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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Scuba Diving
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Scuba Diving opens the underwater world through pressurized breathing gear. The Swimming merit badge is an absolute prerequisite. This badge requires earning open-water diver certification through an accredited agency (PADI, NAUI, SSI, etc.), demonstrating buoyancy control, regulator clearing, and emergency buddy breathing in open water.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Open-Water Diver Certification
- Dive Physics: Pressure, Volume & Gas Laws
- Scuba Gear Inspection & Assembly
- Dive Tables, Decompression & Open-Water Dives
3Printable Pages
6Requirements
2009Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Scuba Diving Requirements
Every requirement for the Scuba Diving merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1First Aid and Dive Conditions
Do the following:
- a Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while scuba diving, including hypothermia, hyperventilation, squeezes, decompression illness, nitrogen narcosis, motion sickness, fatigue, overexertion, heat reactions, dehydration, injuries by aquatic life, and cuts and scrapes.
- b Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
2Swimming Merit Badge
Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the Swimming merit badge.
3Safety and First Aid
Discuss the Scuba Diver's Code with your counselor, and explain the importance of each guideline to a scuba diver's safety.
4Open Water Diver Certification
Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Scouting America scuba policy.
5Aquatic Ecosystems
Explain what an ecosystem is, and describe four aquatic ecosystems a diver might experience.
6Careers
Find out about three career opportunities in the scuba industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Scuba Diving requirements in 2009. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.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/scuba-diving/ 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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