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Requirements January 1998 until January 2009

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illness that could occur while motorboat, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.

2. Do the following:

(a) Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
(B) Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.

3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards or 75 m in a strong manner using one or more the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards or 25 m using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards or 100 m must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating as motionless as possible.

4. Show you know safety laws for motorboating:

(a) Have a permit to run a motorboat, if needed.
(b) Explain laws affecting pleasure boating in your state.
(c) Discuss with your counselor how the hazards of weather and heavy water conditions can affect both safety and performance in motor boating.
(d) Promise that you will live up to the Scout Boating Code. Explain the meaning of each point.
(e) Discuss with your counselor the nautical rules of the road and describe the national and your state’s aids to navigation.
(f) Explain and show the correct use of equipment required by both state and federal regulations to be carried on board a motorboat.
(g) Explain the requirement on federal and state ventilation rules and state why this is needed.

5. Show you know how to run a motorboat by doing the following the right way:

(a) Get in a boat.
(b) Fuel and check motor before starting.
(c) Start motor and get under way from a dock or beach.
(d) Run a straight course for a quarter mile. Make right angle turns to left or right. Make a U-turn.
(e) Stop a. Drop anchor. Raise it. Get under way.
(f) Come alongside a dock. Tie up or beach.

6. Show how to:

(a) Tie up or take boat from water.
(b) Store gear.
(c) Prepare motor for the winter.

Requirements January 2009 until January 2012

1. Do the following:

(a) Explain first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while motorboating, including hypothermia, heat reactions, dehydration, motion sickness, insect stings, tick bites, and blisters.
(b) Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how such conditions are recognized. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.

2. Do the following:

(a) Before doing requirements 3 through 6, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.*
(b) Name the different types of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and explain when each type should be used. Show how to choose and properly fit a PFD.

3. Do the following:

(a) Explain inboard, L board, and inboard/outboard motors, and the uses and advantages of each. Discuss the special features of a bass boat and a ski boat.
(b) Explain the safety procedures and precautions involving handling fuel and engine servicing, and equipment storage and placement.
(c) Explain how to winterize a boat motor and tell why this procedure is necessary.
(d) Explain the safety procedures and precautions involving swimmers and skiers in the water, passenger positions under way, and boat wakes.

4. Show you know safety laws for motorboating by doing the following:

(a) Have a permit to run a motorboat, if needed.
(b) Explain the rules or laws that apply to recreational boating in your area or state.
(c) Discuss how the hazards of weather and heavy water conditions can affect both safety and performance in motorboating.
(d) Promise that you will follow the BSA Safety Afloat guidelines. Explain the meaning of each point.
(e) Discuss with your counselor the nautical rules of the road and describe the national and your state’s aids to navigation.
(f) Explain and show the correct use of equipment required by both state and federal regulations to be carried aboard a motorboat.
(g) Explain federal and state rules for a ventilation system, and tell why these rules are required.

5. Demonstrate proper boat handling procedures and skills by doing the following:

(a) Board and assist others in boarding.
(b) Fuel the boat and complete a safety check.
(c) Get under way from dockside or from a beach launch.
(d) Run a course for at least a mile, showing procedures for overtaking and passing slower craft, yielding right-of-way, passing oncoming traffic, making turns, reversing direction, and using navigation aids.

*See the swimming merit badge requirements for details about the BSA swimmer test.