All worksheets / Lifesaving
★ Eagle requiredEdition 2026Active Merit Badge
Lifesaving
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Lifesaving requires strong swimming skills and calm judgment under pressure. You must earn the Swimming merit badge before starting. The badge focuses on the rescue order — Reach, Throw, Row, Go — and trains you in defensive releases, underwater approaches, and towing conscious and unconscious subjects without endangering yourself.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Rescue Hierarchy: Reach, Throw, Row, Go
- Swimming Rescues & Defense Escapes
- Towing Carries & In-Water Resuscitation
- Spinal Injury Management in Water
9Printable Pages
17Requirements
2021Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Lifesaving Requirements
Every requirement for the Lifesaving merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Safe Swim Defense
Before doing requirements 3 through 15, review with your counselor the principles of Safe Swim Defense.
2Swimming Prerequisites
Before doing requirements 3 through 15:
- a Earn the Swimming merit badge.
- b Swim continuously for 400 yards using each of the following strokes in a strong manner, in good form with rhythmic breathing, for at least 50 continuous yards: front crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke.
3Drowning Situations and Rescue Order
Explain the following:
- a Common drowning situations and how to avoid them, such as unfenced residential pools, drop offs, river currents, rip currents, and medical emergencies.
- b How to identify persons in the water who need assistance.
- c The order of methods in water rescue.
- d How rescue techniques vary depending on the setting and the condition of the person needing assistance.
- e Situations for which in-water rescues should not be undertaken.
4Reaching Rescues
Demonstrate "reaching" rescues using various items such as arm, leg, towels, shirts, paddles, poles.
5Throwing Rescues
Demonstrate "throwing" rescues using various items such as a line, ring buoy, rescue bag, and free-floating support. Successfully place at least one such aid within reach of a practice victim 25 feet from shore.
6Watching a Rowing Rescue
With your counselor's approval, view in-person or on video a rowing rescue performed using a rowboat, canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard. Discuss with your counselor how effectively and efficiently the rescue was performed.
7Aids for a Go Rescue
List various items that can be used as aids in a "go" rescue. Explain why buoyant aids are preferred.
8Buoyant-Aid Rescues in Deep Water
Correctly demonstrate rescues of a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore in deep water using two types of buoyant aids provided by your counselor. Use a proper entry and a strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject to determine his or her condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.
- a Present one aid to a subject, release it, and swim at a safe distance as the subject moves to safety.
- b In a separate rescue, present the other aid to a subject and use it to tow the subject to safety.
9Safety and First Aid
Discuss with your counselor when it is appropriate to remove heavy clothing before attempting a swimming rescue. Remove street clothes in 20 seconds or less, enter the water, and approach a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore in deep water. Speak to the subject and use a nonbuoyant aid, such as a shirt or towel, to tow the subject to safety.
10Avoiding Contact and Lead-and-Wait
Discuss with your counselor the importance of avoiding contact with an active subject and demonstrate lead-and-wait techniques.
11Armpit Tow and Cross-Chest Carry
Perform the following nonequipment rescues for a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Begin in the water from a position near the subject. Speak to the subject to determine his or her condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.
- a Perform an armpit tow for a calm, responsive, tired swimmer resting with a back float.
- b Perform a cross-chest carry for an exhausted, responsive subject treading water.
12Escaping a Victim's Grasp
In deep water, show how to escape from a victim's grasp on your wrist. Repeat for front and rear holds about the head and shoulders.
13Rescuing an Unconscious Subject
Perform the following rescues for an unconscious practice subject at or near the surface 30 feet from shore. Use a proper entry and strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject and splash water on the subject to determine his or her condition before making contact. Quickly remove the victim from the water, with assistance if needed, and position for CPR.
- a Perform an equipment assist using a buoyant aid.
- b Perform a front approach and wrist tow.
- c Perform a rear approach and armpit tow.
14When a Subject Submerges
Discuss with your counselor how to respond if a victim submerges before being reached by a rescuer, and do the following:
- a Recover a 10-pound weight in 8 to 10 feet of water using a feetfirst surface dive.
- b Repeat using a headfirst surface dive.
15Managing a Spinal Injury
Demonstrate management of a spinal injury to your counselor:
- a Discuss the causes, signs, and symptoms of a spinal injury.
- b Support a faceup subject in calm water of standing depth.
- c Turn a subject from a facedown to a faceup position in water of standing depth while maintaining support.
16Rescue Breathing and CPR
Demonstrate knowledge of resuscitation procedure:
- a Describe how to recognize the need for rescue breathing and CPR.
- b Demonstrate CPR knowledge and skills, including rescue breathing, on a mannequin under the guidance of a current CPR/AED instructor trained by a nationally certified provider.
17Other Injuries and Illnesses
With your counselor, discuss causes, prevention, and treatment of other injuries or illnesses that could occur while swimming or boating, including hypothermia, dehydration, heat-related illnesses, muscle cramps, sunburn, stings, and hyperventilation.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Lifesaving requirements in 2021. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/lifesaving/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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