Learn wilderness survival, map navigation with GPS and UTM coordinates, Incident Command System, and conduct practice search operations to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. 1. Field Safety and Self-Care

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Field Injuries and Conditions

      Do all
      Show or explain first aid for, and prevention of, injuries and conditions that searchers and subjects could develop during an SAR situation, including:
      1. 1 Dehydration
      2. 2 Heatstroke
      3. 3 Hypothermia
      4. 4 Shock
      5. 5 Blisters
      6. 6 Eye injuries
      7. 7 Ankle and knee sprains
      8. 8 Bug bites of chiggers, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting gnats
      9. 9 Bee stings
      10. 10 Bites of spiders
      11. 11 Sting of a scorpion
      12. 12 Bite of a wild mammal
      13. 13 Bite of a venomous snake
    2. b.

      Basic Essentials That Keep You Alive

      Explain how the Scout Basic Essentials address hazards outdoors and help lost Scouts stay safe before they are rescued.
    3. c.

      What Goes in an SAR Pack

      Discuss how the safety gear carried by SAR team members in their field packs address SAR hazards.

  2. 2. Staying Found and Navigating

    Staying Found and Getting Found

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Explain how a trip plan and the buddy system help Scouts with staying found and getting found.

    2. b.

      Explain how seasonal and daily weather changes affect Trip Plans.

    3. 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. d.

      Demonstrate how to use a signaling mirror.

    5. e.

      Explain how a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) works and the role of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC).

  3. 2. Staying Found and Navigating

    Reading the Map Like a Searcher

    Do all
    Using a map, a compass and a GPS device or app approved by your counselor, do the following:
    1. a.

      Point out and explain the 5 D’s (Date, Description, Details, Direction or Declination, Distance) of the map.

    2. 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. 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. 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. 4. How Search Missions Work

    How the Command System Works

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Explain how a local ICS is organized and how it compares with Scouting’s patrol method.

    2. b.

      Explain how local community agencies work to train for and manage search and rescue situations.

  5. 4. How Search Missions Work

    Who Does What on SAR Teams

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Explain the official duties of a search and rescue team.

    2. b.

      Explain the differences between wilderness, urban, and water SARs.

    3. c.

      Identify four types of search and rescue teams and explain situations where they are used.

  6. 6. Search Procedure Skills

    Choose Four Search Procedure Skills

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Search vs. Rescue

      Explain the difference between search and rescue.
    2. b.

      PLS and LKP

      Explain the difference between PLS (place last seen) and LKP (last known point)
    3. c.

      Clear Communication

      Explain the importance of effective communication in SAR operations.
    4. d.

      Lost Person Behavior

      Explain how predictions of “lost person behavior” determine SAR search plans for a young child, a teenager, and an adult.
    5. e.

      Core SAR Terms

      Do all
      Explain the following terms:
      1. 1 Evaluating search urgency
      2. 2 Establishing confinement
      3. 3 Scent item
      4. 4 Area air scent dog
      5. 5 Briefing and debriefing
      6. 6 Clue awareness
      7. 7 Evidence preservation
      8. 8 Tracking a subject
      9. 9 Locating a subject using attraction
      10. 10 Hasty search
      11. 11 Trail sweep search
      12. 12 Grid search

  7. 7. Practice Mission

    Plan and Run a Practice Search

    Do all
    Plan and Complete a Search. Do the following with a team of Scouts, friends, or family to execute a practice SAR exercise:
    1. a.

      Choose a hypothetical SAR scenario, either one presented in the Search and Rescue merit badge pamphlet or one approved by your counselor.

    2. b.

      Develop an Incident Action Plan (IAP) for a hasty search using the scenario information.

    3. c.

      Before the search begins, conduct a PAUSE briefing to review hazards, safety concerns, personal and shared Scout Basic Essentials, and other gear.

    4. d.

      Execute the search.

    5. e.

      After the search, hold a team debriefing to discuss the search, problems, successful and unsuccessful tactics, and ideas for improvement.

  8. 8. Future Paths

    Choose Your Career Path

    Choose 1
    Do ONE of the following:

    1. Research an SAR Career

      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. Volunteer Response Paths

      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.