Whitewater Merit Badge Requirements
Learn whitewater safety, paddle techniques, river reading, and navigation through rapids. Master rescue skills and complete guided trips to earn this merit badge.

Requirements
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Copy link to requirement 1Do the following:
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Copy link to requirement 1.aExplain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in whitewater activities, including branches and trees in water along a shore and stretching across the stream, rocks, hydraulics over ledges or lowhead dams, strong wind, low water or air temperature, and thunder and lightning storms. Explain what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
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Copy link to requirement 1.bReview with your counselor the prevention, symptoms, and first aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in whitewater activities including cold-water shock; hypothermia; head, neck, and back injuries; heat-related illnesses; sunburn; dehydration; blisters; bruises; cuts; sprains and strains; shoulder dislocation; and submersion injuries.
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Copy link to requirement 1.cDiscuss with your counselor the Scouting America Safety Afloat policy and the American Whitewater safety guidelines, including the use of helmet and life jackets.
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Copy link to requirement 1.a
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Copy link to requirement 2Do the following:
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Copy link to requirement 2.aDemonstrate understanding of the following river features by drawing lines to show the flow of water: upstream V, downstream V, riffle, eddy with an eddy line, ledge, river bend, shallows, current at different depths, drop, horizon line, and hydraulic.
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Copy link to requirement 2.bDescribe how waves form including standing waves and wave trains.
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Copy link to requirement 2.cExplain how to tilt or edge the boat without leaning your body
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Copy link to requirement 2.c.1When entering and exiting an eddy.
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Copy link to requirement 2.c.2When ferrying in downstream and upstream directions.
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Copy link to requirement 2.c.1
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Copy link to requirement 2.dExplain when, why, and how you should scout a river while ashore, while on the river, and when you should portage your boat.
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Copy link to requirement 2.a
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Copy link to requirement 3Before doing requirements 4 through 12, earn the Canoeing merit badge if you will be using a canoe to earn this merit badge. If you will be using a kayak, earn the Kayaking merit badge. Then do ONE of the following:
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Copy link to requirement 3.aIf you will be using a canoe to earn this merit badge, demonstrate strokes and maneuvers from the Canoeing merit badge to the satisfaction of your counselor.
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Copy link to requirement 3.bIf you will be using a kayak to earn this merit badge, demonstrate strokes and maneuvers from the Kayaking merit badge to the satisfaction of your counselor.
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Copy link to requirement 3.a
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Copy link to requirement 4Do ONE of the following:
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Copy link to requirement 5Do the following:
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Copy link to requirement 5.aExplain the International Scale of River Difficulty and apply the scale to the stretch of river approved by your counselor.
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Copy link to requirement 5.bIdentify the specific characteristics of the river that are factors in your classification according to the International Scale.
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Copy link to requirement 5.cDiscuss how the level of flow changes a river from one class to another and what effects different flow rates have on the features of a river and its hazards.
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Copy link to requirement 5.a
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Copy link to requirement 6Explain the importance of communication during every whitewater outing. Demonstrate knowledge and ability to use the following American Whitewater Universal River Signals, both visual and auditory: “Stop,” “Are you OK?,” “Help/emergency,” “Run river right,” “Run river left,” and “All clear—come ahead.”
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Copy link to requirement 7Do ONE of the following:
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Copy link to requirement 7.aIf completing this merit badge in a canoe, describe the various types of canoes used on moving water and how they differ in design, materials, and purpose.
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Copy link to requirement 7.bIf completing this merit badge in a kayak, describe the various types of kayaks used on moving water and explain how they differ in design, materials, and purpose.
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Copy link to requirement 7.a
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Copy link to requirement 8Review with your counselor the personal and group equipment necessary for a safe whitewater outing and how and why it is used.
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Copy link to requirement 9Demonstrate your ability to read a Class II section of river approved by your counselor. Describe the most desirable paths or lines of travel as well as alternative routes and options. Point out how to use the existing water features to your advantage, and explain how to best avoid the hazards present.
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Copy link to requirement 10Wearing a proper life jacket and being appropriately dressed for the weather and water conditions, perform the following skills in moving water in a properly equipped whitewater craft of your choice (tandem canoe, solo canoe, or solo kayak). If a tandem canoe is used, the skills must be demonstrated from both the bow and stern positions.
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Copy link to requirement 10.aLaunch and land.
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Copy link to requirement 10.bPaddle forward in a straight line at least 10 boat lengths.
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Copy link to requirement 10.cBackpaddle in a straight line at least five boat lengths.
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Copy link to requirement 10.dFerry upstream from both sides of the river.
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Copy link to requirement 10.eFerry downstream from both sides of the river.
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Copy link to requirement 10.fEddy turn from both sides of an eddy.
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Copy link to requirement 10.gPeel out from both sides of an eddy.
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Copy link to requirement 10.a
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Copy link to requirement 11Explain and demonstrate the following to your counselor:
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Copy link to requirement 11.aSelf-rescue and procedures when capsized in moving water, including a wet exit if necessary
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Copy link to requirement 11.bProper use of a throw rope to rescue a swimmer in whitewater
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Copy link to requirement 11.cProper technique for receiving a throw rope as a swimmer
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Copy link to requirement 11.dPortaging-where portaging would be appropriate, and when and how to do it
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Copy link to requirement 11.eThe whitewater buddy system using at least three persons and three craft.
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Copy link to requirement 11.a
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Copy link to requirement 12Participate in one or more whitewater trips using either a canoe or kayak on a Class I and/or Class II river. The trip(s) must involve at least six hours of paddling time. For each trip:
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Copy link to requirement 12.aHelp to prepare a written plan, specifying the route (put-ins and takeouts), schedule, equipment, safety precautions, and emergency procedures.
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Copy link to requirement 12.bDetermine local rules and obtain permission from landowners and land managers in advance.
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Copy link to requirement 12.cExplain what steps have been taken to comply with Scouting America Safety Afloat and the American Whitewater safety guidelines.
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Copy link to requirement 12.dShow how to protect personal and group equipment from water and how to load and secure the containers in boats to be used in the trip. Execute the plans with other paddlers.
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Copy link to requirement 12.eExplain to your counselor how well your plans worked for each trip taken.
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Copy link to requirement 12.a