Direct - 1:32
Ever wonder what happens if BOTH your parachutes malfunction during a world record event? After our 5th attempt to build the 200 Way formation and a safe breakoff, I deploy my parachute, resulting in spinning line twists. I am in the first breakoff wave, meaning there are skydivers deploying on level with me as well as BELOW me that I'm rapidly spinning towards - a VERY dangerous situation that can result in a parachute collision. While line twists are sometimes recoverable parachute malfunctions, given the high performance of the canopy, the speed of the malfunction, and the general situation and number of people in the area, a cutaway is the safest resolution here.
The resulting cutaway is fine, however I end up with line twists on my reserve! After kicking out of those, I chase my main canopy and freebag over the river into some fields. I luckily landed without incident. It took over 5 days to recover my main parachute and my free bag landed in the same field I landed in and a very kind hunter named Brad found it and returned it to me! Thank you, Brad! Also shout-out to Steve and Marcus for their efforts to help locate my equipment while under canopy.
Remember that big way skydiving is an added level of danger to skydiving, so it's important to keep your wits about you. Despite chasing my gear, I'm also making sure I pick a safe place to land and avoid other canopy traffic - which is my first priority over chasing gear. Luckily in this case I could continue my chase because of the suitable landing area my gear landed near.
23 August 2022, Skydive #2938, Skydive Chicago, 19.8k exit alt, RRR Trail Plane
Cutaway #7, VK71 loaded at 2.8, RSL deployment
26 авг 2024
