As a senior skydiving instructor, I see it as our collective responsibility within the skydiving community to address the power dynamics at play in our relationships with students. Understanding and managing these dynamics are key to fostering an environment of trust, respect, and ethical conduct. Regardless of the type of instructor you are: Examiner, AFF, Tandem, etc we all have influence over our students. They entrust their well-being into our experienced hands and that has a great influence on them. With great power comes great responsibility….
Navigating Power Imbalances
The inherent power imbalance in the instructor-student relationship is something we must actively recognize and manage. Our role places us in a position of authority, which can heavily influence our students, especially given the high-risk nature of skydiving.
- Conscious Recognition of Our Influence: We must first acknowledge the significant influence we hold. This influence isn’t just a byproduct of our expertise but also stems from the trust students place in us. Recognizing this can help us maintain a professional and ethical approach.
- Preventing Misuse of Our Position: It’s imperative that we never exploit our position. This means avoiding any form of emotional, financial, or other exploitation. Our relationships with students should always center on their learning and safety, not our personal gain.
- Empowering Our Students: Addressing the power imbalance involves empowering students. They should feel free to express concerns, ask questions, and set their boundaries. Creating a learning environment where students feel heard and respected is crucial.
- Implementing Accountability Measures: Our schools and centers should have systems for monitoring instructor-student dynamics. This includes feedback mechanisms, anonymous reporting options, and clear conduct guidelines to ensure checks and balances are in place.
Upholding the Principle of Consent
In the instructor-student relationship, consent is not just a formality but a cornerstone of ethical interaction.
- Ensuring Informed Consent: Consent in our context is comprehensive. Students should be fully aware of what training involves, including its risks. They must know that their consent is ongoing and can be retracted at any point. “May I check your chest strap?” is a simple question we have to ask before we grab our students chest strap and tug on it.
- Respecting Personal Boundaries: We must respect students’ personal and physical boundaries. If a student is uncomfortable with any training aspect, we need to adapt our approach to accommodate their comfort levels. We must also ensure that the training is complete and thorough so finding the right balance for each student is key to creating a training program that can teach and retain students.
- Avoiding Any Form of Coercion: Given the imbalance of power, what might seem like persuasion on our part could feel like coercion to a student. It’s vital to be mindful of how we communicate and ensure that all decisions are made freely by our students. Finding that balance between pushing a student to improve and punishing them past their skill set into a dangerous place is a vital skill for any instructor.
- Facilitating Open Conversations: Creating a space where students can comfortably discuss consent and boundaries is essential. This should be part of our initial briefings and an ongoing dialogue throughout their training. Also among our instructors to ensure we are supporting each other and addressing issues before they become problems.
Conclusion:
In summary, as skydiving instructors, we have a duty to conscientiously navigate the power dynamics inherent in our relationships with students. By recognizing and addressing these imbalances, and prioritizing informed consent and respect for boundaries, we contribute to a skydiving community that is not only thrilling and adventurous but also safe, respectful, and ethically sound.
Please see more of our blogs at https://dzstaff.net Feel free to leave comments and ask questions along the way. You may always reach us at admin@dzstaff.net
Instructors and Dropzones can sign up for FREE at our the fastest growing global worldwide skydiving platform at https://dzstaff.com
Looking for an examiner to grow your own instructor group or for a class to become an instructor? The professionals at Xcelskydiving > Home can meet all your needs!