Cargo net crawling requires participants to move beneath suspended netting whilst staying low to avoid getting caught, often through mud or water that adds resistance and difficulty.
The refugee parallel
This obstacle represents the vulnerable positions refugees must adopt to avoid detection – crawling under surveillance equipment, staying hidden beneath structures, or moving through spaces where standing up would mean being spotted by authorities or hostile forces.
Your role as leader
Setting the scene Approach with urgent caution:
- “Keep your heads down – the patrol route goes right over us”
- “This netting will catch us if we try to stand – we crawl or we get caught”
- “Stay low and move steadily – detection means being sent back”
Leading by example
- Enter the crawl space first to demonstrate the technique
- Show proper body positioning – flat crawling when necessary
- Demonstrate how to move efficiently whilst staying low
- Manage your modest clothing practically whilst maintaining coverage
- Emerge calmly to guide others through
Supporting your group From the exit point:
- Guide positioning: “Stay flat – that section hangs lower than it looks”
- Provide technique advice: “Use your elbows and toes – keep your body low”
- Offer encouragement: “You’re moving perfectly – invisible and determined”
- Celebrate successful passage: “Excellent – you stayed hidden throughout”
Maintaining the experience
Build collective stealth
- “We move like shadows – silent and unseen”
- “Every person must make it through undetected”
- “This netting wants to trap us, but we’re too smart for that”
Handle claustrophobia and frustration When someone struggles with the confined space:
- Acknowledge difficulty: “I know it feels trapped – that’s exactly why we must master this”
- Build focus: “Think only about the next movement forward – nothing else matters”
- Provide hope: “You’re closer to the exit than you think – keep pushing forward”
- Connect to survival: “Sometimes staying hidden is the only way to stay safe”
After the crawl
- Acknowledge mental strength: “You conquered the fear of being trapped”
- Build collective pride: “Everyone stayed low and hidden – we protected each other”
- Connect to resilience: “You proved you’ll do whatever it takes to avoid capture”
Working with course instructors
The professional instructor will:
- Ensure netting safety and appropriate height clearance
- Monitor for participants experiencing genuine panic
- Provide technique guidance for efficient crawling
- Manage spacing to prevent overcrowding under the net
Your role focuses on:
- Maintaining the narrative of avoiding detection through staying hidden
- Building mental resilience against claustrophobic feelings
- Encouraging collective responsibility for silent, invisible movement
- Connecting the challenge to survival instincts and determination
Managing different physical abilities
For naturally flexible participants
- “Your ability to stay low helps others see what’s possible”
- “Show the others how to move efficiently without getting caught”
For those who struggle with low crawling
- “This tests everyone differently – your determination is what matters”
- “Every inch forward shows incredible courage”
- “Focus on progress, not perfection – you’re moving toward freedom”
Alternative techniques
- Demonstrate belly crawling versus hands-and-knees approaches
- Show how to use elbows and toes for propulsion
- Encourage whatever movement keeps participants low and progressing
Building mental focus under pressure
Before entering
- “Look at the path ahead – visualise yourself moving smoothly through”
- “Your body knows how to do this – trust your instincts to stay low”
- “Think only about reaching the other side – nothing else exists right now”
During the crawl
- Provide calm verbal guidance for anyone struggling
- Keep instructions simple and confidence-building
- Monitor for genuine panic versus normal discomfort
For those who get stuck or panic
- “Listen to my voice – you’re not trapped, you’re choosing to stay hidden”
- “Breathe steadily and move just one elbow forward”
- “You’re braver than the fear – prove it with your next movement”
Special considerations for modest dress
Practical preparation
- Help participants secure loose clothing before entering
- Show techniques for maintaining coverage while crawling
- Demonstrate efficient movement that preserves modesty
During the crawl
- Keep focus on technique and progress rather than positioning
- Encourage practical thinking about managing clothing
- Support dignity throughout the challenging movement
After emerging
- Allow participants to adjust clothing with dignity
- Focus immediately on the achievement accomplished
- Use the shared experience to build group bonds
Key reminders
- Lead with calm determination despite confining conditions
- Build collective responsibility for everyone’s hidden passage
- Show that mental strength conquers physical discomfort
- Maintain the narrative of survival through staying undetected
- Celebrate persistence and courage over natural ability
- Connect successful passage to the resourcefulness needed in dangerous situations
- Frame the experience as proof that they can endure what seems impossible
- Keep everyone focused on collective survival through mutual support and shared courage