- Joseph & Khai

Is there a possibility to:

1) Able to keep to 1 night of sentry for the pax as much as possible to ensure sufficient rest.

2) To look into the necessity of doing sentry at places with security in place, such as Temasek Polytechnic.

In the ops guide for mainland campuses as of 12 Jan 2024, there is no wet weather plan stated for mainland campsites. Are we able to add them into the ops guide especially for places that have limited sheltered area to pitch tents (ie. Passionwave bedok, Temasek Poly)

-ECC IC, Shannon (on behalf of ECC Trainers)

There are instructors on the ground who allows/get pax to use tong to top up solid fuel; while some use it only on food.

I had taken over a store and had seen white substance (most likely solid fuel residue) still sticking on the tong.

Can we get a clear message (preferably during EOC) so all instructors are aware whether this practice of using it for fuel is allows? Or it's simply instructor's discretion and our own check to ensure the safety of our pax.

Thank you..

Soon Ming.

What can we know which faces are these ?

It is very confusing even when using actual compass bearing the north bearing actually does not point to any obvious face only the pole in between the middle of two poles.

Is it possible to state like previously (zz log / DDD)

-Cx

Camp 2 Bravo

Many resources as seen were wasted due to the need in exchanging and many human resources have to be invested in exchanging these items. Furthermore, expeditions were pushed to start later to ensure all the required safety items are on board.

Root problem: Boxes lid are loose and not air tight due to not having rubber seal - it is not air tight in other words. Water always gets in during heavy rain or when boats are flooded (which happens very often).

In addition, the box cant fit into the hatches of SP, if we slant it and fit in, the SP seat is sitting on the handle of the box hence it will damage the box if we force the SP seat closed.

Proposal: To change the boxes to air tight or small barrel type. Small barrel may be longer lasting as rubber can shrink due to the environment.

ST mentioned there are still existing boxes in store - if we can use it for other purposes that would be best.

If not, a more suitable box for future use instead of re-stocking the same current box in order to be more efficient and effective for future programmes would be best.

Attached are the pictures taken when standbys had to replace and manage the equipment that were submerged in water.

Published by Sly, and all the standbys this week ( 22-26 Jan)

- For element “X” that will be used in AM & PM (based on program), AM instructor will inspect and submit the form. PM instructor does not need to re-inspect nor resubmit form.

Scenario 1: AM program change

AM instructor did not inspect nor submit form. PM instructor unaware that inspection was not done, and conducted without inspection or submission of form.

>> Should we consider having the PM instructor do the inspection and submission of form as well?

Scenario 2: Lapse in checks, resulting in faulty element not reported initially.

AM instructor inspected and submitted form, without realising that there was an issue. However, prior to PM conduct, PM instructor observed that something is faulty.

>> Should we submit another form to flag out the issue?

>> Or is it sufficient to send a Workchat text to update Ops room?

From, Ernest & Li Ying

Is it compulsory or is it just a practice to remove necklaces for heights conduct?

• Many have referred to TSR that “necklaces” are not mentioned.

• TSR: “Anyone participating in the activity should be free of hard objects such as bangles, watches and rings, on their body.”

Li Ying

Q2: Or is there a zero tolerance policy to refer to on going under the jetty/structures?

- this with the context that if RAMS is done properly and there is clearly sufficient space to pilot under. With also the context that we are willing to take responsibility should there be damage to the craft.

- asking for clarity so that we can share clearly on the future practice/preference, official stance and understanding on this topic. Not trying to test system ok!

Thanks!

- Joseph & Chong

This week there were some instructors who were considering doing trust fall as the trust activity, however, we had challenges finding guidelines if we were able to proceed with the conduct as the TSR does not mention that there are exclusions.

~ Nathan

Just seeking clarification for helmets wise, on MET tower and CRC towers at ECC from EIT as mentioned that a helmet is not required when doing dispatch of participants.

But for Hill 31 a helmet is required is it because hill 31 has no railings but MET and CRC towers has ? In both cases Instructors are on restrain

Just seeking rational

- CX (Training Unit )

• Dragonboat feels like it is deliberately being delayed

• Last year briefing took 15-20min

• Previously briefing was succinct, mainly focusing on wearing of PFD

This week's total briefing duration:

- ECC A: 30min

- ECC B & C: 45min

Breakdown:

- PFD briefing 10-15min

- Varied "E&SE" content varied

ECC A & B: 20min - Addressing trash around but not about the protecting nature, impact etc. Appeared unstructured.

ECC C: 20min - More of a "Did you know?" And fun fact session.

Impact:

- Instr feel that pax limited water time will be further reduced vs their friends in Ubin/RAC

Request clarification if there is a new syllabus or other considerations leading to the lengthen briefing.

Fahmi on behalf of ECC instructors

Fahmi on behalf of ECC WIs

MOC 26 Feb - 1 Mar

Reasons:

1) Most of us ended our key activities around the same time.

2) Some instructors also like to conduct some simple water activities alongside water confidence test, and this takes up more time for the activity.

Can we perhaps increase the number of PFDs available for use at ECC, especially those of smaller sizes.

Thanks..

Soon Ming

Reason 1: Participants in C1 have limited shower cubicles to use (EVL wall and Swimming Pool) in Camp 1. As such they tend to require more time to shower as they need to queue up.

Installing bidets will give them the option to use the bidets for showering.

Reason 2: Using water to cleanse ourselves reduces paper usage. This reduces costs and is in line with OBS philosophy on LNT. It will benefit both staff and participants.

Peter Ang

Does it apply to participate as well?

Karim

Will it be fine, if the watch instructor opt to cook instead at the Helipad area near the boys toilet and the bell, where TSR is adhered, RAMS done, it does not block anyone and area usage deconflicted.

Reason: its a risk for the pax to carry the large jerry can up to c&c and a lot of hassle to for the pax to clean their cooking equipment. Alternatives like using pax individual bottles collectively for water, poses a hygene risk.

Since cooking at helipad is still outdoor cooking, it should not defray from the course objectives.

Hence, can we be allowed to choose either of the 2 sites to perform our outdoor cooking under the abovementioned conditions?

Thank you.

Peter Ang.

Based on what MLO mentioned, it is now supposed to be for petrol cans. However, based on the video, it cannot fit. (refer to video above)

Can we have the brackets for all SPs removed so that we can fit other things such as sea ex box / petrol cans in those spaces?

• CX (Training Unit )

At the current juncture, pax are using jack knives to peel potatoes, posing safety concerns.

For LO assistance please. - ECC OIC, Eng.

I think the round stoves in c1 could be a good alternative to be provided for trainers to consider using, or can even give windshield in pax store to use on expedition also

• osh

Rationale for this request: I think using these better suited scrubs would be able to better preserve the longevity of our equipment. But it shouldn't be provided as a store item due to hygiene, rather just as an expendable item so trainers can control it better, that would be great

Thanks!

- Osh

(Ground anchor is tie with a fig.8 bight where a belay device and carabiner is attached to the rope linked the climber.)

Rationale:

Was conducting a buddy watch for pamper pole at C2, where 1 instructor helped to check pax's ppe and clipped them in on the harness, while the other acts as the belayer. Had to clip in and out of my belay loop when I change between lanes, and helped to check in on pax (when there's no climber). Just wondering if instructor are required to clip in that carabiner as how we brief pax for similar ground anchor setup, like inverse tower.

Thank you.

Soon Ming

~Nathan

- Is it supposed to be via the OBS Medical hotline or can the staff call the duty nurse directly?

- Is it a must to teleconsult before posting in " Ops room + WI chat group"?

~Nathan

To clarify: if there is an emergency and instructor is not around, pax are expected to head over to their instructor’s area in C1, or Ops Room?

Aisyah, 9 July 2024

is there a need for fire bell for emergencies?

Last year it was raised up for C2 when only 2 were provided in the expendables cabinet, the decision was to provide 10 in c2. Can we do the same in mainland smart lockers too?

These few weeks we faced the issue in ECC where the wind was very strong during outdoor cooking, even with measures like human shield to block wind, toyogo box cover to block wind, it is still very difficult to light the fires, and the having lighters with insufficient lighter fluid exacerbates the issue

Osh, on behalf of ecc A 18/7/24

May we know the purpose of this trial and is there any action needed from the Instructors?

By Azzah on behalf of ECC instr

Reason I'm asking this is I have observed some watches arriving and pitching tents at 1pm (it was later clarified that they should not pitch tents till after 5pm for that particular Mainland external campsite), and when I approached the instructors to clarify, they mentioned that their pax had embarked on expedition since 8am; pax were already mentally and physically drained; and it is not started anywhere that they must arrive at campsite after a certain time.

-Osh

• Medication (Prescribed Supplement?)

• Supplements (Vit C?, Energy tablet?)

• Prescribed (TCM?)

• Consumed (Inhaler?)

• ...etc

Are clearly defined or given a brief statement of what it means to the organizationso as not to create confusion in the sense of "Layman vs Policymaker's" definition. This definitions can be shared on KL or a preface to the policies.

Thank you for your time. Much appreciated

Sufyan.

For this week in ECC there were multiple cases where pax were sent back to ECC by ONP without the knowledge of ECC OIC. The SB team only realise when pax were seen walking around in campus.

What happened:

Inst called MST for tele consult, and decision was made to extract pax back to ECC.

Can we check on who's responsible to inform ECC OIC when pax are being sent back? And what's the arrange work flow when inst requires extraction?

Thanks

Soon Ming on behalf of ECC (12-16 Aug)

Is it possible to have extra rations with longer lifespan (e.g. Biscuits like Oreos etc.) to be kept in campus separately and be provided to pax when needed?

Example: 1 -2 carton of Oreos to be kept in ECC main office; and this emergency rations will only be given out when it was observed that pax food is running low/insufficient by the instructor.

Reasons:

It was observed this week for watches with more boys pax, the rations given was insufficient (9B5G; 10B2G) as the boys generally have a bigger appetite. Pax runs out of food before day 4 of their expeditions.

Soon Ming on behalf of ECC trainers.

I’d like to question the practice of SB sending Sandpipers to RAC for D1 and then picking them back again after the orientation:

1. How did this practice come about?

2. Why was the CD reluctant to allow me to send the boats in advance? I.e. send at their starting time only.

3. Why does the ops team still need to bring back all the boats?

D1 coord is usually at 1930 but love notes ask for health check to be done by 1900, what is the point of asking it to be done by a timing already past?

D4 coord at 1930 and love notes ask for health check by 2000

Osh, on behalf of c2, 19-23 aug

Current State: Bee Hoon & Vegetable Stock & Luncheon Meat for Day 2 Dinner / Nasi Lemak Rice & Mock Abalone for Day 3 dinner

Consideration(Specifically for outdoor cooking):

• Pax’s nutritional value requirements VS intake

• Variety

-RAC WIs

• We would greatly appreciate if there's regular cleaning and maintenance of the MPH &/or preventive measures of birds perching and pooping in our indoor areas. Can perhaps refer to what some coffeeshop / hawker use to prevent e.g. fixing plastic spikes that prevent birds from perching on structures.

It states that instructor must have their FAK when conducting all activities.

Would this include activities not covered by the TSR (debriefs, walking to bunk/store, etc)?

Or is it just activities as per the TSR.

Solution:

To space out these watches at further store locations not within the same building.

During the recent 4-week course break, some instructors had also notice the lack of weekly cleaning as compared to before that.

For this week of course running (14-18 Oct), the floors in blk 2 dorm had not been cleaned.

I am reaching out to make sure we have a common understanding on the matter. There have been varying levels of understanding on what to do.

Issue:

Retrieve line drops / breaks from belay school element.

Question:

What are the proper steps that TAD / OSM recommends for when the instructors need to carry out rectifications?

Warmest regards,

Argyrios

The out pro boats don't necessarily come to ppj according to group number. So when they are distributed into group number, they need to leave an unknown size of a gap for the groups that have not reached. Sometimes we can have up to 44 groups outpro-ing at RAC. Arranging in group level will make it a very wide group. For the pax, they need to keep asking around what group numbers are there. It's been observed a few times that after the teachers collect them, they rearrange until classes anyway.

If we arrange then in class level, all of them would know who their classmates are so naturally they know where to gather. For CS managing, we don't have to instruct or assist them about the group numbers.

I've asked around several CS this week, most preferred to have it in class level.

-Osh, CS for 13-17 Jan week

If it is a trial, is there a more formal channel for instructiors to submit feedback and for the data to be collated.

Thank you

Petrisson (TU)

_{I have a feedback/clarification after a challenge arose during the recent MOC course (13-17 Jan at ECC) regarding participant distribution from Grp 36. The watch composition presented challenges during the land expedition, and this led to a request for additional trailwalkers for the remaining days of the expedition.}

_{For context, the watch composition included:}

• _{3 participants with scoliosis}

• _{1 participant with a pre-existing knee injury}

• _{2 males and 10 females}

• _{6 out of 12 participants under 45kg}

_{While it's understood that the PM team strives to balance distributions and cannot predict absences or undeclared medical conditions, there may be room for improvement in mitigating certain factors in advance.}

_{Concerns and observations:}

1. _{Medical conditions: Four participants in the watch had medical conditions likely requiring trailwalkers and only 2 trailwalkers are available for use per watch store. This information was available on their enrollment forms.}

2. _{Weight distribution: Half of the participants were under 45kg, which affected load distribution capabilities.}

3. _{Gender ratio: The 2:10 male:female ratio may have impacted the overall physical capacity of the watch.}

4. _{Safety considerations: The use of additional trailwalkers posed potential risks:}

   • _{Limited space at pedestrian waiting areas on some islands}

   • _{Narrow walkways on the onion route approach to checkpoints}

5. _{Load management: Despite efforts to redistribute loads among participants and existing trailwalkers, the options were limited.}

_{Perhaps the following can be taken into greater consideration for future group allocations:}

1. _{Utilise medical information from enrollment forms to anticipate potential challenges and distribute participants with known medical conditions more evenly across watches before issuing out the nominal roll.}

2. _{Review the process of allocating participants based on weight and gender to ensure a more balanced composition in each watch.}

_{Clarification:}

_{Will PM transfer or swap participants to other watches if instructors voice out their valid concerns before meeting their respective groups?}

This week caterer allowed pax to collect themselves.

Thanks

Osh

Thank you

ECC instructors

Linens

- not clear where to put the linens as there was no blue bag on d2 for c1b to place the dirty linens even after 9am. End up c1b put at the box outside

- other days there was a blue bag but it is too small to put everything in

- unsure of the standard. Pictorial guide will be good. Do we need to fold? Separate or everything together?

- 9am is a strange timing. Esp if it is KOP.

Can we still hoist a person up to rectify it?

If this is no longer a process, what is the purpose of the helmet and harness in the cutter sea ex box?

Kaixiang

Recently, I heard on the ground that participants may be briefed on holding the handles and deckline together and other variations.

I would like to clarify what is actually load-bearing? The handles, the d-ring attachment, the d-ring or the marine rope?

Understand that participants hold on to the deckline while in water so it is 'load-bearing' a relatively lighter load.

-Ginger

In ECC context, as water confidence is a short activity just outside the ECC compound and the students are not doing any other water-based activity after (as opposed to Ubin where they continue with KOP etc), is it possible for instructors to use the STE PFDs instead?

What would be the considerations for instructors to still use their issued PFDs in this context?

- Kristine on behalf of ECC trainers

I conducted the ECC Zip Wire this week and I have some recommendations:

1. To have a steel carabiner for the flying unit restrain instead if the aluminum carabiner that is currently used.

2. To remove the snap link (refer to photo) on the black lanyard as there is no use for the snap link. It was previously used to hold down the zip wire on the receiving end for ease of removing pax from the system. But now the ladder is tall enough for the receive without the snap link.

3. There are currently 3 normal sized and 2 large full body harnesses for use. Could we have more normal sized ones (2 more) to facilitate a better conduct in terms of transition and continuous flow of dispatch.

4. Could there be a resource for the ECC Zip Wire? The resource can be more on the rigging, dispatch and receiving as a guide for those who are returning to ECC on course. It could be in forms of videos or other documents. This is in similar to the learning resources we have for abseil, CRC and TCM.

Thank you for your consideration!

Ama

When trimming the engine in Shallow water or when fast reaction is needed, it becomes quite cumbersome to trim and difficult to look forward

Could we install switches somewhere else? For example the c2 CNC park lights have their switches on the lamp post itself.

-Osh

Is there going to be any process review to how we deposit the store keys at RAC?

Jack

At last week (24 Oct)’s EOC, it was mentioned that all Piranha kayaks have been shifted to C2 as of last week, including the spray skirts specifically sized for Piranha cockpits.

As some Instructors are bigger/taller in size, we have found the new Piranha kayaks a vast improvement over the existing Bandit/Dancer/Turbo kayaks in allowing us to carry out our KOP, since the increased size and legroom helps a lot. However, now that they are only available at C2, it means that those on course in C1 are restricted to the use of the older, smaller models.

At the same time, some Instructors still do prefer the old kayaks due to familiarity and smaller sizing.

Would it be possible to have a mix of the new (Piranha) and older kayaks at both campuses, to allow for greater flexibility of choice when we conduct KOP?

-David

There are such QR code printed for watches in C1 & C2.

1. Poncho - they looks mouldy

2. Chopping board - grey stain can be seen at the middle portion

3. Cleaning cloth

4. The portable stove - very rusty and dirty

Thank you!

- xinyi

However in c1 have 10 watches but there’s 2 isos covering at night

The ratio seems off

Seeing how coney is much closer to c2 also

~ Nathan

~Nathan

Would like to understand the rational behind why sentry duty is required for PWPR. Thank you!

Shannon