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Ugali

worrying questions

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i work as a packer at a tandem company and get on the loads if there is a free slot avalible. recently ive noticed an increasing number of passengers asking questions like "so how many people die doing this?" and "those parachutes dont work all the time do they?" etc. winding them selves up into a tiz and freaking out the other customers. what do you say to them to calm down?


Tom, Tom Tom, Tommy, Tom Love

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If they're truly going ballistic and I can't calm them down, then they're not going to jump. I don't need the $30 bad enough to deal with it. They can go home and do whatever it is they want to do instead of controlling themselves, listening and learning.

The rest is dependent on how much training you give your tandem student. I've found that if they have a firm understanding of whats going to go on, whats expected of them and what will happen, then that typically keeps everyone calm and having fun. If that doesn't help, then I'll do some breathing exercises with the student while working on their arch. Talking about being relaxed in freefall and their neutral body position.

This is why I do not appreciate other people joking with my students. Not every student needs that sort of ribbing and in some cases it does much more harm then good. My rule of thumb (wrist) is if you see me joking with the student, then join in, but in a similar style and level of joking. This is especially true on the airplane. I would hope the jumpers around me would say "ask him" and point to me if my student asked them something along the lines as you described.
--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

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You know, Dave. That's a damned good idea.

As a simple up-jumper, I used to joke around with them all the time until I started teaching and realized that all that joking could very well be interfering. I now resent, and quickly put a stop to, interference. Your student, you handle it. I won't interfere.
My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

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I get the same kind of questions when I'm packing. I tell the student I just pack 'em, not take tandems, they are welcome to ask their instructor tandem specific questions and while they're waiting, they are welcome to watch me pack.

It doesn't matter that I usually know the answer to their question (my husband's a TI). Every instructor would probably answer the questions a little differently and it's up to the instructor jumping with the student to educate them and make them feel comfortable. It's not my job to interfere with that instructor/student relationship.

I'll sometimes chat with tandem students, as they are waiting to meet instructors just to make them feel welcome at the DZ, but I never joke around with them while the instructor is working with them, gearing them up, or going through hook up procedures in the plane.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

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You know, Dave. That's a damned good idea.

As a simple up-jumper, I used to joke around with them all the time until I started teaching and realized that all that joking could very well be interfering. I now resent, and quickly put a stop to, interference. Your student, you handle it. I won't interfere.



Same here. When I was vidiot I'd often banter back and forth with one TM and his student, then I discovered every TM did not agree with the joking. I never understood why until I became a TM myself. Now my policy is 'follow MY lead'

steveOrino

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I try to calm them down without misleading them. "We're jumping out of an airplane...you do realize it's not the safest thing you could do with your time, right? It's also not the most dangerous thing, but those waivers aren't just for fun. That said, I've done this a couple times, you're going where I go, and I have plans tonight that don't include being hurt. If you do what I tell you, we'll probably be ok. I'm confident enough that I'm willing to go, are you?"

Blues,
Dave
"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

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I try to speak to every tandem I see (as in making sure to say, "Hi). Not to teach, but to encourage and to make them feel welcome to the sport. I also try to say something to folks that are clearly in AFF - just to be friendly.

There's a difference between interfering, and just being hospitable. And no jokes - unless the TM is CLEARLY joking with the student - and then only jokes along the same lines.

Folks have thanked me for making them feel welcome, even though the effort was not great since I try to hold the line on interference. It's the intent of trying to make newbies feel welcome that I think they really appreciate. Especially when you see one with that terror on their face and encourage them with a warm, "welcome to the sport." You can see the fear melt away. It's pretty cool actually.

And this sport can definitely use more players - so we not only gotta keep 'em alive, but happy too!

"The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment
of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

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Yes...agreed...and

We are talking about two different scenarios....1. Before the TM gets them and, 2. After.

And on top of that, be careful what you say to them before the TM gets them...what you are saying sets a tone for the entire experience...it may not be a tone that the TM wants or needs.
My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

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Yes...agreed...and

We are talking about two different scenarios....1. Before the TM gets them and, 2. After.

And on top of that, be careful what you say to them before the TM gets them...what you are saying sets a tone for the entire experience...it may not be a tone that the TM wants or needs.



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Agreed!

Why, just this summer, one of our photographers made a lengthy list of promises about what I was going to teach my student.
None of those promises were company policy.

And people wonder why he got fired at the end of the season??????

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i work as a packer at a tandem company and get on the loads if there is a free slot avalible. recently ive noticed an increasing number of passengers asking questions like "so how many people die doing this?" and "those parachutes dont work all the time do they?" etc. winding them selves up into a tiz and freaking out the other customers. what do you say to them to calm down?



A GREAT answer!
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Every instructor would probably answer the questions a little differently and it's up to the instructor jumping with the student to educate them and make them feel comfortable. It's not my job to interfere with that instructor/student relationship.



So in short; tell them that their instructor can answer questions pertaining to the skydive. You can be friendly about it, maybe show em how to pack by allowing them to watch, or maybe talk about the weather or how crappy of a season the Astros are having (which usually applies).
Mykel AFF-I10
Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

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