Hard Openings

https://www.uspa.org/about-uspa/uspa-news/hard-openings-and-how-to-avoid-them

The major factors in our parachute opening quality are:

• Airspeed - at pull time

  • Slow down before opening: both vertical and horizontal speed after your track

  • If you feel stable you want to float before opening.

• Packing

  • Slider

  • Line Stow - double stow your rubber bands and keep proper tension on the lines

• Gear Maintenance

  • Line quality- make sure you track the number of jumps on your canopy and your re-lines.

  • Pilot Chute - condition and size

  • Parachute fit properly to the dbag

  • Riser covers - need to be release properly on opening

Hard Openings can lead to:

• Severe physical damage to your body

• and your parachute - broken lines, tear in fabric...

Body Position: square and straight

We suggest not to look up at your parachute straight away on your opening, in case you have a hard opening, the impact can damage your neck.

Of -course everything come with experience.

Bonus tip - always warm-up your neck before your jumps!