Search and Rescue Merit Badge Requirements

Requirements

1. # Copy link to requirement 1
   Hazards and First Aid. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 1.a
      Show or explain first aid for, and prevention of, injuries and conditions that searchers and subjects could develop during an SAR situation, including:
      1. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.1
         Dehydration
      2. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.2
         Heatstroke
      3. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.3
         Hypothermia
      4. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.4
         Shock
      5. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.5
         Blisters
      6. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.6
         Eye injuries
      7. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.7
         Ankle and knee sprains
      8. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.8
         Bug bites of chiggers, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting gnats
      9. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.9
         Bee stings
      10. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.10
          Bites of spiders
      11. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.11
          Sting of a scorpion
      12. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.12
          Bite of a wild mammal
      13. # Copy link to requirement 1.a.13
          Bite of a venomous snake.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 1.b
      Explain how the Scout Essentials address hazards outdoors and help lost Scouts stay safe before they are rescued.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 1.c
      Discuss how the safety gear carried by SAR team members in their field packs address SAR hazards.
2. # Copy link to requirement 2
   Staying and Getting Found. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 2.a
      Explain how a trip plan and the buddy system help Scouts with staying found and getting found.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 2.b
      Explain how seasonal and daily weather changes affect Trip Plans.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 2.c
      Explain and show how a lost Scout could send signals that would alert a ground, airborne, or water SAR team to their location.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 2.d
      Demonstrate how to use a signaling mirror.
   5. # Copy link to requirement 2.e
      Explain how a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) works and the role of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC).
3. # Copy link to requirement 3
   Maps. Using a map, a compass and a GPS device or app approved by your counselor, do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 3.a
      Point out and explain the 5 D’s (Date, Description, Details, Direction or Declination, Distance) of the map.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 3.b
      Choose a location on the map and record the altitude, latitude, longitude, and US National Grid coordinates. Describe how these coordinate systems differ.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 3.c
      Orient the map and take a bearing to another map location. Estimate the distance between, and describe the terrain between, the two locations.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 3.d
      Show a hypothetical place last seen and point out an area on your map that could be used for containment using natural or human-made boundaries.
4. # Copy link to requirement 4
   Incident Command System (ICS). Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 4.a
      Explain how a local ICS is organized and how it compares with Scouting’s patrol method.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 4.b
      Explain how local community agencies work to train for and manage search and rescue situations.
5. # Copy link to requirement 5
   SAR Teams. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 5.a
      Explain the official duties of a search and rescue team.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 5.b
      Explain the differences between wilderness, urban, and water SARs.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 5.c
      Identify four types of search and rescue teams and explain situations where they are used.
6. # Copy link to requirement 6
   Search and Rescue Procedures. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 6.a
      Explain the difference between search and rescue.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 6.b
      Explain the difference between PLS (place last seen) and LKP (last known point)
   3. # Copy link to requirement 6.c
      Explain the importance of effective communication in SAR operations.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 6.d
      Explain how predictions of “lost person behavior” determine SAR search plans for a young child, a teenager, and an adult.
   5. # Copy link to requirement 6.e
      Explain the following terms:
      1. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.1
         Evaluating search urgency
      2. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.2
         Establishing confinement
      3. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.3
         Scent item
      4. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.4
         Area air scent dog
      5. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.5
         Briefing and debriefing
      6. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.6
         Clue awareness
      7. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.7
         Evidence preservation
      8. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.8
         Tracking a subject
      9. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.9
         Locating a subject using attraction
      10. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.10
          Hasty search
      11. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.11
          Trail sweep search
      12. # Copy link to requirement 6.e.12
          Grid search.
7. # Copy link to requirement 7
   Plan and Complete a Search. Do the following with a team of Scouts, friends, or family to execute a practice SAR exercise:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 7.a
      Choose a hypothetical SAR scenario, either one presented in the Search and Rescue merit badge pamphlet or one approved by your counselor.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 7.b
      Develop an Incident Action Plan (IAP) for a hasty search using the scenario information.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 7.c
      Before the search begins, conduct a PAUSE briefing to review hazards, safety concerns, personal and shared Scout Essentials, and other gear.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 7.d
      Execute the search.
   5. # Copy link to requirement 7.e
      After the search, hold a team debriefing to discuss the search, problems, successful and unsuccessful tactics, and ideas for improvement.
8. # Copy link to requirement 8
   Careers. Do ONE of the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 8.a
      Explore careers related to Search and Rescue merit badge or emergency management. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. With permission of your parent or guardian, your research methods may include an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 8.b
      Explore how you could use knowledge and skills from this merit badge to serve as a volunteer on a disaster relief team, a wilderness rescue team, or a ski patrol. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursue this.