noggydog 0 #1 May 12, 2004 I know this has been asked before but any advice or links to good threads on this subject would be greatly appreciated! I know all the manuals forward and back and on my training jumps I picked instructors that would constantly throw different senarios at me and help me learn as much as I could before I was allowed to take students. So I ask of all of you what advice you have for student interactions and other techniques you find to be very beneficial that you've learned through experience. And if you don't feel like typing again, point me too previous threads and I will be just as happy. Thank you very much! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #2 May 12, 2004 -Never rely on a student to do what you tell them. Studens occasionaly do wierd, unpredictable shit. -Throw the Drogue -Greet your student and tell them a little about yourself and your skydiving history. (While still new at the tandem game you don't need to tell them how many tandems you've done, but the number of jumps total is cool. 500 sounds like alot to a WUFFO) -Pull -Ask your student why they are doing this. You may be surprised by some answeres and it starts a dialog. -Have a routine. Always hook up in the same order. Check handles in the same sequence. -If it's bad (weather, spot, student issues, gear issues) don't jump. The DZO may be pissed, but you and your student will be alive. -Thank your student for the jump afterward. Ask them if it's something they'd do again. Tell them how to become a skydiver. Thell them to tell their friends. -Be profesional. Look good. Be polite. Resist the temptation to be vulger when up jumpers are. -Have fun. Quit when you're not.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #3 May 12, 2004 QuoteResist the temptation to be vulger when up jumpers are. You're not talking about the TM picking his nose throughout the video, are you, SoCal? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #4 May 13, 2004 Always pick your nose. It calms the student by making it appear you're bored and this is "old hat". BTW, not only does my student look like they are having a good time, but I look dead sexy in that pic.....---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #5 May 13, 2004 QuoteBTW, not only does my student look like they are having a good time, but I look dead sexy in that pic..... that's cuz she's on anti-depressants. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #6 May 13, 2004 When you're outweighed- relax, gravity works, the big will end up on the bottom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #7 May 13, 2004 QuoteWhen you're outweighed- relax, gravity works, the big will end up on the bottom. On the other hand don't get complacent with the exits with those little 90 lb girls!---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flypunk 0 #8 May 13, 2004 make sure that you can flare that canopy without any help for you are bound to have students that will forget and/or freeze on you. ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #9 May 13, 2004 This thread had great Value for Even Coaches and Instructors of Different Training Methods. Thanks for the post!! =========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crutch 0 #10 May 13, 2004 Great response, but I would like to add two things. One, never, ever blame your student for anything that happened. The whole nature of the tandem experience is that the student doesn't have to do anything. No matter what they do, you cannot blame them for anything. I hate it when I hear a TM tell someone the reason they fell down on landing was their fault, why, suck it up and take the blame, they don't know anything about the sport remember! Second, exume confidence! There is nothing worse than a TM who sounds nervous in the plane, It does nothing for the student's confidence in you. The more confidence the student has in you the more relaxed they are, the easier the skydive becomes! Anyhow, my two cents!blue skies, art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peek 21 #11 May 13, 2004 TRAIN YOUR STUDENT Although the change to FAR 105 refers to the person up front as a "passenger", remember that they are your _student_, so train them as such. They are a student just like an AFF or S/L student, and deserve the best training you can give them for the amount of time you are allowed. And if you don't have time, make time. Teach them to be a _skydiver_, not a passenger. And they will act like it. You are a TI, not a TM. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LawnDart21 0 #12 May 13, 2004 From the moment you meet them, until you give them a parting high five when its over, you need to project total confidence in what you are doing. (Not to be confused with being egotistical). For that 30 minute period, from gearing up to landing, you are responsible for their lives, and I find projecting a confident attitude in what you are about to do with them is critical in easing thier mind about the jump. My intro goes like this: "Hi, My name is Tom, I will be your gravitational tour guide today, I only have three rules on my skydives. Rule #1, please do not grab my arms during our jump. Rule #2, Your arch is very important, lets practice it together, & Rule #3, now pay attention, this the most important rule of all, and that is of course to have fun, that is why your hear today, to have fun. You and I both have only one job to do on this jump. My job is to keep you safe, your job is to have fun, I plan on doing my job, so all that is left is for you to do yoru job and have a great time. Are you ready to do your job? (Yes). Great. Now even if you forget rules #1 and #2, I am still gonna bring you home, we'll just have more fun if you remember all three. (Insert big smile on my part)." Then if they still appear nervous, I point to my fiance in the hangar and say: "See that beautiful woman over there? I have a date with her tonight, and I plan on keeping the date, so I'm coming back, so if you stick with me, you'll come back too........you just can't come on the date with me when we get back, she's all mine." (Insert bigger smile) I find doing tandems to be the most rewarding jumps i make these days, its an odd combo of being totally humbled by the trust the students place in me, along with the inner belief that I can handle anything that is throw at me up there. If I didnt firmly believe in myself and that I can bring every student down safely, I'd stop doing tandems. Phew, I'm exhausted, gotta get back to work. Best of luck with doing tandems! You'll do great! Just be confident in your ability and stay humble, you'll change your student's lives up there! Blue skies! Tom -- My other ride is a RESERVE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #13 May 13, 2004 KISS Keep It Simple Skydiver. I tell my students they have three tasks on this skydive: crouch in door, become the big banana and lift their legs for landing. "No big deal if you forget, I will take the nostril grip to remind you to lean your head back. Hee! Hee!" "Leave my fingers free." We also use wiggling fingers as a "relax" signal. "Let's go have some fun!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #14 May 13, 2004 "stick your pelvis out like a no-armed man taking a leak at the urinal. You don't want to pee on your feet, do you?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #15 May 13, 2004 Have a routine and do it every time. It will help eliminate any additional variables. Remember you cant trust what any of the passengers will do and taking other variables out of the equation with a patent routine for how you do things will help have you ready to react and do the right thing when something comes up Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noggydog 0 #16 May 13, 2004 Thanks everyone for the great advice, I want to do well at this so I'm trying to prepare myself with as much knowledge as I can. A couple of you said to show confidence, I hope with this tips that I will help students to be more relaxed and get the most out of the experienced I can. My first tandem was life changing, I hope to help others gain something from having a great experience. THANKS AGAIN! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #17 May 14, 2004 Train to have leverage in your favor. Train students to do a small, relaxed boxman with their arms and legs only half extended. Meanwhile the instructor is stretching his arms and legs as far out as they can possibly go, in an exaggerated, spread eagle, X-man. Get your hands out as far as they will go and point your toes. I have even strained a hip muscle trying to get extra leverage on an unstable student. If the student does not arch, you will have to arch enough for both. This is the reverse of traditional progression. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
