A perfect training day deserves a perfect closeout. But before you start pondering how in the universe it is possible that no-one on the team has a bottle opener, remember the practical matters and make sure you have a plan to finish up the important parts.
It is normal for a team to relax and collapse a bit after the jumping is done. A chilled out debrief with a chilled beverage can be a super way to end your day. But like the rest of your day, we should put a little bit of mind towards efficiency. This keeps the length of training day shorter, frees up those who need more rest, and saves a little mental energy for the important debriefing notes.
The team should evaluate whether they stayed on target and to what degree the goals were achieved
##When to stop
Your team should have a rough idea of when your team will end the day. This reduces the decision-making towards the end of your jumping, when you most need to focus on skydiving. You can always adjust it on the fly, but it might keep you from consistently under or over doing your training day.
The most obvious way to set the length of a training day is by jump numbers, but as discussed in the section on fatigue, this might not be the wisest plan. Weather holds and unexpected delays might drag your 8 jump plan on for 12 hours. A better option would be to use a combination of jump numbers and length of day. If things start to drag on for any reason the team can make an honest evaluation of their energy levels and the likely productivity level of continuing past the usual cut-off time.
##Logistics
When jumping is done for the day, there is usually a list of practical items the team needs to take care of including closing out with manifest, paying packers, and putting gear away. Some teams choose to handle these items immediately, some wait until the debriefing and close out are done. Either will work if there is no danger of manifest closing while you are watching videos. The most important thing is that the group chooses an order together so everyone knows and understand the plan.
Be mindful that on the last day of a camp the logistics take a little longer. There are bills to settle, goals to set, calendars to sync, feedback to be shared, and conversations to be had. Budget a little extra time for this phase so no one is stressing about their flight.
##Debriefing
Depending on the style of jumping you did, there may be some un-debriefed skydives to take care of, in addition to the last jump. The group should work through the jumps with their normal process. In addition, this is an excellent time to update any records for the team (jump numbers, track exits, record what jumps were actually preformed), and distribute copies of the video if required.
After the jumps are debriefed, this is the time to review the camp and individual goals that were set in the morning. The team should evaluate whether they stayed on target and to what degree the goals were achieved. This is also the natural time to discuss what the next goals might be, and what strategy would best be used to accomplish them.
If you are training the next day and the team isn’t completely zombified, consider quickly walking the next day’s skydives. It is an ideal time to look at engineering options and start getting the next day’s work in your heads.
##Rest
I’ve worked with many teams who have goals that strongly revolve around evening social activities. This works out great if all members share the same priorities. These types of teams usually enjoy great success in having fun together while still learning and improving their skydiving skills.
What you choose to do in your down time has an enormous effect on how much energy you have to focus on your jumps
Conversely other teams are more performance oriented. For these teams the time between stopping jumping and starting again the next morning needs to be considered as part of the training day. When we talk about fatigue management, what you choose to do in your down time has an enormous effect on how much energy you have to focus on your jumps.
That doesn’t mean solitary confinement for 14 hours is the ideal environment. Make wise choices in regards to drinking, sleeping, and stressful social situations. Check in at the office if you want, but not if it is going to keep you up on phone calls all night or stressing over not being at work. Working out is great, but not to the point you experience muscle fatigue all day. The bottom line is to agree on your priorities with your team and choose down time activities that suit your goals.
##End of Day Key Points
- Have a plan for when to stop, to avoid the same conversations near the end of every day
- Relax! …but be somewhat efficient in debrief and closeout
- Debriefing daily goals is important and not optional
- If performance is a priority, choose evening activities that leave you rested
Training Day, Part 1, Beginning
Download checklists here, from SDC Rhythm XP’s website, which has a super section on Resources
