Climbing Merit Badge Requirements

Requirements

1. # Copy link to requirement 1
   Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 1.a
      Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in climbing and rappelling activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 1.b
      Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could occur during climbing activities, including heat and cold reactions, dehydration, stopped breathing, sprains, abrasions, fractures, rope burns, blisters, snakebite, concussions, and insect bites or stings.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 1.c
      Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person.
2. # Copy link to requirement 2
   Learn the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code and explain what they mean.
3. # Copy link to requirement 3
   Present yourself properly dressed for belaying, climbing, and rappelling. Explain why you are wearing each piece of gear and discuss qualities of easy movement, entanglement free and good weather protection and comfort.
4. # Copy link to requirement 4
   Location. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 4.a
      Explain how the difficulty of climbs is classified, and apply classifications to the rock faces or walls where you will demonstrate your climbing skills.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 4.b
      Explain the following: top-rope climbing, lead climbing, and bouldering.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 4.c
      Evaluate the safety of a particular climbing area. Consider weather, visibility, the condition of the climbing surface, and any other environmental hazards.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 4.d
      Determine how to summon aid to the climbing area in case of an emergency. Discuss what medical training is needed for your group when climbing and rappelling in remote areas.
5. # Copy link to requirement 5
   Verbal signals. Explain the importance of using verbal signals during every climb and rappel, and while bouldering. With the help of the counselor or another Scout, demonstrate the verbal signals used by each of the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 5.a
      Climbers
   2. # Copy link to requirement 5.b
      Rappellers
   3. # Copy link to requirement 5.c
      Belayers
   4. # Copy link to requirement 5.d
      Boulderers and their spotters.
6. # Copy link to requirement 6
   Rope. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 6.a
      Describe the kinds of rope acceptable for use in climbing and rappelling.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 6.b
      Show how to examine a rope for signs of wear or damage.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 6.c
      Discuss ways to prevent a rope from being damaged.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 6.d
      Explain when and how a rope should be retired.
   5. # Copy link to requirement 6.e
      Properly coil a rope.
7. # Copy link to requirement 7
   Knots. Demonstrate the ability to tie each of the following knots. Give at least one example of how each knot is used in belaying, climbing, or rappelling.
   1. # Copy link to requirement 7.a
      Figure eight on a bight
   2. # Copy link to requirement 7.b
      Figure eight follow-through
   3. # Copy link to requirement 7.c
      Water knot
   4. # Copy link to requirement 7.d
      Double fisherman’s knot (grapevine knot)
   5. # Copy link to requirement 7.e
      Prusik hitch applied to rope.
8. # Copy link to requirement 8
   Harness, Helmet & Gloves. Explain the purpose of each of the following and demonstrate how to put them on correctly.
   1. # Copy link to requirement 8.a
      Commercially made climbing harness
   2. # Copy link to requirement 8.b
      Climbing helmet
   3. # Copy link to requirement 8.c
      Climbing or rappelling gloves.
9. # Copy link to requirement 9
   Identify the elements of the CHECK system and describe the meaning of each one to your counselor.
10. # Copy link to requirement 10
    Belaying. Do the following:
    1. # Copy link to requirement 10.a
       Explain the importance of belaying climbers and rappellers and when it is necessary.
    2. # Copy link to requirement 10.b
       Belay three different climbers on three different routes.
    3. # Copy link to requirement 10.c
       Serve as a backup belayer on three different climbs.
    4. # Copy link to requirement 10.d
       Belay three different rappellers on three different routes.
    5. # Copy link to requirement 10.e
       Serve as a backup belayer on three different rappels.
11. # Copy link to requirement 11
    Climbing. Do the following:
    1. # Copy link to requirement 11.a
       Show the correct way to directly tie a belay rope to your harness.
    2. # Copy link to requirement 11.b
       Climb at least three different routes on a rock face or climbing wall, demonstrating good technique and using verbal signals with a belayer.
12. # Copy link to requirement 12
    Rappelling. Do the following:
    1. # Copy link to requirement 12.a
       Show the correct way to directly tie a belay rope to your harness.
    2. # Copy link to requirement 12.b
       Using a carabiner and a rappel device, attach a rappel rope to your harness.
    3. # Copy link to requirement 12.c
       Rappel down three different rock faces or three rappel routes on a climbing wall. Use verbal signals to communicate with a belayer, and demonstrate good rappelling technique.
13. # Copy link to requirement 13
    Demonstrate ways to store rope, hardware, and other gear used for climbing, rappelling, and belaying.