How To Survive if Your Parachute Fails to Open

Skydiving is one of the most exciting things to do.The fear of their parachute malfunctioning is one of the first fears people have about skydiving.Even if your main parachute fails, you can use a reserve parachute to land on your feet.There are even tactics you can use to improve your chances of surviving a freefall.

Step 1: Get in the middle of the road.

If your main parachute is malfunctioning or has become tangled, it's important that you break away from it before you deploy your reserve.To get into the position, spread your legs and keep your head up.If you are in the wrong position, you could end up in your main chute.To fully deploy your reserve, you must break away at a minimum of 1,600 feet.

Step 2: Look and reach for the handle.

Take the time to look at the lever.You should talk to your skydiving instructor before you jump if you find the release on the right-hand side.Pull the handle with both hands.The handle of the parachute pack will look like a cloth loop.

Step 3: While looking at your reserve handle, pull the breakaway handle.

Pull the handle and throw it away.You should keep an eye on the reserve handle.You are more likely to become nervous or confused when you fall in a high-stress situation.Stay focused on the thing you have to do next.Your main parachute will be released by the handle if your reserve becomes entangled.If your main parachute did not deploy, you don't have to pull the handle.Pull your reserve ripcord.

Step 4: The reserve ripcord should be pulled.

Pull the reserve ripcord with both hands.The reserve ripcord can be found on the left side.If you detach from your main parachute, the reserve static line lanyard should deploy your secondary shoot, but should not be relied on in the case of a malfunction.The reserve is on the other side of your handle and can be either a red cloth loop or metal one.

Step 5: Get into the landing position by using your steering cables.

Make sure that your reserve has successfully deployed and is ready to land.Execution is important because you will have less time to prepare for your landing.If you want to assume the landing position, you need to point your feet to the ground with your heels up.The steering cables should be used to guide you.You can find a suitable place to land.Power lines are dangerous and should be avoided.Pull the left cable if you want to move left.Pull the cable to move to the right.

Step 6: Don't panic.

It's natural to prepare for death if your main parachute fails to open or your reserve chute doesn't work.You have to keep your wits about you so that you can plan how and where you fall to increase your chance of survival.In order to increase your chances of survival, you'll have to take each incremental step.As you're falling, regulate your breathing and clear your mind.Take a deep breath through your nose and out of your mouth.

Step 7: Place your body in an X.

If you want to reduce your speed, try to get as flat as possible.If you want to achieve the most drag in your situation, you should raise your arms above your head and face the ground.You should back up and Arch your head.

Step 8: You should aim for marshy, wooded, or snowy areas.

Tree branches or snow can help absorb your impact and slow your descent.Concrete, buildings, or flat fields are hard to avoid.The decline can help absorb some of the impact if you fall.If you want to turn left or right, tilt your elbow to the right.To move backwards, bend your knees and push your arms forward.Put your arms to your sides to move forward.

Step 9: Get into the landing stance of the skydiver.

You want to land on your feet when you approach the ground.Put your feet together and point them towards the ground.Prepare for an intense impact by flexing your knees and hips.

Step 10: If you must land in the water, place your hands on your sides.

If you are freefalling over a body of water and can't aim towards a marshy or wooded area, you need to tighten your body and fall feet first.You should fall straight with your hands on your sides.

Step 11: You can land on your feet.

In the skydiver's landing stance, make contact with the ground with your feet pointed towards it.Some of the impact from the fall can be absorbed by your legs if you land on them.If you land on your feet, you can prevent other vital organs from being damaged.

Step 12: Roll if you can.

Life-threatening injuries can be caused by hitting your head or spine.If you hit the ground with your feet and roll forward as if you were doing a somersault, you can absorb some of the impact.You can protect your head by covering it with your hands and arms.Tuck in your chin to help protect the back of your head.