I'm an AFFI. But on a jump that's defined as a Coach jump, I play the role as a Coach. I stay close, and communications are not an issue normally. When they are, I dock and get the student's attention directly ("hey (smack) wake up (smile)")
Beforehand, we review the dive, and it also includes talk about things like pull time. In Coach role, I can give a pull signal to get his attention, the next cue that he needs from me is dumping in front of him.
I pretty much can't pull for him (even if I'm trained on it) at that point, now, can I?
Seems to me, that the Coach has failed in his duty if he hasn't pulled on time in this scenario.
In otherwords, if it gets so damn low, that the coach feels the needs to pull the other guy, rather than his own, then the coach already failed, and it's already too low.
Plan the dive, dive the plan. I think that's the best recipe for success. I want the dive to succeed without me needing be the hero as a result of my own mistake (failing to communicate both methods to pull in time).
If the student makes serious mistakes, then the real discussion would be after the fact about what kind of dive is appropriate next.
Some 100 jump wonder with barely 100 jumps and a fresh coach rating that barely can fall straight down himself? just don't grab the student, watch and observe, ....
Here's my list of what I'd do, as AFFI, on a Coach jump that's not normally allowed:
1 - I'll pull for him if he knocks himself unconscious, but that's a whole different scenario - (and that pull should sure as hell be a LOT higher than normal pull time). I think that this would be most people's opinion, though, AFFI qual'd or not.
2 - I'll take grips, but I don't think harness grips are necessary at this stage, so grippers/arms/nostrils/throat (kidding) - actually, this is allowed
3 - I'll catch and flip a tumbler if he's not fixing it after a sufficient observation period. But my personal deck for that is about 6-7 grand before I go get him (from 13). This one requires a very serious discussion about whether this student shouldn't be back in AFF (I know this now opens up a whole bunch of 'what if' scenarios....)
I can't think of more at this time.....
Agree the coach and the AFF minimums are too easy yet
(This post was edited by rehmwa on Feb 22, 2012, 10:53 AM)
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Post edited by rehmwa
() on Feb 22, 2012, 10:52 AM
Post edited by rehmwa
() on Feb 22, 2012, 10:53 AM
