Canoeing
The requirements for Canoeing merit badge were revised effective
January 1, 1998.
- Show that you know first aid for injuries or
illnesses that could occur while canoeing,
including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion,
dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites,
blisters, and hyperventilation.
- Do the following:
- Identify the conditions that must exist before
performing CPR on a person. Explain how such
conditions are recognized.
- Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR
using a training device approved by your counselor.
- Before doing the following requirements, successfully
complete the BSA swimmer test. Jump feetfirst into
water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards or 75
meters in a strong manner using one or more of the
following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen,
or crawl; then swim 25 yards or 25 meters using an
easy resting backstroke. The 100 yards or 100 meters
must be swum continuously and include at least one
sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by
floating as motionless as possible.
- Do the following:
- Name an point out the major parts of a canoe and
paddle.
- Know canoeing terminology.
- Explain and demonstrate canoe kneeling and sitting
positions and the proper use for each position.
- Review and discuss BSA Safety Afloat, and demonstrate
the proper fir and use of personal flotation
devices (PFDs).
- Demonstrate how to load and secure equipment in a
canoe.
- With a companion and using a properly equipped canoe:
- Properly carry, launch, and get into the bow of the
canoe from dock or shore (both, if possible).
- Paddle 100 yards on one side only in the bow
position using a single-blade paddle. Turn underway
and return to shore or dock showing proper form and
use of the bow or power stroke, diagonal draw, and
quarter sweep. Repeat while paddling on the other
side.
- While paddling on one side only in the bow
position, demonstrate how to hold water and stop.
Show proper form and use of the push away,
pullover, reverse sweep, and backwater. Repeat
while paddling on the other side.
- Change places with your companion while canoe is
afloat.
- Paddle 100 yards on one side only in the stern
position. Turn underway and return to shore or dock
while maintaining course and giving proper signals
to your companion. Show proper form and use of the
stern (the J stroke). Repeat while paddling on the
other side.
- While paddling on one side only in the stern
position, demonstrate how to hold water and stop.
Show proper form and the use of the push away,
pullover, reverse sweep, and backstroke. Repeat
while paddling on the other side.
- As bow paddler, make a proper landing and get out
of the canoe while following directions from your
companion. Repeat in the stern position giving
directions to your companion.
- Store canoe properly.
- While on deep water with a companion, fully dressed
and wearing proper PFD:
- Jump safely out of the canoe. Get back in without
capsizing.
- Capsize the canoe, get back in, secure all loose
gear, and paddle the swamped canoe 25 yards. Go
overboard from the swamped canoe and swim, tow or
push the swamped canoe 50 feet.
- Empty the swamped canoe in shallow water.
- Demonstrate solo canoe handling:
- Launch from shore or pier (both, if possible).
- Using a single-blade paddle and paddling only on
one side, demonstrate proper form and use of the
forward stroke (J stroke), forward and reverse
sweeps, backwater, stop, pullover, push away,
inside and outside pivots, and sculling. Repeat
while paddling on the other side.
- While paddling on one side only, paddle a 50-yard
course making at least one turn underway and one
reverse of direction. Repeat while paddling on the
other side.
- Make a proper landing at dock or shore (both, if
possible). Store canoe properly (with assistance,
if needed).
- While alone in a canoe on deep water and wearing PFD,
jump safely out of the canoe. Get back in without
capsizing.
- With a companion in your canoe and while giving
instructions to persons who have capsized a canoe in
deep water, empty the swamped canoe over your own canoe
and assist the persons in reappearing the emptied
canoe.
- Discuss:
- General care and maintenance of canoeing equipment.
- How to rig a canoe for sailing.
- The difference between river (moving water)
canoeing and lake (flatwater) canoeing.
Requirements: