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The Skydiver's Guide to Picking the Right Parachute
from: Maxx Sports GuidesSome skydivers around the world are trying to land without a parachute, even though this feat has yet to be proven safe and effective.
Most trained enthusiasts know what they need, including safety guides. However, newcomers and thrill seekers are less aware.
So, before you decide to try an extreme sport make certain you follow safety guides to prevent any unwanted surprises.
For any veteran skydiver, landing looks pretty easy. However, a newcomer can't afford to be complacent. Selecting the right parachute will depend on the particular extreme sport you decide to pursue. Modern designs come in different variations and some are even personalized.
Choosing Your Parachute
The main differences are in the parachute's canopy and overall design. If you plan on taking it easy you can start with skydiving or parasailing. Newcomers can enrol in skydiving clubs where you can learn the basics.
Parachutes used for skydiving are called Ram Air. They're equipped with parafoils that make them safe and easy to control. They also have two sheets that provide high pressure for better direction and stability.
Parasailing on the other hand uses a parasail. It is a Para Commander type of parachute which is a variation of the round parachute. It has suspension lines attached to the canopy's apex.
Ribbon and ring parachutes are used in speed skydiving. They're made to deploy at supersonic speeds. The ring shaped canopy has a large hole in the center to release pressure, and the ribbons spread under extreme pressure.
The most common type of design used by newcomers is the Ram Air parachute, which can be rectangular or tapered. They're stable and usually used for recreational skydiving and courses. Rectangular ram air parachutes are also used for BASE jumping, canopy formation and as reserve chutes.
BASE jumping is extremely dangerous because you have to jump from fixed objects. BASE stands for Building, Antenna, Span and Earth. Antennas can be uninhabited towers, spans can be bridges or arches, and earth can be cliffs or other natural formations.
Size and Shape Matters
The canopy's size and shape is also important because it affects the parachute's effectiveness. The canopy's size depends upon its payload or passenger. Make sure the canopy has enough capacity to support your body weight.
Heavy weights need larger canopies and thicker lines or cords. The weight capacity can be found on the package. Make sure that your parachute will be able to support your descent.
However, just knowing all of this isn't enough. Take courses first before attempting a jump.
As well as having the right parachute, you must make sure they're packed correctly. If they're not packed correctly, the main canopy may not inflate or get tangled in the lines. If they inflate too quickly the lines may break and the canopy may tear.
Have fun, but make certain that you're taking all the necessary safety precautions, and reading all the guides.
Surviving a fall is rare, although records show that individuals have been able to do so.
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