Lifesaving teaches you how to help someone in trouble in the water while keeping yourself safe. You'll learn to reach, throw, and only then go, and you'll practice real rescue skills. It's challenging, but it builds strong swimming and calm thinking.
Why it's worth it
Drowning is often silent and fast, and the person who knows what to do in those first seconds can change everything. Lifesaving trains you to spot trouble, help from the shore whenever you can, and handle a real rescue in the water without becoming a second victim. It's one of the most demanding badges, and finishing it makes you a strong swimmer and a calm thinker. Many Scouts go on to lifeguard at camp or a local pool, a great first job.
Start this week
- If you haven't earned Swimming merit badge yet, find out when your troop or summer camp is offering it, since it's part of requirement 2.
- Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of a Lifesaving counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
- Go to a supervised pool this week and time how long it takes you to swim 100 yards without stopping, as a starting point for the 400.
- Learn the rescue order, reach, throw, row, go, and explain it to someone at home.
Plan ahead: Requirement 2 needs Swimming merit badge and a 400-yard swim, so earn Swimming first and build your distance a few times a week. Many Scouts then do the in-water requirements at summer camp.
Stay safe
- Practice every in-water skill with a qualified aquatics instructor at a guarded pool or waterfront, never on your own.
- In a real emergency, call for help first and use reaching, throwing, or a boat before swimming. Don't attempt a rescue beyond your training.
Requirements · 17
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab) (updated 2025).
- Requirement 1
Before starting requirements 3–15, go over the Safe Swim Defense principles with your counselor
Tip: Learn each point of Safe Swim Defense and be able to explain why it matters at any swim outing.
For example: Walk through Safe Swim Defense at a troop lake swim: qualified supervision, a health check, a marked swim area by ability, lookouts, buddy pairs with regular buddy checks, and clear rules everyone hears before getting in.
- Requirement 2
Before requirements 3–15
Tips for this section: Build up your distance a little each week. Mixing strokes helps you stay strong for longer swims.
- Requirement 2a
Earn the Swimming merit badge
- Requirement 2b
Swim 400 yards without stopping, doing at least 50 continuous yards each of sidestroke, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and front crawl, strongly, with good form and rhythmic breathing
- Requirement 3
Drowning and rescue basics
Tips for this section: Learn the signs that someone is struggling, since drowning is often quiet. Remember the order: reach, throw, row, and only then go.
Example for this section: Describe what a drowning person looks like: upright in the water, head back, mouth at the surface, arms pressing down, unable to call for help. Contrast that with a distressed swimmer who can still wave and shout.
- Requirement 3a
Explain common drowning situations, such as unfenced home pools, drop-offs, river and rip currents, and medical emergencies, and how to avoid them
- Requirement 3b
Explain how to recognize someone in the water who needs help
- Requirement 3c
Explain the order in which water rescue methods are tried
- Requirement 3d
Explain how rescue methods differ depending on where you are and how the person in trouble is doing
- Requirement 3e
Explain when you should not attempt an in-water rescue
- Requirement 4
Demonstrate reaching rescues with different items, such as your arm or leg, a towel, a shirt, a paddle, or a pole
Tip: Practice reaching with a pole, towel, or your arm while staying low and balanced on the deck.
For example: From a pool deck, lie flat or stay low, brace yourself, and extend a pole, towel, or your arm to a buddy acting as a victim. Talk to them the whole time: "Grab the pole. I've got you."
- Requirement 5
Demonstrate throwing rescues with items like a throw line, a ring buoy, a rescue bag, and a free-floating support. Land at least one so a practice victim 25 feet from shore can grab it
Tip: Throw a ring buoy or throw bag at a target over and over until your aim is reliable.
For example: Throw a ring buoy or throw bag at a target several body lengths away, aiming past and beyond the person so the line lands across their reach. Coil it and throw again until you can hit the mark several times in a row.
- Requirement 6
With your counselor's OK, watch a rowing rescue (in person or on video) done from a canoe, kayak, rowboat, or stand-up paddleboard, and discuss with your counselor how well and efficiently it was done
Tip: Watch closely how the rescuer approaches and helps the person aboard without tipping the boat.
- Requirement 7
List items you could use as aids in a go rescue and explain why aids that float are preferred
Tip: Make a list of rescue aids and think about why having something that floats between you and the person keeps you safer.
For example: List go-rescue aids like a rescue tube, ring buoy, kickboard, or even a picnic cooler. Explain that something that floats keeps space between you and a panicked person, so they grab the aid instead of you.
- Requirement 8
Rescues with buoyant aids (conscious subject)
Tips for this section: Practice with a buddy acting as the subject, and always keep the buoyant aid between you.
- Requirement 8a
Rescue a conscious practice subject 30 feet out in deep water with one of two buoyant aids from your counselor: enter properly, swim a strong approach, talk to them to check their condition and give directions and encouragement, hand over the aid, let go, and stay a safe distance away as they reach safety
- Requirement 8b
In a separate rescue of a conscious subject 30 feet out in deep water, use the other buoyant aid: enter properly, swim a strong approach, talk to them to check their condition and give directions and encouragement, then tow them to safety with the aid
- Requirement 9
Discuss with your counselor when to take off heavy clothes before a swimming rescue. Then get out of your street clothes within 20 seconds, enter, approach a conscious subject 30 feet out in deep water, talk to them, and tow them to safety using something that doesn't float, like a towel or shirt
Tip: Practice in the pool with an instructor present, removing shoes and heavy clothes calmly and quickly.
For example: Practice on the deck of a guarded pool with your instructor: get out of your shoes and outer clothes in 20 seconds or less, enter, and tow a buddy to safety holding a towel or shirt. Talk about when it's worth the time to undress and when you should go in as you are.
- Requirement 10
Discuss with your counselor why you should avoid contact with an active (struggling) subject, and demonstrate lead-and-wait techniques
Tip: Practice staying at a safe distance and talking to the subject while you wait for the right moment.
For example: With a buddy playing a struggling swimmer, swim out with a rescue tube and stop just out of reach. Talk calmly and push the tube to them. If they lunge for you, back away and wait until they're holding the tube and calmer before you tow them in.
- Requirement 11
Rescues without equipment (conscious subject)
Tips for this section: Practice with your instructor and a trusted buddy, and go slowly until each move feels natural.
- Requirement 11a
Starting in the water near a conscious subject 30 feet out, talk to them to check how they are and coach them, then do an armpit tow of a calm, responsive, tired swimmer resting on their back
- Requirement 11b
Starting in the water near a conscious subject 30 feet out, talk to them to check how they are and coach them, then do a cross-chest carry of an exhausted, responsive swimmer treading water
- Requirement 12
In deep water, show how to break free when a victim grabs your wrist, then do the same for front and rear holds around your head and shoulders
Tip: Learn escapes in shallow water first with your instructor, then move to deep water when you're ready.
- Requirement 13
Rescuing an unconscious subject
Tips for this section: Practice the approach and tow with a buddy, keeping the subject's face clear of the water.
- Requirement 13a
Equipment assist with a buoyant aid: for an unconscious subject 30 feet out, enter properly, approach strongly, talk and splash before touching, then quickly get them out (with help if needed) and ready for CPR
- Requirement 13b
Front approach and wrist tow: for an unconscious subject 30 feet out, enter properly, approach strongly, talk and splash before touching, then quickly get them out (with help if needed) and ready for CPR
- Requirement 13c
Rear approach and armpit tow: for an unconscious subject 30 feet out, enter properly, approach strongly, talk and splash before touching, then quickly get them out (with help if needed) and ready for CPR
- Requirement 14
Discuss with your counselor what to do if a victim sinks out of sight before a rescuer gets there, and complete 14a and 14b
Tip: Practice surface dives in a supervised pool, coming up slowly and checking your surroundings.
- Requirement 14a
Using a feetfirst surface dive, bring up a 10-pound weight from 8 to 10 feet of water
- Requirement 14b
Do it again with a headfirst surface dive
- Requirement 15
Spinal injury management (shown to your counselor)
Tips for this section: Work as a team with your instructor guiding you, moving slowly and keeping the subject's head and neck still.
- Requirement 15a
Discuss what causes spinal injuries and their signs and symptoms
- Requirement 15b
Support a faceup subject in calm water you can stand in
- Requirement 15c
In water you can stand in, roll a subject from facedown to faceup while keeping them supported
- Requirement 16
Resuscitation
Tips for this section: Take a CPR course from a certified instructor so you can practice on manikins.
- Requirement 16a
Describe how to tell when someone needs rescue breathing and CPR
- Requirement 16b
Show your CPR skills, rescue breathing included, on a mannequin, guided by a current CPR/AED instructor trained through a nationally certified provider
- Requirement 17
Discuss with your counselor the causes, prevention, and treatment of other swimming and boating injuries and illnesses, including hypothermia, dehydration, heat illnesses, muscle cramps, sunburn, stings, and hyperventilation
Tip: Talk through common injuries like cramps, hypothermia, and cuts, and how you'd care for each.
For example: Pick injuries you could see around water, like a cramp, a cut from a rock, hypothermia after a cold swim, or a sunburn, and explain how you'd recognize and treat each one until help arrives.
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A pool running a lifeguard training class
Watching older teens practice rescues and spinal management shows you what the next level of training looks like.
How: Have an adult ask the aquatics director whether a few Scouts could observe part of a class from the deck.
A fire department with a water rescue team
Rescuers can show the boats, ropes, and suits they use and explain how they keep themselves safe during a rescue.
How: Have an adult call the station's non-emergency number and ask about a visit for your patrol.
Where it can lead
- LifeguardKeeps swimmers safe at pools, camps, and beaches; training can start in the mid-teens.
- Aquatics directorRuns a pool or waterfront, trains lifeguards, and plans safety programs.
- Swim instructorTeaches people of all ages to swim, often alongside lifeguarding.
- Coast Guard rescue swimmerJumps from helicopters to rescue people at sea; one of the toughest jobs in the military.
- Firefighter or EMTResponds to emergencies, including water rescues and medical calls.
Ask yourself
- How do you feel about being the person others count on near the water?
- Which rescue skill felt hardest, and what helped you get better at it?
- Why do you think reaching and throwing come before swimming out to someone?
- How has this badge changed what you notice at a pool, lake, or beach?
- Would you like to become a lifeguard someday, and what would you need to get there?
Good questions to ask a lifeguard or aquatics instructor
- What signs tell you someone is in trouble before they start to struggle?
- What's the hardest part of staying alert for a whole shift?
- Have you ever had to make a rescue, and what was going through your mind?
- What do new lifesavers get wrong most often?
- How can I keep my swimming and rescue skills sharp after I finish the badge?
Helpful reads
- Earning a merit badge, step by step, From picking a badge to getting the final signature: how to find a counselor, set up meetings safely, work the requirements, and keep your progress., Youth · Families · 6 min read
- Contacting counselors, experts, and organizations, Email and phone scripts, who to ask for, how to follow up, and how to say thanks, with a parent copied every time., Youth · Families · 7 min read
- Choosing your next merit badge, How to pick a badge you'll actually finish: start with what you care about, balance Eagle-required and just-for-fun badges, and make the most of camp., Youth · Families · 6 min read
For leaders & parents
- All in-water practice should be led by a qualified aquatics instructor at a guarded pool or waterfront.
- Many councils offer Lifesaving at summer camp; help scouts prepare their swimming beforehand.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- American Red Cross (opens in a new tab) — Swimming, lifeguarding, and CPR classes.
- Local pool or YMCA — Supervised practice time and swim lessons.
- Scouting America (opens in a new tab) — Official requirements and program updates.
- Guide to Safe Scouting: Aquatics Safety (opens in a new tab) — Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat, the rules every Scout swim and boating trip follows.
- American Red Cross CPR Classes (opens in a new tab) — Find a CPR class near you to practice on manikins with a certified instructor.
- NWS Rip Current Safety (opens in a new tab) — How to spot rip currents and help someone caught in one.
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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.