Cutaways

[a...@infoswx.uucp]

I disagree with the "always" cutting away. With a T-10, a green student
is less likely to screw up a reserve depoloyment with deploying the
reserve without a cutaway. The success of the Military with this method
should indicate that this is true.

I also believe that if the Main is either a PC-type parachute, or a
ram-air, a cutaway is required.

Some DZ's can afford the more advanced gear, but most are till using the
old T-10s (or MC1-1B). Since most students are after a "high speed
carnival ride", the training should be geared for a student making
less than 5 jumps. I believe not cutting away is the best bet for when
a T-10 canopy is used

Al Gettier
Teknekron Infoswitch
ihnp4!infoswx!al
convex!infoswx!al

[alcmist]

>
> I disagree with the "always" cutting away. With a T-10, a green student
> is less likely to screw up a reserve depoloyment with deploying the
> reserve without a cutaway. The success of the Military with this method
> should indicate that this is true.

The only reason the military teaches hand-deployment is that
they typically jump from altitudes too low to permit
a safe cutaway. HALO (High altitude, low opening ) jumps
in the military are made with cutaway gear.

As for their success, I quote Dan Poynter's book, The Parachute Manual:
"A 1955 survey was conducted to evaluate the frequency of reserve activations
(WADD TR 59-17). The troop reserve was activated 0.2% of the jumps and it fun-
ctioned properly 75% of the time. These were throw-outs under a main canopy."
Fred Wamsley ihnp4!sol1!s255 D8844

[a...@infoswx.uucp]

> /* End of text from infoswx:net.rec.skydive */

I know reserves don't always work perfectly, but when your average skydiving
center runs a FJC in 6-8 hours, I believe more students will be seriously
injured or killed screwing up a cut-away than seriously injured or killed
with reserve malfunctions.

Al Gettier
D 5850