Scuba Diving Merit Badge

[PhilTully]

Here is the newest Merit Badge , I don't know when the book or patch will be available for purchase but here is the PDF of the book

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/749811021/0d ... 0490e3d236

[alex gregory]

Thanks! Looks like it will be an awesome merit badge experience.

Did you notice that the Scouts in the pamphlet looked like the crossed over from Webelos yesterday afternoon? Kind of mixed messaging when the merit badge encourages Boy Scouts of all ages to earn the badge yet the G2SS retains the age 14+ limitation on group and troop activities.

Also not sure I understand whether or not the badge will be taught at summer camp to Scouts under age 15 (minimum age for unrestricted open water certification).

I suspect that a lot of dive shops will start getting more customers!

[wagionvigil]

Thanks! Looks like it will be an awesome merit badge experience.

Did you notice that the Scouts in the pamphlet looked like the crossed over from Webelos yesterday afternoon? Kind of mixed messaging when the merit badge encourages Boy Scouts of all ages to earn the badge yet the G2SS retains the age 14+ limitation on group and troop activities.

Also not sure I understand whether or not the badge will be taught at summer camp to Scouts under age 15 (minimum age for unrestricted open water certification).

I suspect that a lot of dive shops will start getting more customers!

SO what you are saying BSA has actually approved a MB that is not for the Younger Scouts?
Well about time. They need to do that with a few others.

[cballman]

AMEM My sentiments exactly

[alex gregory]

No, to the contrary I'm saying the merit badge seems to encourage younger scouts to tackle SCUBA before age 14 by plastering the pamphlet with Scouts who look like they are 10 or 11 years old!

If the idea was to encourage maturity perhaps photos of Scouts in the 14 to 18 range might have been a better choice.

[kwildman]

Stolen right from the second page of the new book...emphasis added.

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.

[PhilTully]

Just a note. Only some of the Scuba certifying agencies allow 10yo's to even junior certify (PADI, NAUI) and this is a recent somewhat recent change.

As for the g2ss restrictions, these are still in effect. The MB pamphlet is very blatant that National does not want councils to take on the responsibility of a dive center.

[PaulSWolf]

Phil:

Where did you get the copy of the pamphlet? Is it in the Scout Shops, or were you on the committee?

Is the badge now available?

[AquilaNegra2]

Looks pretty straightforward. Thanks for sending it (where can I get the others??? )

We have a Scuba Venture Crew in the area, sponsored by a dive shop. I think I'll call them tomorrow to see if they'll set up some certification days for the area troops.

Hmmmmm.... only thing I'm unhappy about -->> http://www.padi.com/scuba/news-events/default.aspx?id=11654. PADI signs a business arrangement to be the certifier of choice, then wants $120 for the eLearning class --- that is BEFORE the cost for a certification class.

I'm hoping our local Dive Center isn't quite so GREEDY (yes, I think charging $120 for a class linked from a Scout page is greedy.) It seems like this is a negotiation that should have taken place before the association was made.

[FrankJ]

Hmmmmm.... only thing I'm unhappy about -->>http://www.padi.com/scuba/news-events/default.aspx?id=11654. PADI signs a business arrangement to be the certifier of choice, then wants $120 for the eLearning class --- that is BEFORE the cost for a certification class.

Do not expect anything about getting your dive certification to be inexpensive. Dive shops have a fair amount of overhead including liability insurance. BSA has structured the scuba program so the the diving instructor takes the liability risks.

This is not one of your 4 hour merit badges that you earn in a $10.00 clinic.

[smtroop168]

This is not one of your 4 hour merit badges that you earn in a $10.00 clinic.

Not like at the Cave! Right Jerry????

Do you get a partial if you don't come up the same number of times you go down?? They told us in sub school that number of dives = number of surfaces was pretty important.

It is good to see that they have Swimming MB as one of the MB requirements. That'll make 3 MBs that require a MB to get a MB (EPrep) and Whitewater (Canoeing Option).

[wagionvigil]

This is not one of your 4 hour merit badges that you earn in a $10.00 clinic.

Not like at the Cave! Right Jerry????

Do you get a partial if you don't come up the same number of times you go down?? They told us in sub school that number of dives = number of surfaces was pretty important.

It is good to see that they have Swimming MB as one of the MB requirements. That'll make 3 MBs that require a MB to get a MB (EPrep) and Whitewater (Canoeing Option).

Need ALot More "Do this before That"

[alex gregory]

I estimate the current cost of earning the Scuba merit badge in Portland, Oregon through a local dive shop including equipment rental, classes, 2-3 pool sessions, and open water dive will be $340. The cost of transportation and weekend lodging to and from the dive site is not included (assume another $100). I will try to negotiate a better deal for Scouts, but a dive shop is a business with relatively high overhead.

[AquilaNegra2]

That's for one open water dive. I thought certification required five ??

I'm just a little disappointed that a merit badge has such a significant cost. I would have preferred that it stopped short of open water certification; only requiring the classroom and pool instruction ($165 here).

ETA: Found a course in NC just for Boy Scouts -- only $185 for Open Water Certification. Might actually be cheaper to fly there (It's past, but probably offered again: http://www.capefeardistrict.org/pdf/eve ... chools.pdf). If you find something at a reasonable price, I'd be indebted to you if you'll post it!

[alex gregory]

That's for one open water dive. I thought certification required five ??

I think it's 4 dives, but I'm not sure (have to look it up). Typically a dive shop class will do 4 open water dives in one day. Otherwise, you are going to pay beaucoup bucks on charters and/or instructor time.

$185 for PADI open water course! Somehow that seems to good to be true. Maybe they charge an extra $150 for air in the tank.

[alex gregory]

It is 4 open water dives.

For those that are interested in PADI open water certification check out http://www.padi.com/scuba/padi-courses/ ... fault.aspx

From there you can link to the open water on-line certification course and FAQ.

[lifescoutforlife]

When does this merit badge become "OFFICAL"

[smtroop168]

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

[FrankJ]

One of out council professionals was at a Philmont training course last month. He said the pamphlet was at the printers. The people at Philmont would not discuss the requirements, but said to wait for the pamphlet. He also said the PDF version on the internet may or not be the official version

[lifescoutforlife]

I asked because our council has heard nothing.