2013 Aquatics Merit Badge Counselor Requirements

Old North State Council Aquatics Merit Badge Counselor Qualifications In approving counselors, the local council advancement committee has the authority to establish a minimum, reasonable level of skills and education for the counselors of a given merit badge. Counselors for all aquatics merit badges must hold current training in Safe Swim Defense. Counselors for all aquatics merit badges must hold current training in Hazardous Weather. Counselors for all aquatics merit badges must hold current certifications in 1st Aid, CPR, and AED. Counselors for all boating merit badges must also hold current training in Safety Afloat. Boardsailing BSA Sufficient experience with boardsailing, as approved by the Aquatics Committee BSA Lifeguard Current certification in: CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer AND Current training as: BSA Aquatics Instructor (National Camping School training) OR BSA Lifeguard Counselor Canoeing merit badge Current training as: BSA Aquatics Instructor (National Camping School training) OR American Canoe Association Instructor OR American Red Cross Canoeing Instructor Lifesaving merit badge Must be at least 21 years old AND Current training as: BSA Aquatics Instructor (National Camping School training) OR BSA Lifeguard OR American Red Cross Lifeguard Mile Swim BSA Current training as: BSA Aquatics Instructor (National Camping School training) Motorboating merit badge Proof of: AND

NC Boater's Education Course (or equivalent) Sufficient experience operating powerboats (TBD by Aquatics Committee)

Rowing merit badge Current training as: BSA Aquatics Instructor (National Camping School training) OR Training by a currently trained BSA Aquatics Instructor Scuba Diving merit badge and Scuba BSA Current certification in: CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer O2 Administration AND Scuba Instructor certification through one of the following agencies: NAUI, PADI, SDI, or other agency recognized by the RSTC AND Proof of liability insurance Small-Boat Sailing merit badge Proof of: AND

NC Boater's Education Course (or equivalent) Sufficient sailing experience (As approved by the Aquatics Committee)

Swimming merit badge Current training as: BSA Aquatics Instructor (National Camping School training) OR BSA Lifeguard OR American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor OR Current qualifications and employment as swim coach Water Sports merit badge Current training as: BSA Aquatics Instructor (National Camping School training) AND Sufficient experience with water sports, as approved by the Aquatics Committee Whitewater and Kayaking merit badges, Kayaking BSA Current training as: American Canoe Association Whitewater Instructor OR American Whitewater Association Instructor OR U.S. Canoe Association Instructor *All merit badge counselor applications for aquatics merit badges are subject to the approval of the Old North State Council Aquatics Committee.* *All merit badge counselor applications must be turned in with a BSA Adult Application signed consent to a background check, and proof of current training in Youth Protection. *These requirements are effective September 1, 2013. Proof of appropriate qualifications must be resubmitted each year by December 15 or authorization will be revoked.