“What you’ve always wanted to know but didn’t want to ask”

Part 2: Packing and Use/Flying

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I once had a jumper come to me after their first cutaway, concerned about possible damage to their reserve canopy.  Curious, I asked him to show me the "damage". The damage that I was shown was a hole in the slider. Mind you, this "hole" was perfectly square and finished around the edges with support tape and had been placed there on purpose.  I was confused about how this individual didn't know that this particular reserve slider had a "hole" in it. Had they never seen their reserve before they had a cutaway? The answer was an obvious "No". Certain manufacturers have "holes" in their reserve sliders to aid in the fast deployment of the canopy.  Other manufacturers don't utilize the same technology. Regardless, you shouldn't have to be unnerved or alarmed if you see a "hole" in your reserve slider the first time you have to use it. I encourage my jumpers to hang out during their repack and ask questions. I want them to know their gear inside and out. Gear fear is real and I want to help alleviate it the best I can.

I’m not sure whether this next suggestion will be well received by some riggers out there but, in my opinion, it’s important.  I always suggest, if it can be accommodated, be present at your reserve repack. When one of my jumpers has the time at their repack, I encourage them to actually pull their handles as if they would in an emergency situation.  I want them to feel the tension of the Velcro when they cutaway. This is a great time to learn about your gear and gain a better understanding how all the components work first hand. How many jumpers have options on their rigs, i.e a MARD, AAD, RSL, and don’t truly understand how they work.  I think that too often jumpers leave student status and are thrown to the proverbial wolves when it comes to gear. They get so far into their jumping lives, start racking up jump numbers, and forget that there are no stupid questions when it comes to their life saving gear; they just don’t want to ask.  

  What color is my reserve?  Countless times I've been asked by jumpers, mid repack cycle, "What color is my reserve"?  Well, to be honest, most of the time I don't remember off-hand. Sometimes it’s an easy answer because certain manufacturers only use certain colors for their reserves, others don’t.  Sometimes I can look back in my logbook and find it, others I can't. The most frequent colors I've seen to date are Orange, white, light blue, yellow, red. I have rigger friends who've seen black reserves (tandems) as well as neon multi-colored reserves.

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Here are some tips I share with my students that I found extremely valuable that MY instructors shared with me. 

1. Your reserve has toggles and steers/flares exactly like your main canopy.  Slight differences in characteristics may vary from canopy to canopy but operationally, they fly the same. 
2. The free bag (reserve D-Bag) and pilot chute are NOT attached to your reserve and if you see it floating away, it’s perfectly normal.
3. The reserve pilot chute spring, when released, creates drag and therefor “pulls” the reserve from the reserve tray.  It DOES NOT push the reserve canopy out of the container. (true concern of an unknowing jumper)
4. Your reserve slider may have a hole in it (if your specific manufacturer utilizes this technology), ask before you have a reserve ride if you’re not sure. 
5. When deciding to purchase a used/ previously owned reserve, make sure it comes with ALL reserve data cards.  Reserve data cards travel with the reserve and do not stay with the container if the components are being sold separately.  The data card, hopefully documents an accurate history for the canopy. Sometimes older reserves have multiple cards. Make sure that all supporting documentation is provided with the canopy at the time of sale/inspection.  Again, another good reason to utilize a rigger/rigging loft to help with a pre-owned gear purchase.

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Knowledge is power. Knowing about your gear and how it works prior to use is huge.  It instills confidence. If you are a rigger and you’re reading this, encourage not only your junior jumpers but your senior peeps as well, to come and be an active participant in their repacks.  If you’re an instructor and reading this, encourage your riggers to participate in the gear section of the First Jump Course to educate your students with the proper way to use their gear safely. If you are jumpers reading this, talk to your riggers and ask questions.  Many questions! The only way to truly be comfortable with your gear is to know how it works.

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Thank you Shauna for providing some good advice.

Blue Skies!!!!

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*It should be noted that at the time that this article was written, these are the manufacturers that currently produce reserves for purchase in the United States.  There are manufacturers that produce canopies outside the US and may not meet the requirements of US TSO standards, therefore not allowing them to be packed/utilized in systems in the US.  Always confirm with a rigger/manufacturer if there’s a regulation question.