Scuba Diving Merit Badge

[PaulSWolf]

When does this merit badge become "OFFICAL"

I thought it was official now. Paul Wolf usually doesn't post advancement changes on "the other site" until they are official. I haven't been to our scout shop to see if they have the pamphlet/MB yet.

The Rank changes are effective 1 Jan 2010

In this case, I DID post the information ahead of the official announcement (maybe I was a bit too premature). It really can't be official until BSA releases the printed pamphlet and the actual merit badge patch, adds the badge to the Scoutnet listing of available badges, and publishes the requirements in Boy Scout Requirements or makes an announcement that the new badge is available.. That has NOT been done yet, and may not be until January or later. Until then, what has been posted, including the pdf of the pamphlet and the requirements I copied from it, are just tentative. Scouts may be working on it, but can't get credit until it does become official.

I've revised my pages by adding this note:

A pdf copy of the pamphlet for this badge appeared on the internet in October, 2009, and the information below is taken from that document. However, BSA has NOT (as of October 26, 2009) announced that the badge is available, the pamphlet and badge are NOT available for purchase, and Scouts can NOT receive credit for earning the badge yet. The information below should be considered tentative until BSA officially releases the pamphlet and patch.

[smtroop168]

We forgive you Paul!

[PhilTully]

Sorry for posting before it was official. I have attempted to upload the pdf file but I bet 16mb is too big to upload.

[PaulSWolf]

Sorry for posting before it was official. I have attempted to upload the pdf file but I bet 16mb is too big to upload.

No Problem, but WHERE did you get the pdf? Were you on the committee?

[PhilTully]

I was not on the committee, but did get it from someone that was.
Phil Tully
SM, Troop 65, Cedar Grove NJ

[AquilaNegra2]

Phil, how likely is this to be the final version? Any clue on when it actually gets released?

#1 found a place that has a winter special going on right now -- only $295. But that price is only good for another 4 weeks. I don't really want to spend the money if certification isn't going to be the requirement.

Thanks!

[smtroop168]

From the DELMARVA COUNCIL:

The BSA is pleased to announce the release of the Scuba Diving merit badge. Scuba Merit Badge is the first new merit badge in over three years! This merit badge, developed in association with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), leverages our spirit of outdoor adventure and expands our aquatics offering. Scuba Diving reflects the new direction of BSA to develop merit badges based on youth/Scout input to assure relevance and excitement around the merit badge offering. More than 84 percent of Scouts surveyed were interested in the merit badge and recommended that BSA adopt it. Pamphlets are available at Scout Shops and scoutstuff.org orders - just in time for Christmas!

http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/D ... 5&id=68368

[divermann]

Just signed off on the first SCUBA Diving MB card for a Scout of Greenwich Council. Congratulations to Mark!

[alex gregory]

Just signed off on the first SCUBA Diving MB card for a Scout of Greenwich Council. Congratulations to Mark!

My troop just had 2 scouts complete the badge, and they both thought it was the best!

I'm looking forward to having enough certified divers in the troop to charter a boat dive.

[wagionvigil]

Bob can a scout under 13 or 14 do this MB?

[smtroop168]

Bob can a scout under 13 or 14 do this MB?

Of course they can...any scout can earn any MB at any time.

I'm guessing some of the Scuba Certification outfits have age restrictions?

[wagionvigil]

That is what I want to know Does PADI have restrictions? Then if they do everyone cannot earn it they can work on it but not earn it.

[wagionvigil]

In reality BSA violates COS by allowing scouts under 13 take climbing MB

[smtroop168]

I'm calling Mazucca!!!!

You know I love jerking your chain on this stuff but in reality I'm on your side of the argument

I don't think 11 year olds should be doing 30 milers for Backpacking MB either.

[wagionvigil]

I know BSA just will not take a stand in the case of SCUBA they are not setting the rules so they can say look it is not us

[FrankJ]

You can get dive certified younger than scouting age. So in effect there is no age requirement on this one. Actually you can earn the merit badge while too young to take part in unit scuba activities per G2SS. (You have to be 14 for unit activities).

This really does not bother me that much. The people at PADI think about these thing in far more depth than I do.

[smtroop168]

The people at PADI think about these thing in far more depth than I do.

[cballman]

Boy this thread sounds like a deep subject to me.

[smtroop168]

At the risk of being banished from the forum for poor humor, let me just say

YOU"RE ALL WET!

[PaulSWolf]

Bob can a scout under 13 or 14 do this MB?

Here's the official rule:

Scuba industry standards for Open Water Diver Certification require the student to be at least 15 years of age. Students under the minimum age who meet open water scuba performance requirements may qualify for a special certification that allows them to dive with an adult buddy who has, as a minimum, an open water scuba certification. Several of the scuba organizations recognized by the BSA offer “junior” open water certifications for those as young as 10; others have a minimum age of 12. Such junior open water diver certifications satisfy Scuba Diving merit badge requirement 4.

So the answer is a most definite YES.