Importance: Critical! You have an assignment at the end of this lesson.
This lesson looks at how to deal with problems that may occur during a SUP activity. This is a vitally important part of the course, hence the extra time devoted to it. The lesson will take around an hour to complete, but has been broken into smaller subsections so as to make it easier to digest.
The first training video discusses the general approach for dealing with problems. Once you’ve watched this you will have the opportunity to consider how you would deal with some scenarios. Finally, you will have an assignment in which you deal with a problem.
Now that you have watched the video and are familiar with the GAGA approach, consider the following scenarios. With each one, consider how you would handle the problem. Write it down in GAGA format – ie start with how you would handle and utilise the group, then your assessment of the situation and how it’s going to play out, then consider whether you’re going to need to get help or not, and if so, how you’d do it, and finally, what actions you’d take. When you’ve done all that, listen to the video debrief of the problem and see how it compares to your own notes.
So – pretty much the ultimate nightmare scenario for an instructor! But it has happened, and it may happen to you. Consider how you would handle this serious medical emergency scenario – write down your thoughts for each stage of the GAGA process, then watch the video below to see how it compares to your own notes.
This first example has hopefully given you a clearer grasp of how to use the GAGA approach to best effect. With that in mind, now have a go at the next problem scenario:
Not an uncommon scenario in many parts of the world. So, consider how you would handle it – write down your thoughts for each stage of the GAGA process, then watch this next video to see how it compares to your own notes.
And one more…
Here in New Zealand, where most sandy bays have lots of large sting rays, and we’re blessed with a fairly healthy population of dolphins and sharks, this is something that most instructors will experience from time to time. So, have a think about how you would handle this particular scenario – write down your thoughts for each stage of the GAGA process, then watch this video to see how it compares to your own notes.
Hopefully these examples have given you a clearer picture of how to use the GAGA process to best effect. Please note that the options and actions discussed in each video are by no means the only approach, every scenario is different, as there are so many parameters involved. This process is all about getting you thinking for yourself about what you might do in your particular environment.
Now it’s your turn. Click on the link in the Lesson Content box below to submit your own GAGA solution for a problem scenario.
You may then proceed to the next module.
Is there anything that we haven’t covered in this lesson, but which you would consider important/essential information in this particular area of knowledge? Or anything specific to your part of the world that differs or diverges significantly from what we are suggesting or recommending? If so, please contact us at supinstructorsnz@gmail.com and let us know about it.