Study guides · Stuff Every Whitewater Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Whitewater merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Whitewater Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: Gradient, constriction, obstruction, and flow rate
Rapids form from gradient, constriction, obstruction, and flow rate, separately or combined.
Groan of the day: That rapid has real flow power.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: The rate it changes elevation along its course
Gradient is the elevation change along a river's course, which largely sets its speed.
Groan of the day: Steep gradient? That is a downhill slope.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: The water flows more rapidly
Constriction squeezes flow into a narrower channel, making water move faster and react to the riverbed.
Groan of the day: Narrow channel: the pressure is on.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Water piling up against a large obstruction
A pillow forms when a large flow piles up or boils against a big obstruction, often signaling a rock is not undercut.
Groan of the day: That rock has a soft pillow of water.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: They recirculate water that can trap a boater
Holes recirculate surface water back upstream, and a boater or craft may become stuck under the surface.
Groan of the day: That hole is a real trap.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Their wide uniform hole has no easy escape point
Low-head dams create a wide, uniform hydraulic with blocked sides, making escape very difficult.
Groan of the day: Low-head dam: high danger.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: An object that blocks large objects but lets water flow through
Strainers let water pass but pin people and objects against them, so they are very dangerous.
Groan of the day: That strainer is a real drain on safety.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Swim hard toward it and try to get up and over it
If avoidance fails, swim hard toward the strainer and try to get as much of your body up and over it as possible.
Groan of the day: Go over, not under, that strainer.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: A tree fallen or leaning over the river, still rooted on shore
Sweepers are rooted trees fallen or leaning over the river, and in fast water they pose a serious hazard.
Groan of the day: That sweeper is a branch hazard.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: A calm spot behind an obstruction where water revolves horizontally
Eddies form on the downstream face of an obstruction and are typically calm spots to rest or move upstream.
Groan of the day: Eddy: a nice spot to catch your breath.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: The swirling seam between the eddy and the main current
The eddy line is the swirling seam between eddy and main current, and it can spin or grab watercraft.
Groan of the day: Eddy line: a seam of swirling water.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: A person can get trapped underneath them underwater
Undercut rocks can trap a person underneath, and many whitewater deaths have occurred this way.
Groan of the day: Undercut rocks: do not go under.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: A narrow space where water flows between two obstructions
A sieve is a narrow gap between obstructions, usually rocks, where water is forced through at higher velocity.
Groan of the day: Sieve: water gets through, you should not.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Class I to Class VI
The scale classes whitewater in six categories, from Class I (easiest) to Class VI (most difficult).
Groan of the day: Class VI: no class clowning around.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Flat or slow water with few hazards
Class I refers to flat or slow-moving water with few hazards, the easiest and safest class.
Groan of the day: Class I: easy does it.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Rapids that are very dangerous and rarely run
Class VI rapids are the hardest and very dangerous even for experts, and are rarely run.
Groan of the day: Class VI: six out of six on danger.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Landing and carrying the boat around a hazard
Portaging is landing and carrying the boat around a hazard, often done for harder rapids.
Groan of the day: Portage: carry on around.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: It depends on water depth and speed of flow
A rapid's grade is not fixed and can vary greatly with water depth and flow speed.
Groan of the day: Same rapid, different grade: that is a class act.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: They usually become more difficult and dangerous
High water usually makes rapids more difficult and dangerous, and flood stage can add lethal hazards.
Groan of the day: High water: high stakes.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Turbulence traps air, making the water frothy and opaque
Gradient changes can create turbulence that traps air, forming frothy, opaque white water.
Groan of the day: Whitewater: it is full of airs.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: That the rock is not undercut
Pillows normally signal that a rock is not undercut, though undercuts sometimes have pillows too.
Groan of the day: That pillow is a good sign.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: A wall of higher river water at the eddy's edge
An eddy wall forms when river height is much higher than the eddy water, making re-entry difficult.
Groan of the day: Eddy wall: a wall of water to climb.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: They can have swirling currents that trap or flip boats
In very powerful water, eddies can have strong swirling currents that trap or even flip boats.
Groan of the day: Powerful eddy: it can spin you around.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: To see hazards and plan a line before running it
Scouting from shore helps you familiarize yourself with the stream and anticipate challenges before running it.
Groan of the day: Scout first, paddle second.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: During flood conditions when flows have changed things
Flood conditions drastically alter normal conditions, so scouting is especially important then.
Groan of the day: Flood flows: scout before you go.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: At least three persons and three craft
The buddy system for whitewater uses at least three persons and three craft for safety.
Groan of the day: Three paddlers, three boats: buddy up.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: To rescue a swimmer in whitewater
A throw rope is used to rescue a swimmer in whitewater, and swimmers should learn to receive it properly.
Groan of the day: Throw rope: a real lifeline.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: Grab the rope and position for a safe pull
Swimmers should receive the throw rope properly and position themselves for a safe rescue pull.
Groan of the day: Catch the rope, not a cold.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: Perform self-rescue, including a wet exit if needed
Self-rescue in moving water includes a wet exit if necessary, so practice it with your counselor.
Groan of the day: Wet exit: get out and get safe.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: They are part of safety guidelines for protection
Safety Afloat and American Whitewater guidelines include using a helmet and life jacket for protection.
Groan of the day: Helmet and life jacket: safety first class.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: They can happen and need first-aid treatment
Sprains and strains are listed whitewater injuries, so learn prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment.
Groan of the day: Sprain or strain: treat it, do not strain yourself.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: It can occur and needs proper first aid
Shoulder dislocation is a listed whitewater injury, so learn prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment.
Groan of the day: Shoulder dislocation: no arm in knowing first aid.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: It is shorter and more maneuverable for moving water
Whitewater kayaks are often shorter and more maneuverable, and designed to handle water flowing onto their decks.
Groan of the day: Whitewater kayak: short and sharp.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Two inflatable pontoons bridged by a frame
Catarafts are built from two inflatable pontoons bridged by a frame and can be paddled or rowed.
Groan of the day: Cataraft: two pontoons, one good time.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: To displace water when swamped by waves and holes
Airbags and foam displace water when swamped and help float the boat up on its side to spill water.
Groan of the day: Airbags: they float the boat, not the bill.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: A decked craft paddled kneeling with a one-blade paddle
C1s are like whitewater kayaks but paddled kneeling with a one-blade paddle and a spraycover.
Groan of the day: C1: one blade, one kneel.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: A small single-person inflatable craft used feet first
River bugs are small single-person inflatable craft, and river bugging is done feet first with no paddle.
Groan of the day: River bug: small craft, big fun.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: Using a stand up paddle board to run whitewater
Whitewater SUP uses a stand up paddle board to run whitewater, with more safety gear than flat water.
Groan of the day: SUP on whitewater: stand up and paddle.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: A wide flat bottom and extreme rocker for maneuvering
The dory has a wide flat bottom, flared sides, and extreme rocker to spin and maneuver in rapids.
Groan of the day: That dory has rocker and rolls with it.
Sources: Whitewater
Short answer: To know how and why each item is used safely
Reviewing personal and group equipment helps you understand how and why each item is used for safety.
Groan of the day: Gear up before you go.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: Route, schedule, equipment, safety, and emergency procedures
A written plan should specify route, schedule, equipment, safety precautions, and emergency procedures.
Groan of the day: Plan the trip, trip the plan.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: Tilting the boat without leaning your body
Edging means tilting the boat without leaning your body, useful when entering eddies and ferrying.
Groan of the day: Edge the boat, not yourself.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: When entering and exiting an eddy and when ferrying
Edging helps when entering and exiting an eddy and when ferrying downstream and upstream.
Groan of the day: Eddy entry: edge with ease.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: To choose the best line and avoid hazards
Reading a Class II section means describing desirable lines, alternatives, and how to avoid hazards.
Groan of the day: Read the river like a book.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: They can create drops and hydraulics
Ledges are river features that can create drops and hydraulics, so boaters learn to read them.
Groan of the day: Ledge: a real drop in the action.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: They can trap boaters and need to be avoided
Hydraulics over ledges or low-head dams are hazards that can trap boaters, so learn to anticipate and avoid them.
Groan of the day: Hydraulics: a real trap.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: They can happen in whitewater and need proper care
Head, neck, and back injuries are listed whitewater injuries, so learn prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment.
Groan of the day: Head and neck: handle with care.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: They can happen in whitewater and need first aid
Submersion injuries are listed whitewater injuries, so learn prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment.
Groan of the day: Submersion: a real deep subject.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: They can happen in whitewater and need first aid
Cuts and bruises are listed whitewater injuries, so learn prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment.
Groan of the day: Cuts and bruises: a real rough patch.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
Short answer: They can obstruct flow and trap boaters
Rocks are a listed whitewater hazard, and they can obstruct flow and create dangerous features.
Groan of the day: Rocks: a real hard case.
Sources: Scouting America: Whitewater
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Gradient, constriction, obstruction, and flow rate. Rapids form from gradient, constriction, obstruction, and flow rate, separately or combined.
The swirling seam between the eddy and the main current. The eddy line is the swirling seam between eddy and main current, and it can spin or grab watercraft.
That the rock is not undercut. Pillows normally signal that a rock is not undercut, though undercuts sometimes have pillows too.
They can happen and need first-aid treatment. Sprains and strains are listed whitewater injuries, so learn prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment.
Route, schedule, equipment, safety, and emergency procedures. A written plan should specify route, schedule, equipment, safety precautions, and emergency procedures.
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