Joining a Drive

When joining a drive as a Support Team member, select the correct attendance option based on the drive level.

Newbie and Fewbie Drives

Click MANAGE.

This places you in the drive’s Manage tab rather than taking one of the regular convoy spaces. There is generally room for additional support on Newbie and Fewbie drives, and Support Team members are encouraged to join and assist.

If the drive is already full, the MANAGE option may no longer be available. In this case:

1. Join the waitlist.

2. Message the drive lead on Slack.

3. The drive lead can add you to the drive manually.

Fewbie Plus and Intermediate Drives

Click GOING.

These drives are intentionally kept to a controlled convoy size. Support Team members should not automatically join through the Manage tab, as this could turn a planned six-car drive into a much larger convoy once additional support vehicles are included.

Join as a regular participant first. If the drive lead decides that your space can be released for another driver, they will manually move you to the Manage tab.

 

What Should I Expect?

As a new Support Team member, you will be expected to hit the ground running.

You have already driven with the trip leads, and your ability, judgement, and attitude are known and trusted. That is why you have been promoted to the Support Team.

During a drive, you may be expected to:

• Take the lead on straightforward recoveries.

• Give clear and helpful advice to drivers over the radio.

• Provide the drive lead with updates on convoy movement, delays, and incidents.

• Move through the convoy when needed to assist with stuck vehicles, recoveries, or to get a better view of the situation.

Use your judgement and remain aware of what is happening throughout the convoy. Be proactive, but keep the drive lead informed and avoid creating conflicting instructions.

Ask for Feedback

At the end of every drive, approach the drive lead and ask for feedback.

Ask how the drive went, how you performed, and whether there is anything you should do differently next time. Regular feedback is an important part of developing your recovery, communication, and convoy-management skills.

Provide Feedback

Support Team members also help the club understand how drivers are progressing and where additional support may be needed.

Small, immediate improvements can often be addressed there and then. A short, clear suggestion over the radio may be appropriate when it helps the driver correct something during the drive.

Persistent or more significant issues should be handled differently:

1. Speak with the driver during a break, when there is more time and attention available.
2. Share the observation in the relevant Slack member-data channel so other Carnity team members can monitor the issue and provide consistent support.

As a general rule, praise should be shared publicly. Feedback and coaching should be given discreetly and respectfully, without embarrassing the driver in front of the convoy.

Keep all feedback factual, constructive, and based on what you personally observed. The aim is to help drivers improve, not simply to record mistakes.

 

How Do I Know What to Do?

Desert recovery training sessions will be run periodically by the Marshals. These sessions will give you practical experience with common stucks, recovery techniques, radio communication, and managing the recovery area.

Until you attend a training session, read the attached recovery notes and remember the following principles.

Give Directions from the Driver’s Perspective

Always direct a driver from their point of view.

When you say “turn left,” the driver should turn their steering wheel to their left, regardless of where you are standing or which direction you are facing.

Give Clear, Action-Based Instructions

Radio communication should be a clear call to action.

Keep instructions short, prompt, and positive. Tell the driver exactly what you want them to do:

• “Turn left.”
• “Straighten the wheels.”
• “Reverse slowly.”
• “Stop.”

Avoid long explanations or negative instructions such as “don’t turn right”, which can be misunderstood under pressure. Say what the driver should do, rather than what they should avoid doing.

For critical or multi-step instructions, check that the driver has understood the plan before they move. Ask them to repeat it back:

“Confirm the plan back to me before you move.”

This is especially important when visibility is poor, several actions are required, or an incorrect movement could make the situation worse.

Clear instructions, one action at a time, are easier for the driver to understand and safer for everyone involved.

Announce When You Are Taking the Lead

When you are going to manage a recovery, announce it clearly over the radio:

“This is Luke. I will assist the purple FJ with this stuck.”

This lets the drive lead and other Support Team members know that you are handling the situation.

Once you have announced that you are taking the lead, the other team members will give you space to assess the stuck and direct the recovery. This prevents the driver from receiving multiple or conflicting instructions.

You are never expected to handle a situation alone. You can ask the drive lead, a Marshal, or another Support Team member for advice or assistance at any time. Everyone is encouraged to support one another and step in when requested.

Respect Whoever Is Managing the Recovery

If another Support Team member has announced that they are handling the situation, allow them to lead.

Do not give additional instructions to the driver unless the person managing the recovery asks for your input. Conflicting advice can confuse the driver and make the recovery less safe.

You can still assist by:

• Shovelling where needed.

• Bringing recovery equipment.

• Managing the surrounding vehicles.

• Keeping the recovery area clear.

One person should direct the driver, but the whole team can help.
 

What Next?

The most important thing to remember is that you are a problem solver and are there to help.

Enjoy working through the situation, use your judgement, and do not be afraid to ask for advice or assistance. Nobody expects you to know everything, and the wider team is always available to help.

Take Time to Reset

After a heavy recovery, especially in hot conditions, take the time you need to recover properly.

There is no rush. Pack your equipment carefully, drink plenty of water, sit in the air conditioning for a few minutes, and make sure you are ready before continuing.

Your safety and wellbeing are more important than saving a few minutes.

Ask Questions

For any further questions, speak to a drive lead or ask in Slack so the wider club brains trust can share its experience.

Most importantly, enjoy this new aspect of club driving and the opportunity to help others develop their skills.

8/5/2026

Onboarding for Support Team

When joining a drive as a Support Team member, select the correct attendance option based on the drive level.

Newbie and Fewbie Drives

Click MANAGE.

This places you in the drive’s Manage tab rather than taking one of the regular convoy spaces. There is generally room for additional support on Newbie and Fewbie drives, and Support Team members are encouraged to join and assist.

If the drive is already full, the MANAGE option may no longer be available. In this case:

1. Join the waitlist.

2. Message the drive lead on Slack.

3. The drive lead can add you to the drive manually.

Fewbie Plus and Intermediate Drives

Click GOING.

These drives are intentionally kept to a controlled convoy size. Support Team members should not automatically join through the Manage tab, as this could turn a planned six-car drive into a much larger convoy once additional support vehicles are included.

Join as a regular participant first. If the drive lead decides that your space can be released for another driver, they will manually move you to the Manage tab.

 

What Should I Expect?

As a new Support Team member, you will be expected to hit the ground running.

You have already driven with the trip leads, and your ability, judgement, and attitude are known and trusted. That is why you have been promoted to the Support Team.

During a drive, you may be expected to:

• Take the lead on straightforward recoveries.

• Give clear and helpful advice to drivers over the radio.

• Provide the drive lead with updates on convoy movement, delays, and incidents.

• Move through the convoy when needed to assist with stuck vehicles, recoveries, or to get a better view of the situation.

Use your judgement and remain aware of what is happening throughout the convoy. Be proactive, but keep the drive lead informed and avoid creating conflicting instructions.

Ask for Feedback

At the end of every drive, approach the drive lead and ask for feedback.

Ask how the drive went, how you performed, and whether there is anything you should do differently next time. Regular feedback is an important part of developing your recovery, communication, and convoy-management skills.

Provide Feedback

Support Team members also help the club understand how other drivers are progressing.

Take note of the good, the bad, and the ugly during the drive. Afterward, provide fair and appropriate feedback in the relevant Slack member-data channels.

Feedback should be factual, constructive, and based on what you personally observed during the drive.

 

How Do I Know What to Do?

Desert recovery training sessions will be run periodically by the Marshals. These sessions will give you practical experience with common stucks, recovery techniques, radio communication, and managing the recovery area.

Until you attend a training session, read the attached recovery notes and remember the following principles.

Give Directions from the Driver’s Perspective

Always direct a driver from their point of view.

When you say “turn left,” the driver should turn their steering wheel to their left, regardless of where you are standing or which direction you are facing.

Keep your instructions short, clear, and consistent.

Announce When You Are Taking the Lead

When you are going to manage a recovery, announce it clearly over the radio:

“This is Luke. I will assist the purple FJ with this stuck.”

This lets the drive lead and other Support Team members know that you are handling the situation.

Once you have announced that you are taking the lead, the other team members will give you space to assess the stuck and direct the recovery. This prevents the driver from receiving multiple or conflicting instructions.

You are never expected to handle a situation alone. You can ask the drive lead, a Marshal, or another Support Team member for advice or assistance at any time. Everyone is encouraged to support one another and step in when requested.

Respect Whoever Is Managing the Recovery

If another Support Team member has announced that they are handling the situation, allow them to lead.

Do not give additional instructions to the driver unless the person managing the recovery asks for your input. Conflicting advice can confuse the driver and make the recovery less safe.

You can still assist by:

• Shovelling where needed.

• Bringing recovery equipment.

• Managing the surrounding vehicles.

• Keeping the recovery area clear.

One person should direct the driver, but the whole team can help.

 

What Next?

The most important thing to remember is that you are a problem solver and are there to help.

Enjoy working through the situation, use your judgement, and do not be afraid to ask for advice or assistance. Nobody expects you to know everything, and the wider team is always available to help.

Take Time to Reset

After a heavy recovery, especially in hot conditions, take the time you need to recover properly.

There is no rush. Pack your equipment carefully, drink plenty of water, sit in the air conditioning for a few minutes, and make sure you are ready before continuing.

Your safety and wellbeing are more important than saving a few minutes.

Ask Questions

For any further questions, speak to a drive lead or ask in Slack so the wider club brains trust can share its experience.

Most importantly, enjoy this new aspect of club driving and the opportunity to help others develop their skills.