When you need to use your reserve parachute, you need it to be as effective as possible, as quickly as possible!
But the parachute itself is just one link in a chain that must be implemented to achieve the final result: we call it the deployment chain. We're going to try and describe all the elements in this chain, their function and their interactions with each other, in order to understand the overall operation a little better. Each of these elements can exist in different models. And although they may be perfectly functional individually, they may turn out to be the "weak link" in the deployment chain, causing the system to malfunction. It is therefore essential to check the compatibility of each element with the other links in the chain.

There are 2 main phases: FOLDING / ASSEMBLY
We're going to try to decipher the different phases of packaging, and we'll see each time the points to watch out for and pay attention to.

FOLDING

Folding method

At first glance, folding may seem the most complex element to assimilate, but in the end it's probably the easiest! All you have to do is follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter, and follow the folding steps described in the manual supplied. If you don't feel up to doing it yourself, don't hesitate to entrust the task to a professional workshop, which can do it for you for a fee. Sometimes you just have to put your mind at rest!
Why is it so important to scrupulously follow the manufacturer's packing instructions?
In fact, it has to do with certification and the resulting structural strength test: the parachute (ballasted to the corresponding maximum weight) is released into the air. When it reaches 40m/s, a system triggers the opening and allows the canopy to deploy in a given time (x seconds) without exceeding 11G. To pass the test, the parachute must be structurally sound, with no tears or breaks in the fabric, lines or seams. Parachutes must therefore be designed to open quickly enough, but also to withstand the forces associated with opening. With the constant quest for lighter materials, and the use of lightweight materials as well, designers are obliged to rack their brains and come up with tricks to mitigate the forces generated on the structure during opening. Folding methods with retarders, recommended by manufacturers, enable a more gradual opening and thus better cushioning of forces. The "retarders" enable the rescue to open more gradually, better absorbing forces during opening. In some cases, these retarders are also recommended to ensure greater stability during opening and once the parachute is deployed. Even if we bear in mind that the tests are quite severe with the material and that they offer us a significant margin of safety, it's preferable not to play the sorcerer's apprentice with the packing of our reserve parachutes.

Critical points to watch out for:
- Check the general condition of the canvas and lines: tears, signs of wear, moisture/mildew, ...
- Strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations in the folding manual.
- Be careful not to forget any packing accessories: cords, clips, weights, links, etc.
- Only pack a rescue parachute when it is perfectly dry and free of all traces of moisture.

Pod

The pod is a simple fabric envelope that keeps the parachute folded and ready for deployment. It also holds the emergency handle adapted to the container, which is used for extraction and launch. Despite its apparent simplicity of design, it is adapted in shape and size to the parachute it holds and plays a key role in the deployment characteristics that have been tested for opening. The certification is therefore valid for an inseparable "parachute-pod" combination. Strictly speaking, a parachute that is not used with its original pod (except in special cases approved by the manufacturer) loses its strict certification. It is up to the parachute manufacturer to specify the technical characteristics (type, volume) for a third-party pod that will allow the reserve parachute to be used safely and retain its certification.
We will see later that in some cases, the handle and the pod are part of the same assembly and are inseparable.
The closure of the pod is described in the corresponding manual and is generally done using an elastic band (attached to the pod) that wraps around a loop of the suspension lines. When pulled, the elastic band is released, allowing the pod to open and the parachute to deploy. It must not be too "tight" to allow opening even if the pull is not significant (under the simple effect of the weight of the parachute), but also not too "loose" to prevent simple movements in the harness opening the pod in the container. In the event of extraction, you would end up with an empty pod at the end of the handle!

Critical points to watch out for:
- Make sure the pod is compatible with the reserve parachute.
- Check the condition of the pod: no marked wear or tears.
- Make sure the pod is completely dry before inserting a reserve parachute.
- Check the condition of the closing elastic(s).
- Check the condition of the rescue handle connection loops.

NOTE:

It is recommended to regularly check that the pod is closed properly, and to aerate and pack the parachute at least once a year, and even better every 6 months. However, recent observations have shown that after 3 months of packing, parachute opening speed deteriorates significantly. The ideal recommendation is therefore to ventilate and repack your reserve parachute every 3 months, to maintain the best opening speed characteristics.

Now that your rescue is perfectly folded in its pod, let's get on with the festivities!

ASSEMBLY

Emergency lifts

Rescue lifters are used to connect the parachute to the anchor points on the harness. There are two different types, depending on the rescue system used:
– V-shaped lifters, which connect the two anchor points to the single connection point on the rescue system. This is the case for hemispherical parachutes and some square (or other shapes) parachutes that cannot be steered. Variation: it is possible to use single-strand emergency risers, which can be grouped together at the emergency parachute's connection point.
– Those known as "H-shaped," which are used on steerable (or adjustable) reserves and are generally integrated into the parachute structure. Care must be taken with the left and right sides during assembly.

An important thing to check when fitting risers is their length. Check that the combined length of the risers and the reserve (with its lines) is less than the length of the line cone. As explained in "Reflections on ... rescue parachutes", it's important that the leading edge of the rescue is not at the same level as the central part of the canopy, to avoid it being hit when opening, or ending up in its depression with the risk of having difficulty inflating properly. Of course, this depends on the type of wing and the rescue (length of the respective suspension cones), but to simplify, we recommend using rescue risers of around 120-130 cm.

Critical points to watch out for:
- Check general condition of risers: cleanliness, wear, abrasion, condition of seams, connection loops.
- Check that the risers are the right length for the parachute and glider (see drawing). A length of 120-130 cm is generally appropriate.

Connectors

If the components (harness ) of the emergency device are independent, you will have two connections to make: " harness " and "risers–parachute." The more links a chain has, the greater the risk that one of the links will fail. It is therefore necessary to limit the number of connectors used to make these connections as much as possible. Very often, it is possible to make a lark's head knot connection. There are still many preconceptions about this type of connection, but if it is done correctly, there is no safety issue. This is how the lines of your paraglider are connected to each other, and sometimes even the lines to the risers (light mountain wings).

It is important to limit twisting of the straps to keep them as flat as possible, and to tighten the knot very firmly to prevent any loosening. Nevertheless, regular visual inspection is essential to detect any problems.

If you must nevertheless use a third-party connector, you will need to choose one that complies with the following points:

- Shape:
To ensure maximum strength, the connector must be able to work in its main axis. This means that it must not be able to move sideways when being handled, and especially when being loaded. The easiest way to do this is to use a connector that's adapted to the various elements it's going to have to connect. Strap widths and connector base widths should be as close as possible.

It may also be useful to lock the position of the straps using an O-ring, for example(Video).

- Stability / Reliability:
Every connector is at its best when correctly locked. Bear in mind, however, that these connectors are often hidden from view, and it's not always easy to check that they are always correctly locked. So it's best to choose connectors whose locking can be guaranteed over time, or to find a way of guaranteeing it. Avoid adhesives that can leave traces of glue and solvents, which are not recommended for the life of textile components (straps, halyards, etc.). Tightening tricks, such as using a piece of inner tube, are preferable. Nevertheless, regular visual inspection is essential to detect any problems.
As always, there is no miracle solution, and you'll need to find the one best suited to your equipment.

Critical points to watch out for:
- Check breaking load.
- Check general condition of connector:
- If metal: wear, traces of corrosion, fluid closure.
- If textile: damaged protective sheath, cut marks, burn marks.
- If lark's head connection, check that it is correctly made (strap flat, tight knot).
- If originally sewn, check condition of straps and seams.
- Check that the connector's shape matches the width of the straps concerned.

Guidance

The risers are generally guided from the container to the connection points by means of a guide sleeve. This sleeve protects the emergency risers from external damage and prevents them from becoming entangled with other elements outside the emergency device. The closure is usually made using Velcro or an "explode" zipper, which allows for quick opening and clean release of the emergency risers. It is important to check regularly that nothing could interfere with the proper functioning of the sleeve, particularly its full opening, so that the risers can perform their role perfectly. In the case of a ventral container equipped with a sheath connected to the harness, it is important to ensure that it is positioned outside thespeed bar assembly, so that the latter does not interfere with the release of the reserve risers.

Critical points to watch out for:
- Check the condition of the velcro, zip or closure system in general.
- Make sure that the sheath opens smoothly, with no sticking points.
- Check that the sheath opens fully, to release the risers correctly.

Container

The container is the part that will hold the pod and some of the lines (see folding manual). It can be integrated into the harness, or completely independent and then connected to the harness ventral container). The reserve risers are guided inside from their attachment points using the guide provided. Its role is therefore to keep the pod and lines in the best position in the event of extraction. It must be adapted in shape and volume to the parachute carried, or be adjustable to fit it as well as possible. A parachute that is too small for the container may bounce around and tangle the lines, or even open the pod! A parachute that is too large for the container can cause difficulties during extraction. It is generally composed of one or more flaps locked by the emergency handle, which will create an opening large enough for the parachute and pod to pass through during extraction. No part of the container's design should hinder or slow down the exit of the pod.
To overcome these compatibility issues, harnesses manufacturers now harnesses "pod-handle" assemblies that are perfectly adapted to harness internal container.

In this case, you must remove the parachute from its original pod (tested and approved during certification) and repack it in the pod specific to the harness. This operation is not so simple, as it requires partially unfolding the parachute and shaping it to fit the new pod. Care must be taken to follow the original folding recommendations as closely as possible, as these have been tested and approved and best guarantee optimal deployment of the emergency parachute.

Critical points to watch out for:
- Check the general condition of the container structure: fabric integrity, cleanliness, absence of moisture.
- Check that the volume of the container and the reserve parachute match. Adjust if necessary (adjustment system).
- Check that there is no damage to any of the components used to close the container: metal or textile eyelets, locking systems, retaining rings, metal needles, magnets, Velcro, etc.
- Check that no container-closing aid (hanger, snap ring) remains in place and interferes with proper operation.

Handle

The handle is the element that completes the emergency parachute packaging and will be the first link in the deployment chain. It is inseparable from the container, whether or not it is integrated into the harness, and whether or not it has a specific pod connected to this handle. It is this handle that will enable the container to be opened (and closed), the pod to be extracted, and the whole assembly to be thrown, leading to the deployment of the emergency parachute. It consists of a grab ring (variable size and shape), various elements for locking the container (pins, rings), and a strap connecting the grab ring to the pod. This strap is very important, as it is what allows the container to be opened and thrown effectively. If it is too short, the pod and its reserve will be pressed against the flaps before the handle can open them fully. If it is too long, the container will open more easily, but the throw may be less effective due to the greater leverage exerted. Furthermore, once the throw has been made, the handle at the end of the strap can more easily become entangled in the suspension lines and slow down (or even prevent) the opening of the pod and the release of the parachute. It is essential to have the shortest possible pod-handle connection to allow the container to open! Depending on the position of the pod in the container, the attachment point of the strap on the pod can play a significant role in this problem. Specialized pods provide an optimal solution, as the "pod-strap-handle" assembly is designed to be optimized for the container used. Once the handle is in place, the standard for harnesses that the force exerted on it to release the container must be between 2kg and 7kg. This test has been validated on a harness passed the EN 1651 standard, but it is always a good idea to check whether these values are still being met after a certain period of time, particularly on external (ventral) containers, which rarely undergo these tests. Time can affect certain elements of the container locking system, such as the elastic bands, which can lose their stiffness with use and no longer hold the handle firmly enough when not in use.

Critical points to watch out for:
- Check that the handle matches the container used.
- Check handle: integrity of ring, signs of wear, closure system (metal needles, snap rings, velcro).
- Inspect connecting strap: integrity of seams, condition of strap, cleanliness, signs of wear.
- Ensure that the strap length is appropriate for its position on the pod and container.

CONCLUSION

If you have to use your rescue parachute in a real situation, the last thing you need is to ask yourself a thousand questions ...
- Are my risers properly attached?
- How long has my rescue been packed?
- Will the container open properly?
- ...
That's why it's so important to get to know your rescue system well enough to understand it and be able to perform most operations yourself. This knowledge will also give you the confidence you need in real-life use.
- Observe your equipment, get to know it.
- Ask yourself questions.
- Imagine what could go wrong, and try to find a suitable solution.

Attach your harness a gantry, sit in it as if you were flying, and simulate an extraction from the pod. It is not necessarily necessary to go as far as throwing and opening the pod, as this will require the parachute to be folded. For example, you can ask someone to retrieve the pod and pull on it to extend the risers until they are taut at the connection points. Check that everything is OK, and if not, try to identify the problem and find a solution. Repeat the operation several times, testing different configurations:
– Grab the handle in different ways.
– Pull the handle in different directions (front, back, up, down, sideways, etc.).
– Pull the handle slowly or quickly.
– Simulate throwing the pod (with your assistant) in different directions to see if the elevators come out of the guide easily.
Be a little paranoid and consider all possible situations to test, even the most unlikely ones. Don't forget that you are sitting comfortably under a gantry and that you are missing a whole host of parameters that are difficult to simulate: emotions, centrifugal force, turbulence, fatigue, etc.

The rescue parachute deployment chain is made up of numerous links, each of which must be efficient individually, but also collectively with the others. If you find that certain elements are incompatible with each other, don't hesitate to quickly invest in suitable equipment. Nothing should be left to chance.

In case of doubt, we recommend that you seek professional advice.