If you were to experience a pilot-chute-in-tow malfunction, how would you respond? Now ask yourself, are you confident that your response is correct?

A pilot-chute-in-tow malfunction is probably one of the trickiest malfunctions you will ever face, so the best solution is to take steps to ensure you never have to deal with one. But you still need to be ready to act if it happens. Time is critical. You are most likely just below deployment altitude and still descending at 120 mph towing the pilot chute. You need to know which method you will use and take immediate action!

Skydiver’s Information Manual Section 5-1 lists two different processes for dealing with this malfunction:

• Pull the reserve immediately. A pilot-chute-in-tow malfunction is associated with a high descent rate and requires immediate action. The chance of a main-reserve entanglement is slim, and valuable time and altitude are lost by initiating a cutaway prior to deploying the reserve. Be prepared to cut away if the main comes out once the deployed reserve loosens the container.
• Cut away, then immediately deploy the reserve. Because there is a chance the main parachute could deploy during or as a result of the reserve activation, a cutaway might be the best response in some situations.

Check with the manufacturer of your container to help you make sure you have chosen the correct procedure. Depending on the manufacturer, a specific action may be required, while with others, it may be a case of either-or for the two methods. It is critical that you know the correct response for this emergency based on all the available data.

A pilot-chute-in-tow malfunction can be scary. Pack carefully and maintain your gear to avoid this malfunction. But make sure you know the correct response, practice your emergency procedures frequently, and be ready for it if that day ever comes.