Are you more/less comfortable with certain instructors?

[riggerpaul 1]

The drill instructor approach to skydiving instruction creates an artificially stressful situation that might give a clue to the student's expected reaction to an actual emergency where both the stress and danger will be very real.

Without some sort of stress simulation, how does a person get a good idea about how they will handle the real thing when it presents itself?

I don't mean to say that skydiving instruction must be brutal. But without some induced stress, won't we be missing an opportunity to get an important insight?

After all, it is far better to get this insight while safe on the ground, isn't it?

[tmccann 1]

I'm coming down to the last few dives of the program (assuming I don't mess anything up), and have had the chance to work with a good number of instructors and coaches so far. So, I'm right in the saddle of the thing, and here's what I've found for myself:

Yes, and for me it isn't high pressure / low pressure, or reacting differently to a particular person. Some teaching methods just seem to put me a bit more at ease in the air. To elaborate, I have the kind of brain that likes to understand the mechanics of a situation - I like to understand how the gear works, think through all the different forces being applied to my body during freefall, plan through my intended body position/movement during the dirt-dive, etc. I don't think it's an anxiety thing, so much as getting the info lodged in my head right so I don't have to think about it in order to do it, so I do everything in a more relaxed manner in the air.

So for me, it's been less about one instructor or another, but more about how each approached that particular dive. All my instructors have had all the different approaches in their bag of tricks, so it's been about their judgement call on what they thought would work best with me that day, on that dive (and to a small extent what the call time allowed). Some worked better than others, and they adjusted.

For example, for my hop 'n' pop (dive #22), which I had been quite irrationally freaked out about, my coach threw me a curve-ball in the mock-up right before getting on the plane, and that did the trick to separate my brain from the situation, and let me just do what I was supposed to do without over-thinking.

I hope that helps!

Tim

[sky_boots 0]

I am an over thinker (am a scientist) yes.. the dreaded type of skydiving student. I know that all too well... tried changing the way I think.. it's not happening over night. I have done everything in my power to do exactly what I am told to do to change..and yet my brain keeps getting in the way.. And I have overcome a lot of shyness and fear,... but not enough..

on the bright side...

The little accomplishments in skydiving may mean more to me than to someone that it comes easy to. idk that for a fact.. but I know they are huge for me.

Success comes in "cans" after a skydive..

[sky_boots 0]

I will add that my instructors had a lot of patience with me and never hung me out to dry. They were right there with me and I will never forget it! Best experiences of my life. Some may have been different in the way they teach but in the end... I learned a lot about myself.. :) No matter who it was.. they always had my back. Skydivers are a different breed and the best people I ever want to meet.. they also don't pull any punches.. I am really proud of all the jumps I did get to do :) They say I am a "skydiver" lol and actually I can see it in some things.. I am way more assertive now than I ever was. I worked a lot though trying to do exactly what I was told. Mentally and physically. It was the best thing I ever did and I would say one of the hardest.

Success comes in "cans" after a skydive..

[Kerridwen 0]

Teaching style has a huge impact and the instructor has to decide if they are teaching for you or for themselves. If they are teaching for themselves it doesn't matter how it impacts the student (well maybe if they want to keep their job). If they are teaching to share their knowledge and foster the curiosity and growth of their students then their teaching style absolutely matters regardless of what they are teaching.

[Tatetatetate 0]

I'd heartily agree.

I prefer the younger much less military instructors.

Though there is a blurred line! In that some instructors are ex military and play drill sergent, while there are some non exmilitary who play drill sergent!

On my RAPS a disliked instructor was one who would constantly interupt you and say you're dead....