S232 Land based
life journeys and skills
Basha pitching
Being in DOAL one of the modules is Land based. One of the lesson includes Basha pitching. This is a very useful skill as being able to set up a Basha is very handy in the outdoors. Setting up a shelter while not carrying such a huge tent is useful when going on expeditions! This skill has taught me to be alert as setting up a Basha is not easy and requires everything to be properly set up. This is because a small mistake can make the whole Basha fly away. So being alert about how the Basha is being pitched can allow some mishaps from happening.
Diagonal lashing
Diagonal lashing is also one of the few things that I got to learn. These skills taught me to be patient. Learning knots and lashes can be super frustrating but with a little focus, anything is possible. This also applies in our daily lives, as being patient will always bring something meaningful
Orienteering
Another skill that I have picked up is orienteering. One of the most difficult skill I found learning was orienteering. Learning how to read maps and use the compass was lots of fun. This skill will definitely be useful when travelling overseas in the outdoors! I can also use it my daily life whenever I get lost in a huge shopping mall!
A successful attempt on pitching a Basha
How S232 Land based shapes me professionally?
S232 has shaped me in to prepare me professionally. By learning the skills in S232 land based I have grasp the basic knowledge I need to proceed on in the outdoor industry. In camping jobs, most of the skills that I have learnt in class can be applied there. This can be from Basha building to tying knots. Knowing this skills will allow me to carry out jobs assigned to me at anytime as I am familiar with it. I am also able to teach those who requires assistance and help out with any issues should any arise. In my opinion, these new skills opens more opportunity for me in the future as many of these skills can be applied everywhere. As a person who would love to try climbing, I am pretty sure that skills such as my knots can help me in that area. As for lashes, that skill can come handy for when building a DIY raft. I do believe that with this skills and continuous practice of these skills, there are many things I can achieve. Learning these new skills has showed me that I there are many things that I have yet to learn and many more things to explore
S233 water based
How has this module shape me professionally?
This module has been a very meaningful journey in my life. I was never really someone who enjoyed being in the water. I had near drowning experiences in the past so this module has shaped me to be water confident. This module has shaped me professionally for my future. As I am an outdoor student, the job prospects I look forward to is the outdoor industry. So this has shaped me in preparing myself to improve my skills. With these skills, I can then apply it to my working experience. These skills are valuable and will be handy for me in the future.
Eskimo Bow rescue
Water based is one of our other modules. In this module one of skills we get to learn is capsizing in a Kayak! The video is an example of me entering the pool through capsizing! If one thing this module has taught me is that I should never rush anything in life. Understanding the proper techniques is important to get the best result. Same goes for life, being patient will definitely bring something fruitful.
classic draw strokes
What are some challenges I faced while learning this skill is getting my arms and kayak to move the way I want. This skill taught me balance and concentration. A skill that you don't always practice always. This skill is very useful especially during kayaking.
S237 Climb and abseil
How has this module shape me professionally?
This module has been very interesting for me. This has been a very eye opening experience for me. Learning to defy the gravity and being high up above the ground. This module makes me put high expectations for myself and makes me go all out. How this module has shaped me professionally is that I was able to learn the basic safety practices for high elements. This made me more alert and more aware of my surrounding to ensure that the people around me and myself are safe .
Releasable abseil line
This is probably one of the most challenging experience in this module. It is both mentally and physically challenging in my personal experience. However, once I had managed to do it once, I got the courage to try it again. Successfully attempting this skills leaves a great sense of satisfaction and I know will come in handy in the future. This skill is most useful to assist stuck participants.
self-rescue with a jammed top prusik back-up
This skill to me is by far the most coolest and satisfying to me when I attempt it. Doing it on my own is the most challenging part. This skills is definitely useful in the future should I go on an adventure or if it is required for my future job.
S331 Challenge course Management
How has this module shaped me professionally?
This module is a module that I personally feel is the scariest of them all. However, this module prepares me for real life situations. This module equips me with the necessary skills. Skills such as rescue, rigging up, dispatching and pre activity checks.
Pre activity checks
This check is an important part before any activity. It ensures that everything is working smoothly and that safety is not being compromised!
Despatch
As most do not know, dispatching is also an important part of the experience. It addresses the safety of the activity and make participants aware of what they need to do. As an instructor we also can assess their feelings and get to know the participants a bit more by creating small conversations.
Rigging up and Derigging
A skill that I learnt during lesson that allows me to rig up and prepare the area for activity and also cleaning and keeping the things back before ending the day
S332 Sea expedition
Based on NOLS expedition leadership roles, in your opinion, which type of leadership is distinctly shown in the sea expedition
Based on NOLS expedition leadership roles, there were designated leadership. This can be seen where the different ICs took charge of their own individual position. An example would be the sea ICs taking charge by giving us the breakdown the night before heading off. The meal ICs taking charge of the meal prep etc. There were also active followership. This can be seen in the meetings we had. Where we were allowed to give our inputs and work together with the ICs. Peer leadership can also be seen during the expedition where we worked together to pitch the tents and moved the tents around when the strong winds came in. I do feel that self leadership was also shown during the expedition. Everyone did put in the initiative to find out what they could help with.
Refer to the expedition behaviors covered in NOLS 7 leadership skills, highlight which of the ONE behavior was demonstrated strongly and ONE behaviour which was lacking in our expedition. Provide examples.
The one behavior that was demonstrated strongly was Vision and Action. I believe that the leaders for the expedition had good visions and actually carried the visions out. They discussed with one another for the route of the expedition and executed it well. The behavior that was lacking in our expedition was Self-awareness. I think it was made clear by Mr Hiap luh when some of us continued paddling off and did not wait for the others.
Share a positive expedition behavior to compliment and a negative behavior for improvement.
A positive behavior that I want to compliment was when the expedition leaders allowed the ones who were slower to kayak to set the pace for the entire group. Since I was the one who got to set the pace for the group, I felt that it was a morale booster and that it was less tiring on me and also felt that I could keep up with the rest who were faster. One negative behavior for improvements would be anxiety about ability to perform certain skills. I do believe some of us do doubt ourselves regarding our ability to make it to the end of the expedition. This is most probably be because it was most our our first time on a sea expedition.
Sea expedition Highlights by me
