First Aid Requirements

[ScoutDad]

Our troop recently tested through the Canoe Merit Badge requirments over a series of weeks. The experience culminated in a two day whitewater trip. This is a great MB to earn, and I recommend it to all.

That said, in the course of preparing our training/testing plan, we told the Scouts that if they already earned the First Aid MB, they did not need to re-test on the first aid/CPR skills required by the Canoeing MB.

Now, that assumption is being challenged by some adult leaders. We want to do the right thing, but also don't want to "move the goalpostsr" on some of the boys after telling them differently.

What is the right answer in this case, and what is the BSA policy overall when earned MBs fulfill a requirement for another MB?

Thanks for your help.

ScoutDad

[wagionvigil]

AS A MB Counselor I can ask for them to prove that they know it NOT the TRoop leadership. I have done literally thousands on MB over my ADult time in scouting. Every Aquatics MB ANd Climbing. If a scout brought me his First AID MB CArd and a CPR Card OR show in his Scout Handbook that the Requirements were signed off OR a letter from the SM he got credit. Youth are fragile at times and if we tell them one thing and do another which is say, harder then we have let them down . A SCout is Trustworthy and by changing the "rules" we are not following the Scout Law. My opinion!

[cballman]

if a child gets a partial from the waterfront just because they dont have the first aid req. signed off then I will personally talk to the counsler and they will sign off the first aid req. for the scout ONLY if they have earned them. if a kid in our troop has earned the first aid MB then they know first aid not just a quick MB version at the badge fair or some camps. our boys know first aid and it shows when something happens on a campout.

[Rick Tyler]

Our troop recently tested through the Canoe Merit Badge requirments over a series of weeks. The experience culminated in a two day whitewater trip. This is a great MB to earn, and I recommend it to all.

That said, in the course of preparing our training/testing plan, we told the Scouts that if they already earned the First Aid MB, they did not need to re-test on the first aid/CPR skills required by the Canoeing MB.

Now, that assumption is being challenged by some adult leaders.

It's up to the merit badge counselor. The judgement of what is a completed MB is up to the counselor -- not the Scoutmaster, Committee, moms, dads, or Santa Claus. When I'm counseling I would not Be Amused if someone else tried to tell me how to evaluate the completion of a requirement.

Having said that, in this case, if the scout already had First Aid MB, I would have him show me the appropriate first aid treatments from Reqt 1, but I might not take as much time as a I would for a scout who was not First Class yet, and did not have First Aid MB. He would still have to do it, though.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

I would ask the scouts to show that they have the MB and then just do a refresher for them. I would not drill them on every item because they have already covered the badge.

You can't be too carefull when it comes to safety. Let's not forget - Folks in the fire department, ambulance and police forces are required to keep the CPR and other First Aid skills up to date. They need to take refresher courses all the time, even if they've been involved for 20 years, so it never hurts.

[wagionvigil]

Remember the original statement was that they told the boys that if they had completed that requirement they would not have to do it again

[Lynda J]

Oue SM is a firemen/EMT. Each year he has one of the Paramedics that he works with come to our troop and do a CPR Class. Since CPR certification are required to be renewed each year now it is a simple thing to have him come and do the class. Each boy gets a certification card. It is as intense as a full CPR class. No. But does it let each boy complete the requirement for CPR on any badge. Yes.

[hacimsaalk]

around here, if a scout has something signed off, or the SM writes a letter to say the scout did something, the MB counsler will sign it off. they may ask a few simple questions, just to make sure, but other thatn that, nothing.

for all mine that i have needed CPR training, i show them my card, and they sign it off. if i need first aide training, i show them my book, they sign it off.

[Mrw]

I have a group starting the cycling badge.

Since they are in my troop, I know they have had CPR with the fire department. I also know they have earned first aid.

I will still ask them some basic questions about it as practice makes perfect (or "use it or lose it.").

For the canoeing badge in question though, if the boys were told their already earned first aid badges covered the requirement, then that should be the last word on the subject for them.

[Rick Tyler]

For the canoeing badge in question though, if the boys were told their already earned first aid badges covered the requirement, then that should be the last word on the subject for them.

Only if it was the merit badge counselor who told them that...

[deweylure]

Just a suggestion. Our troop had a class in CPR and the AED difibulator by a CPR instructor. We also had to pass a written test. Every boy and leader is now certified in CPR. We have also scheduled are review classes.

This also helped the boys with the various MB's that require first aid knowledge of CPR.

You need about 4 hours it was a great time .

Getting certified may elimainate some of the problems about does the boy know it or doesn't he

DEWEYLURE

[Mad Dog]

I was trying to arrange for a CPR class for our troop. Found an instructor to do it for the cost of the book. SM isn't interested. Wants to find a first aid MBC who will CPR and the First Aid MB. URGHHHH Summer camp is coming and the camp requires CPR as prereq for a number of badges.

[FrankJ]

I think getting CPR certified is great, but it is not a requirement for most merit badges that require knowlege of CPR. "demonstrate knowlege of CPR using a device approved by you counselor" is what actually required. Requiring the card is adding to the requirement.

[cballman]

requireing the card is a big no-no. BUT if someone offers to teach a class in CPR and get the card for just the price of the book then just send them down our way and we will take care of this person and let them teach us. if we offer a class we are not requireing anyone to attend but we tell them it would be a great class to take. also if one leader does not like the idea then I am sorry but " the needs of the many outweigh the need of the one." we must look at the needs of the troop and community. the person that offered to teach CPR needs to teach xx amount of classes each year just to be able to teach. so the troop might be doing that person a big favor also so if your troop dont want that person please email me and I will try to set up a class for them to teach here in the awesome state of KENTUCKY.

[riverwalk]

If someone is willing to provide a class, meet 'em elsewhere. It doesn't have to be an official meeting kinda thing. If willing participants come and pass the course, great. They'll be carded, whether they need same or not.

True, only some need to be Certified, but all can benefit from learning the skill. Just like in the Water safety classes for Scouters....Scouts may take it also. This results in greater awareness in the Unit, though only the Scouters count as having it for outings.

[FrankJ]

I wasn't saying offering the CPR was a bad idea. I think every one should be certified (Be Prepared). If somebody offers to teach a class for the price of the book, good for them, better for the ones with an opportunity to learn. Having the card is convenient for show you have met the requirements. I was just pointing out it should not be a prerequesite for taking a merit badge.

[deweylure]

In my earlier post I said our troop was certified in CPR. By the responses after the post I think there is some confusion. We never said it was mandatory to get certifiedand we do not require the card.




DEWEYLURE

[wagionvigil]

I think it s great you offer this to the scouts. I would like to see it mandatory For first Class. WE do it every two years and everyone takes part.

[JazerNorth]

We do CPR training every year around Feb/Mar. This way we know that every boy has the latest information on how to do CPR. It also helps for pre-requisits for merit badges at scout camp. We don't require it, but the boys seem to enjoy it.

[Lynda J]

CPR certification through AMRC is good for one year. You need to retest each year. First Aid certification if good for 3 years. Our boys do a refresher on CPA each year about a month before summer camp. We have an EMT come to the troop meeting.

But it is up to the Counselor to make the decission of whether the requirements have been not. And only that counselor.