Search and Rescue — Merit Badge

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Scout	AWARD	Req 1			Req 2					Req 3				Req 4		Req 5			Req 6					Req 7					Req 8Complete any one
Scout		1a	1b	1c	2a	2b	2c	2d	2e	3a	3b	3c	3d	4a	4b	5a	5b	5c	6a	6b	6c	6d	6e	7a	7b	7c	7d	7e	8a	8b
Finn P.First Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Jack P.Star	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Lucy L.Tenderfoot	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Oliver K.First Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Quinn B.Second Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Veronica K.Star	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□

Requirements

From the official BSA merit badge pamphlet — wording is paraphrased here. Confirm against the current pamphlet for sign-off.

View resources · shown when a requirement has any Suggest a resource · always

For the whole badge

Show/explain first aid and prevention for SAR injuries (dehydration, heatstroke, hypothermia, shock, blisters, sprains, bites, stings)

Explain how Scout Basic Essentials address outdoor hazards and keep lost Scouts safe

Discuss how SAR team field-pack safety gear addresses SAR hazards

Explain how a trip plan and buddy system help Scouts stay found and get found

Explain how seasonal and daily weather changes affect trip plans

Explain and show signals a lost Scout could send to ground, airborne, or water SAR teams

Demonstrate how to use a signaling mirror

Explain how a Personal Locator Beacon works and the AFRCC's role

Point out and explain the 5 D's of the map (Date, Description, Details, Direction/Declination, Distance)

Record a location's altitude, latitude, longitude, and USNG coordinates; describe how the systems differ

Orient the map, take a bearing to another location; estimate distance and describe terrain between

Show a hypothetical place last seen and point out a containment area using natural or human-made boundaries

Explain how a local ICS is organized and compares with Scouting's patrol method

Explain how local agencies train for and manage SAR situations

Explain the official duties of a search and rescue team

Explain the differences between wilderness, urban, and water SARs

Identify four types of SAR teams and situations where they are used

Explain the difference between search and rescue

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

Explain the importance of effective communication in SAR operations

Explain how lost-person-behavior predictions shape search plans for a child, teen, and adult

Explain 12 SAR terms (search urgency, confinement, scent items, dogs, briefing/debriefing, clue awareness, tracking, hasty/trail sweep/grid searches)

Choose a hypothetical SAR scenario from the pamphlet or approved by counselor

Develop an Incident Action Plan (IAP) for a hasty search

Conduct a PAUSE briefing on hazards, safety, and gear before the search

Execute the search

Hold a team debriefing on tactics, problems, and improvements

(Do any one of the following)

Research one SAR/emergency-management career (training, costs, salary, duties); discuss findings

Explore volunteering on a disaster relief, wilderness rescue, or ski patrol team; discuss goals