Develop the Skills to Save a Life

Lifesaving requires strong swimming abilities, physical endurance, and the confidence to respond to aquatic emergencies. Scouts will practice rescue techniques, learn how to assist a person in distress, and develop the judgment needed to act safely and effectively.

This Eagle-required merit badge is physically demanding. Scouts must be at least 13 years old and have already earned the Swimming Merit Badge before attending.

Physical Skills & Course Requirements

Scouts should arrive prepared for challenging swimming and rescue activities, including:

• Demonstrating endurance through sustained swimming using multiple strokes.
• Performing several rescue techniques, including assisting a person acting unconscious.
• Retrieving a 10-pound weight from lake water approximately 7–10 feet deep and returning it to the dock.
• Demonstrating the ability to respond to aquatic emergencies while maintaining personal safety.

Important: Scouts who are not comfortable with deep-water swimming, underwater retrieval, or physically demanding rescues should develop those skills before enrolling.

Prepare Before Class

Scouts should read the Lifesaving Merit Badge pamphlet and review the official requirements before attending. Be prepared to discuss emergency response, water safety, rescue procedures, and first aid.

The merit badge counselor may email additional prerequisites or discussion assignments approximately one week before class.

Before You Arrive: Required Preparation & Safety

Lifesaving Merit Badge requires advanced swimming skills, physical endurance, and careful attention to waterfront safety. Scouts and parents should review the following requirements before registering to ensure participants are prepared for the demands of the course.

Age & Merit Badge Prerequisites

Scouts must be at least 13 years old and must have already earned the Swimming Merit Badge before attending this course at Allatoona Aquatics Base.

Participants should be comfortable swimming long distances, working in deep water, and performing physically demanding rescue exercises. This is not an introductory swimming course.

Annual Health and Medical Record

Every Scout must bring a printed, completed, and parent- or guardian-signed Scouting America Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A and B). Incomplete forms must be corrected before class begins. Scouts cannot participate without the required medical documentation.

Download the Annual Health and Medical Record

Swimmer Classification Required

All participants must successfully complete the Scouting America Swim Classification Test and qualify as a Swimmer before participating in Lifesaving activities.

The Swimmer test includes:

• Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth and return to the surface.
• Swim 75 yards using one or more strong forward strokes, such as crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, or trudgen.
• Continue for 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
• Complete the full 100 yards continuously, including at least one sharp turn.
• Demonstrate the ability to rest by floating after completing the swim.

Important: The swim classification test is only the starting point. Lifesaving Merit Badge requires substantially greater swimming endurance and rescue proficiency. Passing the Swimmer test alone does not guarantee that a Scout is ready to complete the course.

Additional Physical Requirements

Scouts should be prepared to complete strenuous activities, including extended swimming, deep-water retrieval, and multiple rescue demonstrations.

One activity involves retrieving a 10-pound weight from approximately 7–10 feet of lake water and swimming back to the dock while carrying it. Other exercises require assisting a person acting unconscious.

If a Scout is not physically ready to perform these skills safely, families should consider postponing enrollment until the Scout has gained additional swimming strength and experience.

Required Footwear & Clothing

Closed-toed shoes are mandatory for Scouts, parents, and visitors at Allatoona Aquatics Base. Flip-flops, sandals, and Crocs are not permitted. Closed-toed water shoes are recommended for waterfront activities.

Scouts must also bring a complete set of street clothes to wear over their swimsuit for a timed clothing-removal exercise. The clothing should include a shirt, pants or shorts, socks, and shoes. These items may become slightly damp.

What to Bring

• Printed and signed Annual Health and Medical Record, Parts A and B
• Closed-toed water shoes suitable for waterfront activities
• Appropriate swimwear and a towel
• Shirt, pants or shorts, socks, and shoes for the clothing-removal exercise
• Change of dry clothing
• Refillable water bottle and sunscreen
• Packed lunch and snacks — food is not sold at the base
• Hat and weather-appropriate clothing
• Lifesaving Merit Badge pamphlet and completed prerequisites

Waterfront Safety & Supervision

All participants must follow the instructions of aquatics staff and merit badge counselors. Rescue exercises are conducted under supervision, and Scouts must follow established waterfront safety procedures, including the buddy system and use of appropriate rescue equipment.

Activities may be delayed, modified, or canceled because of severe weather or unsafe water conditions.

Check-In & Arrival

Check-in begins at 8:00 AM at the Main Pavilion. Please arrive on time with all required documentation and equipment.

Allatoona Aquatics Base
200 Lovingood Drive
Woodstock, GA 30189

Follow posted camp directions, observe the 12 MPH speed limit, and remember that pets are not permitted.

Prove Your Skills. Build Your Confidence.

Earning the Lifesaving Merit Badge requires Scouts to demonstrate practical rescue skills, swimming endurance, emergency response knowledge, and sound judgment. Each requirement must be completed to the satisfaction of the merit badge counselor.

Because this is a physically demanding merit badge, completion during a single class is not guaranteed. Scouts who cannot demonstrate every required skill may receive partial completion and will need to finish the outstanding requirements later.

CPR Instruction & Completion

Some requirements involve CPR knowledge and demonstration. If a qualified CPR instructor is unavailable during the scheduled class, Scouts may receive partial completion until the outstanding requirement is satisfied.

Review the official Lifesaving Merit Badge requirements in advance and arrive prepared to participate fully in all scheduled activities.

Registration & Important Policies

Advance registration is required, and class sizes are limited. Please confirm that your Scout meets the age, Swimming Merit Badge, and physical readiness requirements before registering.

Class Changes & Cancellations

Under the published event policy, final payments and attendance numbers are due 10 days before the event. Substitutions and class changes are not permitted after this deadline.

Refund Policy

Cancellations made at least 12 days before the scheduled class qualify for a full refund. Cancellations within 11 days of the event are not guaranteed a refund and are subject to Council discretion.

All class changes, cancellations, and refund requests must be submitted by email. Requests cannot be accepted by telephone.

Email: aacaquaticsmbdays@gmail.com

Skills That Could Save a Life!

Strengthen your swimming abilities, develop essential rescue skills, and gain the confidence to respond when someone needs assistance. Take the next step toward earning your Lifesaving Merit Badge at Allatoona Aquatics Base.

Registration Contact

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