Guide the Ambulance: Describe Where You Are

A 'casualty' hides somewhere on campus and their partner writes directions without drawing a map; a runner carries the card to the 'ambulance' team, which must find the casualty from the description alone. It trains the hardest part of a 911 call: explaining exactly where you are.

How to play

1. Explanation and groups of five: casualty, caller, runner and two EMTs; review useful landmarks (doors, colors, numbers, directions) (4 min).
2. Round one: casualty and caller go to a spot inside the allowed zone; the caller writes directions on the card (5 min).
3. The runner sprints the card to base and the 'ambulance' searches for the casualty; the search is timed (5 min).
4. Round two with roles switched; 'there', 'over there' or 'next to it' are banned without another landmark (7 min).
5. Debrief: which descriptions worked best and why (4 min).

Rules

• Only go to spots inside the area the teacher marked.
• No drawings or arrows on the card, words only.
• The ambulance runs in open areas and walks in hallways and around corners.
• The casualty can't call out or wave: they just wait.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: be the caller next to the casualty and dictate what they notice; the runner writes it down.
• Limited mobility: hiding spots are accessible; be an EMT guided by a partner, or the caller.
• Students who struggle with reading: the runner reads the card aloud to the ambulance.

Learning goals

• Describe a location with clear landmarks.
• Understand why 'where' is key in a 911 call.
• Work as a team with different roles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cards: 12
• pencils: 6
• pinnies: 6
• stopwatch: 1

Teacher tip

Set and show the allowed zone before starting, with no restrooms or other classes' areas. Common mistake: students use landmarks only they know ('where we sit'); ask for ones a stranger would understand.

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