cub Scouts make and demonstrate the use of a first aid kit.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Arrow of Light First Aid Adventure
What is the purpose of the First Aid Adventure?
The First Aid Adventure teaches Arrow of Light Scouts how to handle emergencies and take care of injuries. It helps them be prepared and know what to do to help others.
Do Scouts need to complete all the requirements to earn the adventure pin?
Yes, Scouts need to complete all listed requirements to earn the First Aid Adventure badge. Each step is important for learning how to handle different first aid situations.
Can parents help with the First Aid Adventure?
Yes, parents are encouraged to help, especially by watching the Protect Yourself Rules video with their Scout and discussing it afterward.
What should we do if we don’t have all the items for the first aid kit?
You can start with what you have and slowly add more items over time. Many items can be found at local drugstores or supermarkets.
How often should first aid skills be practiced?
It’s a good idea to practice first aid skills regularly, at least once a year. This helps Scouts remember what to do in an emergency.
Band-Aids, Bug Bites, and Brave Scouts
The Arrow of Light First Aid adventure is a crucial part of the Cub Scout program for Scouts preparing to transition to Scouts BSA. This adventure equips them with essential skills to handle emergency situations effectively and safely. It’s designed to make Scouts more aware and prepared to deal with unexpected injuries and health issues, whether on a campout or in daily life.
During this adventure, Scouts learn through practical, hands-on experience. They start by watching the “Protect Yourself Rules” video, which educates them about personal safety and the importance of recognizing dangerous situations.
The core of the adventure involves learning how to respond to various medical emergencies, including serious bleeding, heart attacks, strokes, and cases of poisoning. Scouts practice techniques for dealing with these emergencies until help arrives, which builds their confidence and skills. They also learn how to treat more common injuries like cuts, burns, and insect bites.
Furthermore, Scouts put together their own first aid kits. They select items for the kit, such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, and gloves, and learn how to use each item. This activity not only teaches them about the tools needed for first aid but also about responsibility and preparedness.
The First Aid adventure prepares Arrow of Light Scouts to be attentive, responsible, and ready to act in emergencies. It’s a vital step in their development as young leaders and responsible citizens, embodying the Scout motto to “Be Prepared.”
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