To pass the Bronze Medallion, students must show they can throw a rescue aid accurately and ensure that it gets to the person in trouble. Students also need to show they can rescue themselves when on thin ice, in a boat that overturns and in a water current. Students need to be able to swim with their head up for 65 feet. They also need to simulate a rescue situation by swimming 65 feet on the surface, diving to the bottom to get a pretend victim, then carrying this victim through the water to safety. Students also need to show that they can prevent themselves from drowning when carrying a struggling victim. Students will also be tested on their swimming speed.
Students also need to be proficient at the most basic and some advanced first aid skills. They must be able to perform one-person CPR on an adult or a child and troubleshoot CPR problems like vomiting. The students need to be able to adapt CPR for those with potential neck and head injuries.
Students also need to be able to deal with choking, including choking in those who are obese or pregnant, which requires a different method.
Students will also be able to care for those who have suffered bleeding, a stroke or a heart attack and provide support while that person is waiting for medical assistance.
Students also need to be able to ensure that an environment is safe and to assess that environment. They will model safe pool behavior and show how to search a pool or beach environment for a victim.
They will show how to rescue someone who is in distress, breathing and does not need to be carried from the water. Students also need to show how to deal with a victim with a potential spinal injury and keep that person still in the water. They need to rescue a victim who is not breathing and show how to rescue someone who is in distress or drowning but conscious.