Fly better and reduce risks - a simple guide.
In our flight school we focus intensively on two essential questions: How can we make paragliding safer and how can we improve our training? These questions are the key to learning from experience and continuously improving.
We use two proven methods that are useful to us. The first method, the Swiss Cheese Model, helps to analyze the causes of accidents and incidents and to assess future risks. The second method, the 10/10 rule, enables quick and precise decisions to be made in emergency situations. The 10 to 10 rule is also helpful in relaxed situations in order to be able to act successfully.
You might be wondering what exactly my nice flight after work has to do with emergencies, medicine and risk management? In the best case, nothing, and in the worst case, everything. So please read on.
The Swiss Cheese Model
It visualizes possible sources of error in a chain of events that can lead to an accident. It shows how different factors can interact to create gaps for accidents. These gaps can be minimized by making conscious decisions.
Imagine a situation, such as a takeoff, as slices of cheese, with each slice representing an aspect that influences success: the takeoff site, the wind, the terrain, you as the pilot and your glider. These slices have holes that represent risks. Strong crosswinds, a restless cow on the takeoff site and uncertain takeoff skills are all possible risks. In this example, these would be three nice big holes through which an accident could slip.
In order to recognize the holes and reduce or close them, you have to learn to make conscious decisions. This cheese model can be a visual aid for you and can be applied to a wide variety of life situations, not just when flying. Whether in sports, in job interviews or the next time you take off in the mountains, it is always important to recognize the holes and make conscious decisions.
The 10 to 10 rule
It was developed by and for medical emergency teams to prevent five to twelve situations. It calls for taking 10 seconds before an urgent and time-critical action to plan the next 10 minutes. This rule helps to avoid mistakes under stress and is extremely valuable in a wide variety of situations. Anyone who cannot do this quickly falls victim to the "hurry up syndrome". This describes our human behavior when we think we are running out of time.
In an emergency, it is important to first consider which actions are crucial in the next few minutes before you act. In flight, even without an emergency, the 10/10 rule can be used to approach stall edges and plan flight routes strategically. For example, you can use the time when you are turning in the tube to locate the next stall edges and plan the flight path to them before you arrive at base. Then, while flying to the stall edge, work out a plan B in case plan A doesn't work. Etc.
Although these principles seem simple, regular and conscious practice is crucial to being able to apply them successfully in challenging situations. Structured thinking and anticipatory action are the key to greater safety and better decisions, whether flying or in everyday life. This way of thinking must be practiced in quiet moments.
We invite you to incorporate these principles into your daily life. Applying them will not only make your flights better, but safer too. So, go out there, look for the cheese slices, spot the holes and pause for ten seconds before your next action!