The Activity

Each team receives a Brief. It tells them they are part of a four-person team on a flight over Canadian territory en route to a fishing holiday in a remote location.

Their seaplane is fitted with amphibious floats and when the engine falters it crash lands in the wilderness killing the pilot. The plane points in the direction the pilot was flying and his last words were that they were 20 minutes flying time from the destination (so knowing their speed they can work out how far they are from their goal).

There are 15 items that have survived the plane crash. No food or water but some useful items that might help with survival. Teams do NOT rank these items but can use them in any plan they come up with.

Each team's objective is to plan a way forward. They have limited time - just 20-30 minutes! Should they stay with the plane? Striking off into the wilderness, especially as two of the team are slightly injured, without food and water, compass or map could be dangerous.

Teams must sum up the situation, list the options and decide on a plan. Good leadership and decisiveness required.

Trainer's Role

• Divide your group into teams and explain the general nature of what is going to happen. (Do not go into detail or repeat what is on the Team Brief.)
• Issue a Team Brief to each team (paper OR digital version).
• Write down the current time on a flipchart or whiteboard or announce the time. Tell teams they have 20 minutes for the task (you may want to extend this to 25 or 30 minutes). If using the digital version, ask participants to select the length of the activity you have decided on.
• Observe the teams at work. Note how their discussions progress, how they work as a team, whether they elect a leader or one emerges etc.
• Stop the activity at the deadline. (You may want to give extra time if they are behind schedule. It's up to you.)
• Start the Debrief: ask each team to report back on how they approached the task, what options they considered and their final plans. Allow teams to quiz each other on their decisions.
• Use the Trainer's Notes to raise points for discussion.
• Finally, ask teams what they learned from the session about themselves and their teamwork. What lessons can they take away from the experience? Draw up a set of learning points that can be taken back to the workplace.

Full guidance is provided in the Trainer's Notes.

Pack Contents

• Trainer's Notes (supplied as a PDF)
• Team Brief (as a PDF file for printing)
• Team Brief as a digital version

This activity is delivered electronically via digital download. Upon purchase, you will receive a link to download the above documents electronically. Delivery charges do not apply.