1st Class Scout requirements from the 3rd ed. of Handbook
for Boys (1927), 32nd printing (May, 1940):
The third edition is significant in the history of Traditional Scouting
because it was the last time that BSA First Class rose to the standard of
Baden-Powell's real-world test of Tenderfoot through First Class Scoutcraft
skills called the "First Class Journey" (requirement #5).
Requirement #4 is interesting because it includes the "Manual Alphabet for the Deaf"
and "Indian Sign Language Code" as optional signaling requirements.
This contradicts the common wisdom that the requirement was dropped because of
advances in technology.
(1) At least two months' service as a Second Class Scout and be able to
identify the rank, length of service and position of leadership of Scouts and
local Scouters by means of their Badges and Insignia.
(2) Swim fifty yards. (Jump overboard, feet first into water slightly over
his head, swim twenty-five yards, make a sharp turn about, and return to the
starting point.)
(3) Earn and deposit at least $2 in a public bank or other savings
institution (premiums paid on life insurance, are accepted if earned), or plant,
raise and market a farm crop or earn and contribute at least two dollars or the
equivalent to the family budget or to welfare work in the community.
(4) Send and receive a message by Semaphore Code, including conventional
signs, thirty letters per minute, or by the General Service Code (International
Morse) sixteen letters per minute, including conventional signs; or by the
Indian Sign Language Code, thirty signs per minute; or the Manual Alphabet for
the Deaf thirty letters per minute.
(5) Make a round trip alone (or with another Scout) to a point at least seven
miles away (fourteen miles in all), going on foot, or rowing a boat, and write a
satisfactory account of the trip and things observed.
(6) (a) Tell what First Aid is and what are its limitations. (b) Review
Second Class First Aid requirements including demonstrations. (c) Show what to
do for-(1) frost-bitten foot; (2) snake bite on hand; (3) mad dog bite; (4) heat
exhaustion and sunstroke, describing difference in appearance. (d) Tell what to
do for-(1) internal poisoning from food or drug; (2) freezing; (3) poisoning
caused by poison ivy, poison sumac, or poison (e) Show how to-(1) use triangular
bandage as sling, and as directed for four of the following injuries-head, eye,
hand, chest, hip, knee, foot (in each case with dressing over wound); (2) apply
splint to broken upper arm and place properly in cravat sling; (3) immobilize
broken collar bone; (4) use neckerchief over shoe to support sprained ankle; (5)
apply finger pressure (digital) to control arterial bleeding of wrist, ankle and
temple; (6) apply tourniquet on upper arm and upper leg at correct pressure
points, and (7) control venous bleeding below knee. (f) Explain necessity for
immediate use of finger pressure control of bleeding; its advantages over
tourniquet, and danger and necessary precautions in use of tourniquet. (g)
Demonstrate with another person: (1) four-hand carry and (2) blanket or
coat-litter carry; (3) a two-man carry with a chair; (4) with three other
persons, method of lifting and transporting through a door and through a narrow
passage a man who is unconscious the Scout himself acting as captain of the
team; (5) Fireman's drag (h) Describe symptoms of various degree of shock, when
to expect and how to deal with them.
(7) Prepare and cook satisfactorily in the open, using camp cooking utensils,
at least one of each of the following three classes of food, as be directed: (1)
Eggs and bacon, hunter's stew, fish, fowl or game (2) pancakes, cornbread,
biscuit or "twist" baked on a stick; (3) oatmeal or other hot cooked
cereal. Give an exact statement of the amount and cost of materials used, and
the number of persons intended to serve.
(8) Read a map correctly, and draw from field notes made on the spot, an
intelligible rough sketch map, indicating by their proper marks important
buildings, roads, trolley lines, main landmarks, principal elevations, etc.
Point out a compass direction without the help of the compass.
(9) Use properly an axe for felling or trimming light timber; or produce an
article of carpentry, cabinet-making, or metal work, made by himself; or
demonstrate repair of a decaying or damaged tree. Explain method followed.
(10) Judge distance, size, number, height and weight within 25 percent.
(11) Be able to identify in the field (1a) 10 species of trees or plants,
including Poison Ivy, noting such characteristic things as bark leaves, flowers,
fruit, and scent; or (1b) 6 species of wild birds noting such characteristics as
plumage, notes, tracks and habits; or (1c) 6 species of native wild animals,
noting characteristic form, color, call, track and habits. (2) Be able to point
out the North Star, and be able to name and point out at least 3 constellations
of stars.
(12) Furnish satisfactory evidence that he has put into practice in his daily
life the principles of the Scout Oath and Law.
