Honor Medals

[Hubert]

How are the Medals of Honor determend? I have always wondered that, how do they determine what scenerio gets what. Ive read the book, but what may not be "life risking" may be a HUGE deal to the person you saved.

[OldGreyBear]

check this

http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-521.html

[Hubert]

Ok, thanks. I have wondered how they determine each medal, and what may be considered fit. But theres still one question. Even if you do something extraordanary, but have little risk to self, shouldnt you get one of the higher ones? If you save a life, I think that you should get one of the top two, even if theres little risk to self.

That did help answer the first question! Thank you!

[riverwalk]

Maybe you could or should? We've had other comments on these things. What is often the case, even with some of us in here, is a scenario that goes unreported or unrecognized. This happens in Military and Public Safety cases as well. Many deserving folks don't have anyone submit, or follow up on the report. Or in writing it up, it isn't well understood.

One case at work found Police had saved someone prior to my Engine Company's arrival. I submitted the request for the Officers to be recognized, used their Department's criteria (wording for impact), and followed up on same. They received their Department's awards.

Remember also, let the Award seek you in Scouting. One can't recommend their own recognition. When you get to the knot subject (simply represents actual Awards), there are some they want you to qualify for, others have to be bestowed on you.

[Hubert]

Ok. I have yet to save a life, but this question has bothered me for some time now. lol. Ive just wondered how they choose between what is what. Thanks again!

[riverwalk]

A valid question certainly. I think it is again how it's supported (written up). Circumstances are too varied to describe here of course. But some rescues are simple and luckily risk free, others more risky after looking back.

But if you encounter an event in your area, make sure someone actually walks it through the process. These things often end up like the emergency scenes I respond to (fireguy)...in that everyone else thought everyone else already reported it, haha.

[Hubert]

My future plans are to become an EMT or Paramedic. I need to get the training for them still, but I am already First Aid Certified, CPR Certified, in all three areas, and Epipen certified. I know those are not much, but they do help out in those times. I havent seen or really had a major thing I have responded too yet, but Ive done the small things, cuts, scraoes, and one broken bone. Thanks for answering this, it is taking it off my mind now. lol.

[riverwalk]

And I hope you earned and turned in for the Emergency Preparedness Award? Help promote this by wearing the pin. It can be earned multiple times (Cubs, Boy Scout, Scouter at any level too).

[Hubert]

So, by getting certified, I can get that? Wow, Im going to look into that.

[riverwalk]

Gee whilikers batman, no the Emergency Prep Award has very limited requirements. Your Certs go beyond that, but don't qualify for the Award by themselves. Just look it up on any Scouting website, or ask your local Scouting officials. Then buy the pin, and wear it correctly (another topic, haha). A tiger Cub, all the way to any Scouter can earn this. Ready and Prepared is a limited recognition, but the EP is for anyone.

I wear mine to help promote the program. Local folks know I'm in the Emergency Services, but they don't all know of the Award. Since BSA is trying to get us all on a better Preparedness level, we're all in a position to help spread the word.

Back to Honor Medals, my Council recently posted how many in Council have been so recognized. What's more interesting perhaps, is that some of us have done the same deeds but nobody turned it in. So the efforts by our members is likely more than one can know.

[OldGreyBear]

Are we talking about BSA members during their everyday life, or about BSA members who are employed as Firemen and Police and EMS? I am not sure the BSA awards a Honor medal to a scoutmaster who in his role as a professional fireman saves a life. Then again I might be wrong, I hadnt thought of this until now

[FrankJ]

I see these medal as meant for something beyond the call of duty. So a fireman performing his every day rescue ( I say this with tongue firmly planted in cheek) wouldn't qualify. The same fireman driving by a burning house on vacation & performs same type of rescue might well qualify.

[Hubert]

I agree with FrankJ, if it is a profession, then I do not believe so. They mention going beyond the call of duty, most I have seen are earned by scouts who perform skills in an auto wreck or of that sort. I rarely see that of a boy going in a fire, but I have seen it. Its rare though.

Myself am after a profession of that sort, so all of my Boy Scout skills are going to come in handy, I plan on becoming an EMT. But as FrankJ said, while on duty, saving a life would not qualify, but on vacation, I htink it would.

[riverwalk]

Right you are. If that was in response to my comments, I can clear that up, haha. Right, they would look at that as they also consider level of risk that was involved, to determine the appropriate Award. What I was describing was Scouting related activities. I certainly wouldn't use my on or off Duty lifesaving attempts to suggest someone write those up. You can't do that anyway as it relates to Scouting recognition. My comment was about going to/from and at Scouting events, and doing these things. The whole point being a positive one about the program, in that many examples are known, beyond those numbers claimed.

Now the first of two stories local to me. A recent lifesaving effort at the National Office, was featured in our local news market this week. The employee survived, due to the nurse at National getting involved in time, and until the Paramedics arrived. The staffer survived to due all factors and great timing. The medics told me about it as they knew my Scouting involvement.

[Lynda J]

Wehave twins from here that will probably be awarded MOH. They were cycling along the Trinity river and heard a woman screaming. THey stopped and saw a young boy in the water. They dove in and saved his life. When the EMT's got there they were getting ready to simply get back on their bikes and continue their ride. When there were stopped and ask how they knew what to do they commented that they had spent part of the summer at Boy Scout summer camp had taken life saving.

[Hubert]

That is an awsome example LyndaJ! I think that deserves one a medal honestly.

Riverwalk, my question started off as what counts though. What may not be dangorous, may be a huge thing done. LIke maybe do CPR for hours or something of that matter. Is that still an Honor Medal? Or would it be something else? Thats what I have been pondering for sometime now...

[WeeWillie]

Justin

The criteria is risk to oneself, not amount of time.

Running into a blazing fire, jumping into a swollen river risks your life. - Honor Medal w/ Crossed Palms.

Tackling and extinguishing a person on fire risks personal injury. Honor Medal.

Administering CPR involving very little if any risk to oneself. - Heroism Medal.

[Hubert]

OK. I was just wondering because somethings like I said may not involve risk, but impact so much or so many. I was just wondering about things like that.

[WeeWillie]

Justin

The criteria isn't saving a life. Scouts have been awarded the Honor Medal w/ Crossed Palms for rescue attempts that were unsucessful.

[Hubert]

Ok. Thanks. Now I understand it.