(GKgloc) wrote:

Many good posts on how to select your parachute.
Attach your rig snugly
Also, make sure the harness, when snug, will not slide up or down on your body.
practice egressing from your cockpit, many, many times
Practice pulling your ripcord WITH BOTH HANDS, in case one is injured

Also, never give a packed parachute to a rigger. Use the end of your repack
cycle to practice your "clear & pull", and actually pull the ripcord. Make
sure you do this over a clean, dry surface, not the oily floor of a hangar.
Some rigs have small "closing loops" which come free when the ripcord is
pulled. Make sure you gather up all the small parts and deliver them to your
rigger. Also, don't let anyone stand behind your rig when you pull the
ripcord. Some spring loaded pilot chutes launch with considerable force.

I'd also suggest that after you practice your clear and
pull, you bag the chute and lines in something clean (I
don't like plastic much so I use a white shopping bag with
handles.) I try to keep the lines separate from all the
Velcro to prevent them from being torn up by bagging them
and closing the Velcro up. It's also a good time to look it
over and get familiar with the parts you've never seen
before.

Todd Pattist
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
___
Make a commitment to learn something from every flight.
Share what you learn.