Dislodged Reserve Ripcord Handle

Posted on 03. Feb, 2011 by Webmaster Tag: Keep an Eye Out, February 2011

A jumper on a 4-way freefly skydive inadvertently dislodged this jumper’s reserve handle while reaching for a grip on exit. Jumpers should use caution when taking grips to help prevent this scenario.

If you notice that your reserve handle has been dislodged during a skydive, you should track toward clear airspace, wave off and deploy your main canopy immediately, taking care to not pull on the handle or place any additional tension on the reserve ripcord during the deployment sequence. You should be prepared to deal with two canopies out in case the reserve accidentally deploys. However, the weight of the reserve handle alone should not be enough to pull the reserve ripcord pin.

If you are on a skydive and notice that another jumper has a floating handle, make eye contact with that jumper, point to the handle on your own container and then to the other jumper’s handle in an effort to make him understand the situation. Provide the jumper with plenty of space in case the reserve parachute deploys.

keepaneyeout20111Photo by Stephen Wilson

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Jason Yergin
Sat, 05/05/2012 - 13:20

Good to know!

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