First Aid Merit Badge Explained

You’re on a hike and a friend suddenly collapses, gasping for air while everyone else freezes. The difference between panic and taking action to save their life is training, and that’s exactly what the First Aid merit badge will give you! As one of Scouting’s Eagle-required badges, First Aid is about becoming the Scout others turn to when things go wrong, whether you’re at camp, at school, or at home.

To earn this badge, you’ll build a strong foundation in recognizing and handling medical emergencies. You’ll practice assessing a scene, calling for help, protecting yourself from infection, and treating everything from burns and bleeding to hypothermia, sprains, and shock – all without putting yourself at risk. Along the way, you’ll assemble first aid kits, learn how to move an injured person safely, practice CPR skills, and even explore how stress reactions affect emergency situations.

In this guide, we’ll walk through why the First Aid merit badge matters so much, and break down the most important skills you’ll build as you work through each requirement. We’ll also review practical tips to help you remember treatments, stay organized with your practice, and feel confident completing requirements with your merit badge counselor. Ready to start becoming the Scout who knows what to do when it counts? 🙂

Why The First Aid Badge Is Important

The central idea of the First Aid merit badge is that when emergencies happen, the first few minutes matter most, and you can make those minutes matter! First Aid turns you into someone who can calmly recognize a problem, protect yourself and others, and take smart action while help is on the way.

Scouts studying this badge learn a practical emergency framework:

• Check the scene – make sure it’s safe for you, the victim, and bystanders before you move in.
• Call for help – know when and how to activate EMS from home, camp, or the backcountry.
• Care for life threats first – protect the airway, support breathing, control serious bleeding, and manage shock.
• Do a full assessment – examine the person head to toe to spot hidden injuries or conditions.
• Prevent further harm – use proper bandaging, splinting, and safe movement techniques to keep injuries from getting worse.

Throughout the requirements, you apply this framework to dozens of situations: burns, fractures, concussions, heat and cold illness, allergic reactions, bites and stings, and even mental health crises. If you’ve already earned Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks, you bring that earlier first aid knowledge here and sharpen it through more detailed scenarios, demonstrations, and discussions with your counselor.

This badge helps you move from basic skills like putting on a bandage to thinking and acting like a leader at an emergency scene. That shift from “I know a few treatments” to “I can manage this situation and guide the people around me” is a huge step forward in your growth as a Scout and as someone others can count on.

What Are The First Aid Merit Badge Requirements?

I’d suggest using the table below to plan your work for First Aid. Most Scouts start with requirement 2 (kits and the medical form) and requirement 1 (basic first aid skills), then practice the injury scenarios from requirements 3 through 13 in a few group meetings.

Also, try to combine teaching (req 14) and careers (req 15) into one day when your counselor and family or troop are available. Batching hands-on practice and discussions will save you a lot of time. Below, I’ve shared a breakdown of all of the First Aid badge requirements, along with tips for learning more effectively and getting them signed off successfully!

Req #	Requirement Summary	Requirement Group	Difficulty	ScoutSmarts Notes & Tips
1	1. Handling a First Aid Emergency. Do the following: (a) Explain the steps necessary to assess and handle a first aid emergency, including a safety evaluation of the scene. (b) Tell how you would obtain emergency medical assistance from your home and from a remote location on a wilderness camping trip. (c) Demonstrate the precautions you must take to reduce the risk of transmitting an infection between you and the victim while administering first aid, including the safe disposal of used first aid supplies. (d) Demonstrate evaluation of and management of a patient’s airway and breathing. (e) Demonstrate a thorough examination of an accident victim. (f) Discuss why shock is an emergency. (g) Define the term triage and describe examples of triage situations that you may encounter.	Emergency Basics & Assessment	Hard	Go through this requirement with your counselor or a first aid instructor while using a CPR manikin or a partner as a mock patient. Write down a simple checklist: scene safety, gloves, calling for help, airway, breathing, circulation, then practice that flow a few times so it feels automatic.
2	2. Preparing for First Aid Emergencies. Do the following: (a) Obtain a copy of the Scout Annual Health and Medical Record and discuss the importance of the form including information on immunizations, allergies, medications, health history, and medical examinations to providing first aid at Scouting events. (b) Using checklists provided in the First Aid merit badge pamphlet or ones approved by your counselor, do the following: 1. Assemble a personal first-aid kit for hiking and backpacking. Demonstrate the proper use of each item in your first-aid kit to your counselor. 2. With your counselor, inspect a unit, home, vehicle, or camp first-aid kit and discuss your findings.	Preparation & Gear	Medium	Treat this as your project day. Print the medical form, talk through it with a parent, then build your personal kit at the same time. Take photos and a written list of your kit so you can remember each item’s use when explaining it to your counselor.
3	3. Wounds with No External Bleeding. Describe the symptoms and signs of, show first aid for, and explain prevention of these wounds: (a) Closed wounds, such as a bruise (contusion) or a hematoma (b) Superficial, partial thickness, and full thickness thermal (heat) burns or scalds (c) Chemical burns (d) Electrical burns (e) Sunburn (f) Snow blindness (g) Immersion foot, frostnip, frostbite, and ice burns (h) Abrasions, such as chafing and rope burns (i) Blisters on the hands, feet, buttocks, and shoulders (j) Puncture wounds from splinters, rope splinters, nails, and fish hooks (k) Rash from poisonous plants (l) Bug bites of chiggers, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting gnats (m) Bee stings (n) Bites of spiders (o) Sting of a scorpion (p) Bite of a pet or wild mammal or human (q) Bite of a venomous snake.	Soft Tissue & Environmental Injuries	Hard	Make a chart with three columns: symptoms, first aid, and prevention for each type of injury. Go through a few each meeting with your patrol using roleplay or quick skits. This helps you remember details without cramming.
4	4. Bleeding Wounds. Describe the symptoms and signs of, show first aid for, and explain prevention of these wounds: (a) A nosebleed. (b) An open wound with mild or moderate bleeding, such as a scratch or a scrape (abrasions), or a shallow cut (laceration). (c) An open wound with severe bleeding such as a deep cut on an arm or leg. (d) Explain when it is appropriate and is not appropriate to use one or more tourniquets. List some of the benefits and dangers of using a tourniquet. Demonstrate the application of a tourniquet without tightening it.	Bleeding Control	Medium	Practice bandaging on yourself and a buddy with old gauze or rolled cloth. For tourniquets, use a training tourniquet or a belt on a pillow so you can show placement without hurting anyone.
5	5. Breathing Emergencies. Describe the symptoms and signs of, show first aid for, and explain prevention of these conditions affecting breathing: (a) Choking (b) Asthmatic attack (c) Anaphylaxis from an insect bite or sting or from food or product allergy (d) Inhalation injuries (e) Altitude sickness.	Breathing Problems	Medium	Learn the current choking relief steps for adults, children, and infants from a certified source (like a Red Cross or AHA class). When you explain anaphylaxis, actually handle a trainer epinephrine auto-injector if your counselor has one so you remember the steps.
6	6. Loss of Consciousness. Describe the symptoms and signs of, show first aid for, and explain prevention of these conditions causing loss of consciousness: (a) Fainting (b) Hypoglycemia (c) Seizure (d) Drug overdose and alcohol poisoning (e) Underwater hypoxic blackout (f) Cold water shock and drowning (g) Lightning strike and electric shock.	Serious Medical Conditions	Medium	Group these by cause: heart/breathing, blood sugar, electrical, and water related. For each, memorize a one-sentence cause plus the key first aid action, then quiz with a friend or sibling until you can answer quickly.
7	7. Heart Attack. Do the following: (a) Explain what a heart attack is. (b) Describe the symptoms and signs of a heart attack and first aid for this condition. (c) Describe the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. (d) Demonstrate proper CPR technique using a training device approved by your counselor. (e) Explain the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). (f) Demonstrate or simulate the proper use of an AED, using an AED training device if available. (g) Identify the typical location(s) of one or more AED(s) at public facilities in your community, such as, your school, place of worship, unit meeting place, sports facilities, and/or camp or by using a smart phone app. Discuss the reasons for choosing locations like these.	Heart Emergencies & CPR	Hard	Try to knock out 7c through 7f during a single CPR training session with your counselor. Before that, walk around your school or meeting place and actually find the AEDs so you can talk about locations from your own observation.
8	8. Muscle and Bone Injuries. Do the following: (a) Explain the similarities and differences in a strain, a muscle tear, a tendon rupture, a sprain, a dislocation, a simple fracture, and a compound fracture. (b) Describe the symptoms and signs of and first aid for a muscle strain, a muscle tear, and a tendon rupture. (c) Describe the symptoms and signs of, and potential complications of, a sprain, a fracture, and a dislocation. (d) Demonstrate bandages for these injuries: 1. Arm slings for forearm or upper arm or collarbone fractures 2. Elastic wrap and cravat bandages for ankle sprain 3. Elastic wrap and cravat bandages for wrist sprain or hand injury. (e) Demonstrate the proper procedures for handling and splinting of suspected closed or open fractures or dislocations of the: 1. Finger and toe 2. Forearm or wrist 3. Upper leg 4. Lower leg or ankle.	Muscle, Joint & Bone Injuries	Hard	Use broomsticks, hiking poles, or cardboard as splints and practice on a friend during a meeting. Make a small vocabulary card for all the injury terms and quiz yourself until you can define each one clearly.
9	9. Head and Spine Injuries. Do the following: (a) Describe the symptoms and signs of, relationships between, possible complications of, and prevention of head, neck, and back injuries. (b) Describe the symptoms and signs of and first aid for a concussion. (c) Demonstrate first aid for an open head wound with a triangular or other bandage. (d) Demonstrate first aid for someone with a suspected neck or back injury.	Head, Neck & Spine	Medium	Ask a buddy to act as the patient so you can practice manual neck stabilization and log roll precautions under your counselor’s supervision. Keep the big rule in mind: only move someone with head or spine injury if there is immediate danger.
10	10. Moving a Patient. Do the following: (a) Describe the conditions under which an injured person should and should not be moved. (b) If a sick or an injured person must be moved, tell how you would decide the best method. Demonstrate these methods. (c) By yourself and with a partner, demonstrate how to transport a person from a smoke-filled room. (d) By yourself and with a partner, demonstrate how to transport a person with a sprained ankle for at least 25 yards. (e) With helpers under your supervision, improvise a stretcher and move a presumably unconscious person for at least 25 yards.	Patient Movement	Medium	Plan to do this at a troop meeting or campout where you have space. Practice carries using a backpack, tarp, or two sturdy poles and a blanket so you are ready to improvise under pressure.
11	11. Heat- and Cold-Related Conditions. Describe the symptoms and signs of, show first aid for, and explain prevention of these conditions associated with exertion and/or heat or cold exposure: (a) Dehydration and over-hydration (b) Heat cramps and muscle pain after exertion (c) Heat exhaustion (d) Heat stroke (e) Chest pains associated with cold exposure (f) Hypothermia.	Heat & Cold Emergencies	Medium	Tie each condition to a real camping or sports example you have seen or heard of. That makes it easier to remember what happened, what went wrong, and what you would do differently next time.
12	12. Mental Health Conditions. Describe the following: (a) Reactions associated with at least three stressful situations, such as mountain backpacking, rappelling, a ropes course, speaking before an audience, making a phone call to an adult, taking a swim test, missing home, lighting a match, trying out for a sports team, meeting someone for the first time, or other stressful circumstances. (b) The actions that you and others should take to prepare for and manage these situations. (c) The indications that someone might be a danger to themselves or others. (d) The actions that you should take if you suspect that someone might be a danger to themselves or others.	Mental & Emotional Health	Medium	Jot down a short story about a time you felt really stressed and what helped. Use that to answer 12a and 12b. For 12c and 12d, talk with your counselor about specific adults and hotlines you would contact if you were worried about someone’s safety.
13	13. Miscellaneous Conditions. Describe the symptoms and signs of, show first aid for, and explain prevention of the following conditions: (a) Object in the eye (b) Broken, chipped, loosened, or knocked out tooth (c) Vomiting and diarrhea associated with food poisoning (d) Abdominal pain (e) Stroke.	Other Medical Problems	Medium	Pay attention to which problems need quick professional help (like stroke or a knocked-out permanent tooth). Create a quick “red flag” list to remind yourself which situations are true emergencies.
14	14. With guidance from your counselor, develop a plan to teach a first-aid skill or topic using the EDGE method. Discuss your skill, topic, and plan with your counselor, and then teach your skill or topic to your family or to one or more Scouts.	Teaching First Aid (EDGE)	Medium	Pick a skill you are already strong in, like treating burns or building a first aid kit. Make a simple 4-step outline: Explain, Demonstrate, Guide them doing it, then Enable them to do it on their own. You can combine this with a troop meeting to save time.
15	15. Do ONE of the following: (a) Visit an emergency medical station house or training center in person. From the medical first responders that you meet during your visit, learn about how they serve their community and about their careers. Discuss with your counselor what you learned during your tour and interviews. (b) Interview an emergency medical services professional about their work. Learn about how they chose this career and about their duties. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career. (c) Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in emergency medical services. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities, and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career. (d) Identify how you might use the skills and knowledge in the field of emergency medical services to pursue a personal hobby and/or healthy lifestyle. Research the additional training required, expenses, and affiliation with organizations that would help you maximize the enjoyment and benefit you might gain from it. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and share what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.	Careers & Life Use	Easy	Option 15b is usually the most flexible. Ask your counselor or troop if they know an EMT, nurse, or firefighter who can talk with you before or after a meeting. Prepare 5 to 7 questions in advance so your conversation goes smoothly.

These are the First Aid requirements as of December 2025, but I’d recommend double-checking for any changes made at the official Scouting America First Aid merit badge page.

Why Scouting America Includes The First Aid Badge

The First Aid merit badge trains you to stay calm, think clearly, and act with purpose when things go wrong. When everyone else is panicking, you can quickly check the scene, spot dangers, and decide what to do first. That kind of judgment under pressure builds real character and confidence.

As you work through these requirements, you learn to think ahead: what gear to pack, what hazards to expect, and how to prevent small problems from becoming emergencies. That habit of planning shows up everywhere in life, from school projects to leading a team at work. First Aid teaches you that good preparation is often the best “treatment” of all.

Scouting America includes First Aid because prepared citizens make their communities safer. When you know how to help someone who is bleeding, struggling to breathe, or in shock, you become the kind of person others can count on when seconds matter and help is still on the way.

Who The First Aid Badge Is Great For

The First Aid merit badge is a strong choice for Scouts in the First Class to Star rank range, usually around ages 12 to 15, who are ready to handle more responsibility on campouts and at home. It’s an especially good option to earn right after you’ve completed all of the first aid requirments up through First Class rank.

This badge lines up perfectly with interests in health, sports, and the outdoors. If you think you might want a future in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, firefighting, law enforcement, EMT work, athletic training, outdoor guiding, or lifeguarding, First Aid gives you a huge head start. Even if you simply love hiking, camping, sports, or adventure activities, the knowledge you gain here keeps you and your friends safer in everything you do.

When you earn the First Aid merit badge, emergencies start to feel less scary and more manageable. You stop thinking “I hope nothing goes wrong” and start thinking “If something happens, I’ll know what to do.” That confidence in the face of the unexpected is one of the most powerful gifts Scouting can give you.

– Cole K

Insider Tips to Finish First Aid Faster

First Aid is packed with skills, demonstrations, and scenarios, but with a smart plan, you can finish it efficiently and really remember what you learned. Here is how we can tackle it like a pro instead of wandering requirement by requirement.

1. Spot the “gatekeeper” prerequisites first. Requirements 1, 2, and 7 (basic assessment, kits, and CPR/AED) are gatekeepers because they build the foundation for most of the later skills. Do these early on. Ask your counselor which items they want done early, then schedule your CPR/AED training and kit assembly right away so nothing holds you back.
2. Batch all the “describe the symptoms and signs of, show first aid for, and explain prevention” items. Requirements 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 13 repeat this same pattern. Make a simple three-column chart in your notebook: “Symptoms and signs,” “First Aid,” and “Prevention.” As you study each condition, fill in the boxes. Then you can quickly review your chart during sessions with your counselor.
3. Turn requirement 2b into a hands-on skills workshop. When you assemble your personal kit and inspect a bigger unit or home kit, do not just read the item list. Practice using each item: bandages, gauze, triangular bandage, gloves, etc. Ask your counselor if you can do this during a troop meeting and invite a couple of Scouts to be “patients” while you demonstrate.
4. Practice scenarios regularly with your patrol. Instead of trying to memorize everything the night before your meeting, run quick 5-minute drills on campouts or during patrol time. Example: “You find a friend with signs of heat exhaustion. What do you notice, and what do you do?” This kind of practice locks in requirements 3 to 6, 8, 9, 11, and 13 much faster.
5. Use “stacked” demonstrations on the same volunteer. Batching saves tons of time. On one “patient” you can: perform the scene-size-up and assessment (requirement 1), check for breathing and airway (1d), do a head-to-toe exam (1e), and then practice bandages or splinting (requirements 4, 8, or 9). Tell your counselor you plan to work through several demos in one go so they can watch and sign off multiple items at once.
6. Prep your mental health answers in real terms, not vague phrases. For requirement 12, think about actual times you felt stressed: speaking to an adult, taking a swim test, or being homesick at camp. Jot down how your body reacted, what you were thinking, and what helped you manage it. This makes your discussion way stronger and shows your counselor you really understand mental health, not just the textbook version.
7. Link related topics so they are easier to remember. For example, group heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and over-hydration (requirement 11) together as “hot weather problems.” Group concussion, head and spine injuries, lightning, and electric shock as “high-impact or high-voltage problems.” Studying in clusters helps you see patterns instead of trying to memorize 40 separate situations.
8. Write short “if-then” scripts for tough situations. Some conditions feel complicated at first, like anaphylaxis, strokes, heart attacks, or drowning. For each one, consider planning a 3-4 line script: “If I see X, Y, and Z, then I will: 1) do this, 2) call for help, 3) monitor, 4) prevent further harm.” Review those scripts before your counseling session, and you will sound calm and confident.

The Most Important Skills You’ll Learn

The First Aid merit badge gives you practical skills you can use for the rest of your life. As you practice each requirement, you’re training yourself to stay calm, think clearly, and act with purpose when someone needs help.

From my own Eagle journey, these are the biggest skills you start building through First Aid:

• Staying calm under pressure: In real emergencies, panic spreads fast. Learning to pause, breathe, and follow a clear first aid plan helps you make better choices in stressful school, work, or family situations too.
• Clear observation and assessment: Checking the scene, looking for hazards, and noticing symptoms trains your brain to notice details. That same focus helps you in classes, sports, and any time you need to read a situation quickly.
• Hands-on medical skills: Bandaging, splinting, managing burns, and handling breathing issues or shock prepares you to respond if someone is hurt at a game, on the road, or at a family gathering.
• Communication and leadership: Calling EMS, giving clear instructions, and organizing helpers around an injured person builds confidence in speaking up and taking charge when something important needs to get done.
• Preparedness habits: Building and inspecting first aid kits, knowing where AEDs are, and thinking ahead about risks turns you into someone who plans smartly for trips, events, and daily life.

If you keep these skills in mind while you work through the badge, you’ll understand why each requirement matters and remember what you practiced much longer. First Aid shapes you into the person who can step forward when others hesitate. Now, we’re ready to go over FAQs!

First Aid Merit Badge FAQs

Is First Aid an Eagle-required merit badge?

Yes. First Aid is one of the core Eagle-required merit badges. Scouting America expects every Eagle Scout to be able to handle basic medical emergencies, so this badge is a key part of your path to Eagle.

What is usually the hardest requirement for First Aid?

For most Scouts, the hardest part is keeping all the different conditions and treatments straight in their heads, especially requirements 3 through 6, 8, 9, 11, and 13. The best way to handle this is to use a chart, group related conditions together, and practice them through scenarios with friends or your patrol instead of trying to memorize them all at once.

Do I need to be CPR certified for this merit badge?

You do not need an official CPR certification card to complete the badge, but you must demonstrate proper CPR technique using a training device to your counselor, as stated in requirement 7d. Many units partner with local EMS, Red Cross, or hospitals to run CPR training, and your counselor may encourage you to take a full certification course even though it is not required.

Can I complete First Aid at a merit badge fair or summer camp?

Yes, you can start or finish First Aid at a merit badge fair or camp, but be careful that you actually understand and can perform every skill, not just sit through lectures. If you start at an event, make sure to get a signed partial blue card and then schedule time with a local counselor to complete any missing demonstrations or discussions.

How should I prepare before meeting with my First Aid merit badge counselor?

Read through all the requirements and mark anywhere you see “describe,” “show,” “demonstrate,” or “discuss.” Build your personal first aid kit, review the Annual Health and Medical Record, and practice basic skills like bandaging, splinting, and patient assessment with your family or patrol. Coming in with questions written down and your kit in hand shows your counselor that you are serious and ready to learn.

What should I do if I feel nervous about dealing with real emergencies?

Feeling nervous is completely normal. First Aid does not turn you into a doctor, but it does give you simple, clear steps you can follow when something happens. Focus on the basics: check the scene, call for help, care for life-threatening problems first, then prevent the situation from getting worse. The more you practice, the more that nervousness turns into calm action.

Can I use this merit badge for future jobs or volunteer work?

Absolutely! A strong foundation in first aid helps with lifeguarding, babysitting, coaching, camp staff jobs, and many volunteer roles. If you later get certified in CPR and first aid, you can list those skills on job or volunteer applications, and your understanding from this badge will make that training much easier.

Resources For Earning Your First Aid Badge

Helpful First Aid Resources

These links will support your work on the First Aid merit badge.

Official Scouting America First Aid Page ScoutSmarts First Aid Badge Guide First Aid Merit Badge Worksheet

Keep your personal first aid kit nearby as you study and practice. Building the habit of checking your gear and thinking ahead is just as important as memorizing the treatments.

You are taking on one of the most important badges in all of Scouting, and you are absolutely capable of mastering it! Take it one cluster of requirements at a time, practice with real scenarios, and you will be surprised by how quickly you start thinking and acting like the calm, prepared leader others look to in an emergency.

If you want a deeper reference, you can find the official First Aid merit badge pamphlet on Amazon by searching “First Aid Merit Badge Pamphlet Scouting” or using this Amazon link. Then, for step-by-step help and example answers, be sure to check out my full ScoutSmarts First Aid merit badge guide. Cheering for you! 🙂