Skydiving is one of the most thrilling and exhilarating extreme sports, offering a rush of adrenaline and an unparalleled view of the world below. But with the excitement comes a significant amount of risk.
While skydiving is a relatively safe sport due to advanced equipment and rigorous safety protocols, parachute failure, though extremely rare, is a concern every skydiver must consider. So, what happens if your parachute fails during a jump? In this article, we will break down the types of parachute malfunctions, the steps you should take if a failure occurs, and the safety measures in place to minimize the risk of malfunction.
Understanding Parachute Failure
Before delving into what to do in the event of a parachute failure, it’s important to understand what parachute malfunctions are and how rare they truly are. Modern skydiving equipment, which includes a main parachute and a reserve parachute, is designed to be as reliable as possible. However, just like any piece of equipment, malfunctions can occur.
Malfunctions can happen for a variety of reasons, including equipment failure, human error, or unforeseen environmental factors. The good news is that the chances of a parachute malfunctioning are very low, with industry reports suggesting that the malfunction rate is less than 1 in 1,000 jumps. Skydivers also undergo rigorous training to handle these situations, ensuring they are prepared if something goes wrong.
When a parachute does fail, the two primary types of malfunctions are:
A total malfunction: This occurs when the main parachute fails to open at all or opens improperly.
A partial malfunction: This happens when the main parachute opens, but there is a significant problem, such as a line twist, a partial deployment, or a stuck canopy.
While both situations sound alarming, there are specific procedures that skydivers follow to ensure their safety.
What Happens If Your Parachute Fails?
Types of Parachute Malfunctions
There are several types of malfunctions that could occur, each requiring different responses. Here’s a closer look at each:
Total Malfunction
A total malfunction is the most serious type of parachute failure, where the main parachute either fails to deploy or deploys in an unusable condition. This might occur if the deployment system fails, the parachute becomes tangled, or the canopy does not open at all.
What it feels like: When this happens, the skydiver will feel a sudden loss of control, and there will be no parachute above them to slow the descent. This can be terrifying for an inexperienced jumper, but it’s important to stay calm.
Partial Malfunction
A partial malfunction is when the parachute partially deploys but still leaves the skydiver with an issue that must be addressed. This can include situations like line twists (where the suspension lines become twisted), a partially inflated canopy, or a malfunctioning harness.
What it feels like: A partial malfunction will often lead to a decrease in control or a slower descent. However, the skydiver still has a functioning parachute, and with the right actions, they can correct the issue.
Cutaway Malfunction
A cutaway malfunction refers to when a skydiver pulls the cutaway handle to detach the malfunctioning main parachute and deploy the reserve parachute. This is the recommended response to a malfunction when the main parachute cannot be properly fixed in the air.
What it feels like: This action typically happens quickly and involves a sudden release of the main canopy, followed by the deployment of the reserve. Skydivers are trained to handle this action smoothly.
What to Do If Your Parachute Fails
When a parachute fails during a jump, it’s critical for the skydiver to stay calm, follow the proper emergency procedures, and act quickly.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if your parachute fails:
1. Assess the Situation
The first thing you need to do if you suspect your parachute has failed is to assess the situation. If the main parachute has not opened or is malfunctioning, you need to identify whether it is a total or partial malfunction. If your parachute is opening but not functioning correctly, such as experiencing line twists or an unstable deployment, you may have time to correct the malfunction.
In Case of a Total Malfunction:
If your main parachute has not deployed or opened incorrectly, this is a serious emergency. You need to activate your reserve immediately.
In Case of a Partial Malfunction:
If you experience a partial malfunction, assess whether it can be corrected in the air. If not, prepare to cut away the main parachute and deploy the reserve.
2. Pull the Cutaway Handle (If Necessary)
If the parachute is beyond repair, you’ll need to cut away the malfunctioning main parachute. This is done by pulling the cutaway handle, which releases the main parachute from the harness, allowing you to deploy the reserve parachute.
Skydivers are trained to perform this action quickly and smoothly. Practicing this maneuver during training allows skydivers to act quickly in emergency situations, potentially saving their life.
3. Deploy the Reserve Parachute
After cutting away the malfunctioning main parachute, the next step is to deploy the reserve parachute. Skydivers must pull the reserve ripcord to initiate the deployment of the reserve canopy. Most skydivers wear automatic activation devices (AADs), which deploy the reserve parachute if the skydiver is unable to pull the cord manually due to unconsciousness or other factors.
The reserve parachute is smaller than the main parachute, but it is designed for quick deployment and to slow your fall enough to allow for a safe landing.
4. Ensure Proper Function of the Reserve Parachute
Once the reserve parachute has deployed, you must check that it is functioning properly. This means confirming that the parachute has fully inflated and that there are no issues such as line twists or other malfunctions.
If everything looks good, you can relax and prepare for a safe landing.
If there are still issues with the reserve parachute, skydivers are trained to follow emergency procedures, such as cutting away the reserve and deploying a second reserve in some rare cases.
The Role of Skydiving Instructors and Equipment
Skydiving instructors play a crucial role in minimizing the risk of a parachute malfunction. Before making a jump, instructors thoroughly inspect the equipment to ensure it is functioning properly. Skydivers are also equipped with automatic activation devices (AADs) that automatically deploy the reserve parachute if the skydiver is unable to do so manually.
Moreover, modern parachutes are designed with multiple safety features. Parachute systems are thoroughly tested for reliability, and equipment is regularly maintained to prevent failure. The reserve parachute is independently packed and inspected by certified riggers to ensure its readiness in case of emergency.
Skydivers are also required to undergo extensive training before they are allowed to jump on their own. This training includes emergency procedures and handling parachute malfunctions. With these procedures in place, the chances of a successful recovery from a malfunction are very high.
Statistics on Parachute Malfunctions
Despite the occasional risks, skydiving is a remarkably safe activity.
According to the United States Parachute Association (USPA), the rate of fatal accidents in skydiving is approximately 0.003 per 1,000 jumps.
The vast majority of parachute malfunctions are manageable and can be corrected, and fatalities are extremely rare.
The safety measures in place, including the use of two parachutes (main and reserve), automatic activation devices (AADs), and extensive training, all contribute to the high safety standards in modern skydiving.
Conclusion
While the idea of parachute failure during a skydive can be intimidating, it is important to remember that the chances of this happening are very low. Skydiving equipment is designed with multiple layers of safety to ensure the best possible outcome in the rare event of a malfunction.
Skydivers undergo rigorous training to handle malfunctions, and emergency procedures, such as cutting away the main parachute and deploying the reserve, are taught in detail to ensure a skydiver’s safety.
Additionally, safety devices like AADs are integrated into modern skydiving equipment to further reduce the risk of an accident.