Do the Scouts, in fact, have to be CPR certified to earn Swimming merit badge?
(Whitney Noel, Flint River Council, MI) The Assistant Scoutmaster, District Executive, and Assistant Scout Executive are, unfortunately, all mistaken. CPR certification is absolutely not required in order to earn Swimming merit badge; moreover, it can’t be imposed over existing requirements by any person, unit, district, or even council. Yes, a Scout will identify the conditions that must exist for performing CPR and he will explain how to recognize those conditions, and he will demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a Counselor-approved training device (does not have to be a “Resusci-Annie”), but that’s it. He definitely does not have to have what’s commonly called a “CPR Card” to earn Swimming merit badge; in fact, a CPR Card isn’t mandatory to earn Lifesaving merit badge, either. I hope they’re willing to self-correct and rescind that unfortunate statement. Hey Andy, Im an Eagle Scout currently attending the US Naval Academy. I recently learned that a Scout in my home
