Lifesaving Merit Badge Explained

You’re standing on the shore, watching your friends have fun at the beach on a beautiful day, when you see someone slip under the water. There is no lifeguard, no whistle, and no time to waste. In that moment, a Scout who has earned the Lifesaving merit badge does not freeze or panic. They know how to think clearly, use the safest rescue method first, and act in a way that protects both the victim and themselves.

Lifesaving is an Eagle-required badge, and for good reason: the skills you build here can mean the difference between tragedy and a successful rescue. You’ll practice reaching and throwing rescues from shore, safely approach a victim with buoyant aids, and learn how to tow both conscious and unconscious subjects. You’ll also study how to recognize drowning, practice escapes from dangerous grasps, manage suspected spinal injuries, and review CPR and rescue breathing techniques, all while learning how to help others without putting yourself at risk.

In this guide, we’ll talk about why the Lifesaving merit badge matters, go through each requirement with difficulty ratings, share insider tips to make your practice sessions smoother, and point you toward helpful resources to strengthen your skills. By the end, you will understand what it takes to be calm, confident, and safe in water emergencies. Ready to get prepared to save lives on the water? 🙂

Why The Lifesaving Badge Is Important

The Lifesaving merit badge revolves around one central idea: smart rescue decision-making. You learn to notice trouble early, choose the safest rescue method, and protect yourself while you work to save someone in danger.

Throughout earning your Lifesaving badge, you’ll keep coming back to a few key principles:

1. Prevention First – You learn to recognize common drowning situations and stop them before they start.
2. Rescue Order of Methods – You are trained to start with the safest options, like reaching and throwing, before entering the water.
3. Scene and Self Safety – You learn when not to attempt an in-water rescue and how to avoid dangerous contact with a panicked swimmer.
4. Effective Techniques – You practice approaches, tows, escapes, and carries that let you move a victim quickly while keeping control.
5. Care After Rescue – You connect water rescues with CPR, breathing emergencies, and treatment of related conditions like hypothermia and heat illness.

Lifesaving helps you grow from basic aquatic skills to leadership in emergencies. Instead of only focusing on how you move in the water, you begin managing a scene, directing a victim, and, eventually, coordinating help from others nearby. That shift from personal ability to responsibility for the safety of a whole area is a big part of what prepares you for leadership in Scouting and in life.

What Are The Lifesaving Merit Badge Requirements?

I’d suggest using the table below to plan your work. For this badge, most Scouts start by knocking out the Swimming merit badge prerequisite, training for the 400-yard swim, and then batching the pool-based rescue demonstrations. Those are the three most physically demanding aspects of this challenging Eagle-required option!

Req #	Requirement Summary	Requirement Group	Difficulty	ScoutSmarts Notes & Tips
1	1. Before doing requirements 3 through 15, review with your counselor the principles of Safe Swim Defense.	Safety Foundations	Medium	Print or open the Safe Swim Defense plan beforehand and bring notes or questions to your counselor so this requirement becomes a short, focused conversation instead of a long lecture.
2	2. Before doing requirements 3 through 15: (a) Earn the Swimming merit badge. (b) Swim continuously for 400 yards using each of the following strokes in a strong manner, in good form with rhythmic breathing, for at least 50 continuous yards: front crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke.	Prerequisites & Swimming Skills	Hard	Treat this as a gatekeeper requirement and plan ahead: finish Swimming merit badge early, then build up to 400 yards by timing practice sessions at a pool and having a buddy or parent watch your stroke form.
3	3. Explain the following: (a) Common drowning situations and how to prevent them. (b) How to identify persons in the water who need assistance. (c) The order of methods in water rescue. (d) How rescue techniques vary depending on the setting and the condition of the person needing assistance. (e) Situations for which in-water rescues should not be undertaken.	Rescue Knowledge & Prevention	Medium	Make a one-page outline or flashcards for parts (a) through (e), and practice explaining them out loud to a family member so that your discussion with your counselor flows smoothly.
4	4. Demonstrate “reaching” rescues using various items such as arm, leg, towels, shirts, paddles, poles.	Basic Rescue Techniques	Easy	At home, practice the body position and pulling motion with a chair or couch standing in for the water so that when you are at the pool you only need to focus on safety and correct spacing.
5	5. Demonstrate “throwing” rescues using various items such as a line, ring buoy, rescue bag, and free-floating support. Successfully place at least one such aid within reach of a practice victim 25 feet from shore.	Basic Rescue Techniques	Medium	Ask to practice extra throws with a ring buoy or throw bag before your official sign off, and use a consistent underhand or sidearm motion so your accuracy becomes very reliable at 25 feet.
6	6. With your counselor’s approval, view in-person or on video a rowing rescue performed using a rowboat, canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard. Discuss with your counselor how effectively and efficiently the rescue was performed.	Observation & Analysis	Easy	Search for a BSA or Red Cross rescue video in advance, watch it twice, and jot down three things done well and two things that could be better so you have ready talking points for your discussion.
7	7. List various items that can be used as aids in a “go” rescue. Explain why buoyant aids are preferred.	Rescue Equipment Knowledge	Easy	Walk around a pool or waterfront (real or in your memory) and note every object that could float or extend your reach, then review why floating support keeps both you and the victim safer during a tow.
8	8. Correctly demonstrate rescues of a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore in deep water using two types of buoyant aids provided by your counselor. Use a proper entry and a strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject to determine his or her condition and to provide instructions and encouragement. (a) Present one aid to a subject, release it, and swim at a safe distance as the subject moves to safety. (b) In a separate rescue, present the other aid to a subject and use it to tow the subject to safety.	Buoyant Aid Rescues	Hard	Treat (a) and (b) as two separate drills: first focus on safe distance and communication, then focus on a smooth, powerful tow, and ask a buddy to role-play a panicked victim so you can practice firm, clear directions.
9	9. Discuss with your counselor when it is appropriate to remove heavy clothing before attempting a swimming rescue. Remove street clothes in 20 seconds or less, enter the water, and approach a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore in deep water. Speak to the subject and use a nonbuoyant aid, such as a shirt or towel, to tow the subject to safety.	Clothing & Nonbuoyant Rescues	Hard	Practice the 20-second clothing removal at home a few times with a timer so that during the real test you already know the fastest order to remove your clothes and do not waste energy or time.
10	10. Discuss with your counselor the importance of avoiding contact with an active subject and demonstrate lead-and-wait techniques.	Victim Management & Self-Protection	Medium	Before meeting your counselor, watch a short water rescue training video that shows a victim grabbing a rescuer so you can better understand why distance, commands, and lead-and-wait are so important.
11	11. Perform the following nonequipment rescues for a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Begin in the water from a position near the subject. Speak to the subject to determine his or her condition and to provide instructions and encouragement. (a) Perform an armpit tow for a calm, responsive, tired swimmer resting with a back float. (b) Perform a cross-chest carry for an exhausted, responsive subject treading water.	Physical Rescue Techniques	Hard	Ask a strong swimmer friend to be your practice subject, and rehearse the holds slowly in shallow water first so that your grip, body position, and breathing feel natural before trying them in deep water.
12	12. In deep water, show how to escape from a victim’s grasp on your wrist. Repeat for front and rear holds about the head and shoulders.	Escape Techniques	Hard	Learn the motions on land with a friend grabbing your wrist, front, and back, then move to shallow water and finally deep water so your muscle memory is strong and you stay calm if someone actually grabs you.
13	13. Perform the following rescues for an unconscious practice subject at or near the surface 30 feet from shore. Use a proper entry and strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject and splash water on the subject to determine his or her condition before making contact. Quickly remove the victim from the water, with assistance if needed, and position for CPR. (a) Perform an equipment assist using a buoyant aid. (b) Perform a front approach and wrist tow. (c) Perform a rear approach and armpit tow.	Unconscious Victim Rescues	Very Hard	Schedule a longer session with your counselor just for this requirement and ask to repeat each rescue multiple times because these skills are complex and worth extra practice to get smooth and safe.
14	14. Discuss with your counselor how to respond if a victim submerges before being reached by a rescuer, and do the following: (a) Recover a 10-pound weight in 8 to 10 feet of water using a feetfirst surface dive. (b) Repeat using a headfirst surface dive.	Submerged Victim Skills	Medium	Practice surface dives and retrieving lighter objects first, then work up to a 10-pound weight so you build confidence in controlling your body and ears at depth.
15	15. Demonstrate management of a spinal injury to your counselor: (a) Discuss the causes, signs, and symptoms of a spinal injury. (b) Support a faceup subject in calm water of standing depth. (c) Turn a subject from a facedown to a faceup position in water of standing depth while maintaining support.	Spinal Injury Management	Hard	Before you get in the water, practice the turning motions with a friend on land using a rolled towel as the spine so you are already thinking about keeping the head and neck aligned.
16	16. Demonstrate knowledge of resuscitation procedure: (a) Describe how to recognize the need for rescue breathing and CPR. (b) Demonstrate CPR knowledge and skills, including rescue breathing, on a mannequin under the guidance of a current CPR/AED instructor trained by a nationally certified provider.	CPR & Rescue Breathing	Medium	Treat this as another gatekeeper requirement and schedule a CPR/AED class early so you gain strong skills and do not rush to find an instructor near the end of the badge.
17	17. With your counselor, discuss causes, prevention, and treatment of other injuries or illnesses that could occur while swimming or boating, including hypothermia, dehydration, heat-related illnesses, muscle cramps, sunburn, stings, and hyperventilation.	Water-Related First Aid	Easy	Batch this with a First Aid or Swimming merit badge discussion by preparing a chart of each condition, its causes, warning signs, and what to do so your conversation is quick and thorough.

I shortened a few extra-long sections, so here’s a link to the full Lifesaving badge requirements from Scouting America.

Why Scouting America Includes The Lifesaving Badge

Lifesaving is all about judgment: reading a situation, thinking ahead, and acting with courage but also control. When you work on this badge, you are constantly asking, “What could go wrong here, and how do we prevent it?” You learn to see risk before it becomes an emergency, which is exactly what we want from prepared citizens and future leaders.

You and your counselor will go beyond just strong swimming. You will plan safe entries, choose the right rescue method, and decide when the safest move is actually not to go into the water. Lifesaving teaches that bravery without judgment can cause more victims, and that real courage is sometimes standing back, calling for help, and using the smartest method available.

By the time you finish this badge, you will have practiced staying calm when someone is “panicking” in the water, thinking through your options, and executing a plan in seconds. This is the same mindset strong leaders use in real crises: assess, decide, act, and then learn from what happened. Lifesaving builds a quiet confidence that you can keep your head when others are scared, which is a huge part of being trustworthy and helpful in your family, unit, and community.

Who The Lifesaving Badge Is Great For

Lifesaving is perfect for Scouts who are already confident swimmers, usually around First Class or higher, and typically 13 or older. You should be comfortable in deep water, enjoy physical challenges, and be ready to focus on safety and skill.

This badge lines up really well with hobbies like competitive swimming, water polo, triathlons, kayaking, or paddleboarding. It is also excellent preparation if you might be a lifeguard, swim instructor, camp staff, firefighter, EMT, Coast Guard, Navy, or any first responder role. If you see yourself as someone others can count on during emergencies, Lifesaving helps you prove that to yourself.

Earning the Lifesaving merit badge means that when something unexpected happens at the water, you won’t freeze or panic. You’ll learn to think clearly, choose the safest method, and act with purpose. That kind of confidence sticks with you long after you step out of the pool or ocean.

Cole K

Insider Tips to Finish Lifesaving Faster

Lifesaving is one of those badges where planning makes everything smoother. A lot of the requirements are physical skill demonstrations, so the more you prepare your body and schedule smartly, the faster you can check them off. Think of this badge as part swim workout, part safety training, and part mental practice.

1. Respect the gatekeeper requirements: Requirements 1 and 2 are gatekeepers. You must review Safe Swim Defense and earn Swimming, plus complete the 400-yard swim, before you tackle 3 through 15. Schedule a meeting with your counselor right away to walk through Safe Swim Defense and verify that your Swimming merit badge and swim stamina are up to date so nothing slows you down later.
2. Train specifically for the 400-yard swim: Do not assume “I already swim” is enough. Practice swimming 400 yards continuously in a pool, breaking it into 4 x 100 yard sets, each with one stroke. For each stroke (front crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, elementary backstroke), focus on smooth breathing and relaxed form. When you can do each stroke for 100 yards without stopping, 50-yard segments for the badge will feel easy.
3. Batch your rescue skills into focused sessions: Requirements 4 through 13 are all rescue-related. Instead of spreading them randomly, batch them into two or three pool days: one session for reach and throw rescues (4, 5, 6, 7), one session for buoyant aid and towing rescues (8, 9, 10), and one session for nonequipment and unconscious victim rescues (11, 12, 13, 14, 15). This keeps you in the right mindset and saves you and your counselor time.
4. Practice speaking while rescuing: Many requirements specifically say to “speak to the subject” for assessment and encouragement. Before meeting your counselor, practice what you will say: simple phrases like “Are you okay?”, “Hold onto this”, “Kick your feet”, “I have you, we are going to safety.” Having confidence treading water and clear communication are key in a rescue.
5. Use a buddy and rotate roles: For the practice sessions (before sign-offs), work with another Scout or sibling. Take turns being the victim and the rescuer for tows, equipment assists, and escapes from grasps. You will learn faster by feeling both sides of the rescue, and you can correct each other on form and safety.
6. Ask your counselor about video or live demonstrations early: Requirement 6 (observing a rowing rescue) and parts of 13 and 15 are easier if your counselor or your unit already has a plan. Ask, “Do you have any videos you recommend or a time we can see a real demonstration?” This shows planning and can save you a lot of time trying to find random online clips that might not match what your counselor expects.
7. Learn the order of rescue methods until you can explain it in your sleep: Requirement 3 is mostly knowledge, but its the foundation for everything else. Memorize the rescue order (reach, throw, row, go with support, go without support only as a last resort) and be able to explain why that order protects both you and the victim. Understanding this makes your practical rescues look intentional rather than random.
8. Pre-practice clothing removal and surface dives: Requirements 9 and 14 often trip Scouts up. At a safe pool with permission, time yourself taking off street clothes in the water and then approaching a victim, and practice both feetfirst and headfirst surface dives for a 10 pound object. The more comfortable you are underwater and moving with purpose, the calmer you will be when you do it in front of your counselor.
9. Coordinate CPR and first aid with other badges: Requirement 16 lines up well with First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. Ask your counselor if you can show them your CPR/AED card or schedule your CPR training during a troop first aid day. Batching those learning sessions keeps the information fresh and cuts down on repeated practice.
10. Talk to real lifeguards or aquatics staff: Before or during the badge, consider asking your counselor if they know any lifeguards, swimming instructors, or aquatics directors you could talk to for 10 minutes. Ask them things like: “What is the most common situation you see that could have been prevented?” and “What helped you stay calm in your first real rescue?” Their stories will help you connect the requirements to real life and think ahead more clearly.

The Most Important Skills You’ll Learn

Lifesaving is one of those badges where the skills stick with you every time you go near the water. At a pool party, a troop swim, or a day at the lake with friends, you will start naturally scanning for hazards, picking out strong swimmers, and recognizing when someone might be in trouble before anyone else notices.

As you earn this badge, you will sharpen several big-picture skills that matter far beyond aquatics:

• Calm decision making in emergencies: You learn to pause, think through the order of rescue methods, and choose the safest option even when your heart is racing. This helps you make smarter choices in car accidents, sports injuries, or any stressful situation.
• Risk assessment and personal safety: You practice saying, “This rescue is too dangerous to attempt” and looking for alternatives. That mindset protects you from peer pressure and reckless choices in all kinds of situations, not just in the water.
• Clear communication under stress: Talking to a panicked swimmer while you approach and tow them teaches you how to give short, steady instructions. That same skill helps when leading a group during emergencies, giving directions during projects, or calming friends who are afraid.
• Physical conditioning and body control: Swimming 400 yards with multiple strokes, towing victims, and practicing surface dives all build strength and stamina. Those benefits carry over to sports, outdoor adventures, and your overall health.
• Leadership in safety situations: Managing a rescue scene, directing bystanders, and preparing for CPR position you as someone others naturally look to when something goes wrong.

When you keep these skills in mind during practice, each requirement will feel more meaningful and connected to your real life. You are not only checking off tasks, but also training yourself to notice danger, stay calm, and act with purpose when others need you most! Now, let’s go over some FAQs, and finally I’ll share some resource links for completing this badge.

Lifesaving Merit Badge FAQs

Is Lifesaving an Eagle required merit badge?

Lifesaving is one of the badges you can choose from the required list for Eagle. You can choose either Lifesaving or Emergency Preparedness to satisfy that particular Eagle requirement, but you are allowed to earn both. Many Scouts do Swimming, then Lifesaving, and then later pick up Emergency Preparedness for a strong safety skill set.

What is the hardest requirement for the Lifesaving merit badge?

For most Scouts, the most challenging parts are the practical rescues that involve non-equipment tows and escaping from a victim’s grasp (requirements 11 and 12), as well as the 400-yard swim and underwater work in 9 and 14. These sections test your stamina, calmness under pressure, and ability to think while you are tired. Consistent practice and building up your swimming fitness before you test with your counselor will make them much more manageable.

Do I have to be a competitive swimmer to earn Lifesaving?

You do not need to be on a swim team, but you do need to be a strong, confident swimmer. If you can complete the Swimming merit badge requirements fairly comfortably and handle 400 continuous yards, you are probably ready. If that sounds tough right now, spend a few weeks building up your distance and stroke technique before diving into Lifesaving requirements.

Can Lifesaving be done at summer camp?

Yes, many Scouts complete most or all of Lifesaving at summer camp, where pools, rescue gear, and trained aquatics staff are available. However, you may want to start on the gatekeeper requirements and some of the knowledge sections with a local counselor before camp. That way, you can focus on the in-water skills and sign-offs while you have easy access to facilities.

How is Lifesaving different from Emergency Preparedness?

Lifesaving focuses on water-related emergencies and physical rescue skills: swimming rescues, tows, surface dives, and spinal management. Emergency Preparedness is more about planning, communication, and response to many kinds of disasters. Both build leadership and judgment, but Lifesaving is more physically demanding in the water, while Emergency Preparedness is more planning and scenario-based.

What should I know before meeting with a Lifesaving merit badge counselor?

Before your first meeting, read through all the requirements carefully, review Safe Swim Defense, and refresh your Swimming merit badge skills. Be honest with your counselor about any strokes or skills you feel weak on, and ask them how they prefer to schedule the in-water sessions. Coming in prepared shows maturity and helps you start the badge off right!

Resources For Earning Your Lifesaving Badge

Helpful Lifesaving Resources

These links will support your work on the Lifesaving merit badge.

Official Scouting America Lifesaving Page ScoutSmarts Lifesaving Badge Guide Lifesaving Merit Badge Worksheet

For local aquatics training, pool access, or council courses, I’d recommend checking with your merit badge counselor.

You can also get the Lifesaving merit badge pamphlet from Scouting America on Amazon to help you complete the requirements and better understand the essential skills of water safety and rescue!

Lastly, congrats! You’ve picked one of the most serious and meaningful merit badges a Scout can earn. Stick with it, be honest with yourself about what you need to improve, and remember that every lap and every rescue drill is helping you become the kind of person others can rely on when things get tough.

Cheering for you as you work on the Lifesaving merit badge! If you want extra support, be sure to check out my free Lifesaving badge guide, where I break down each requirement and share tips for mastering the skills. Hope this helps you out a ton, and wishing you all the best on your journey to Eagle. 🙂