Skydivers put a lot of faith into a thin piece of material that shoots out of a backup to help them float towards the ground safely.
When you’re freefalling from 20,000 feet, a range of emotions can take over.
Fear.
Adrenalin.
A sense of peace as you’re flying towards the Earth.
But if it’s your first time taking the plunge, then you might have some last-minute questions about that piece of material attached to your back.
Are you the first person using this one, or are parachutes reusable?
Yes, parachutes are reusable. In fact, if the parachute is well maintained and repackaged correctly, it can last for approximately 1000 jumps. But reusing a parachute doesn’t just require you folding it up and placing it back into its packaging.
Here’s everything you need to know about a parachute so you can reuse it over and over again.
What Types Of Parachutes Can Be Reused?
The material designed to make parachutes have evolved over the years due to the technology used to create them.
Some of the fabrics were developed for one-time use only.
But over time, other materials were used as they can be reused over and over again.
Silk
Silk was used to replace canvas once it was found to be lighter, stronger, and thinner.
It was also fire resistant and much easier to fold and repackage for reuse.
Nylon
When silk supply was reduced during World War II, nylon was chosen due to its wind resistance capability, flexibility, and as it was significantly cheaper to produce.
It was also lightweight and dried quicker, making it resistant to mold.
The material was also utilized for other parts of the parachute, including the harness, reinforcing tape, and suspension lines.
Kevlar
This material is also used on bulletproof clothing.
It’s heat and flame resistant and doesn’t lose its strength or shape in high temperatures.
It can also be stored away for long periods of time.
Terylene
This is a polyester-type fabric and is commonly used for most parachutes due to its strength, durability, and resistance to heat.
Depending on the type of material that is being used for the parachute will determine how many times it can be reused.
How Do You Maintain A Parachute So It Can Be Reused?
Looking after your parachute and gear will determine how many times it can be reused.
Fortunately, it doesn’t require a lot of effort to keep your materials protected.
The best thing you can do for your gear is to keep it in a cool place.
This doesn’t mean putting it on a mantle.
You need to keep it out of the sun.
Heat can cause significant damage to the material and any batteries that may be linked to your reserve chute.
Keeping your gear dry is also essential.
If you’re keeping your parachute in a garage, then you want to keep it away from any grease, oils, or any liquids that could seep into the material.
If you do spill anything on it, then try to dry it off as quickly as possible.
You should also check with a rigger that the parachute is still safe to use.
After a jump, if your parachute drags through any dirt or mud, then you will need to get it cleaned or repaired.
It’s best to take this to a professional who can ensure that all the components that make up the parachute are safe and ready for the next jump.
Any moisture or mud can cause cords to become sticky and prone to tension knots, which is the last thing you want to encounter when you’re flying through the air.
While your parachute looks like a backpack, it’s not something to be thrown about like it’s something you would take to school.
It needs to be treated like a piece of safety equipment.
The slightest bit of damage can have significant implications, so treat your gear with care to ensure no harm comes to it.
Taking care of your parachute and gear will allow it to be used for multiple jumps and also gives you peace of mind that it will deploy correctly while you’re in the air.
How Do You Pack A Parachute So It Can Be Reused?
Repacking a parachute can take around 10-15 minutes.
All parachutes come with an owner’s manual, which you should use to repack a parachute.
You can also pay a rigger to repack your parachute.
But the most common steps to repack a parachute for reuse are:
Use both hands to pick up the lines
Hold the lines and walk towards the canopy
Step to one side, outside of the lines, and place them over your shoulder
Count all of the cells, take the entire nose in one hand, and rear rise line groups in the other
Peel the fabric between each line group starting with the A and B lines
Quarter the slide by distributing the fabric front to back and side to side
Pull up the trailing edge
Check to make sure all cells of the nose are neat
Roll the tail
Maintain tension of the lines and lay the canopy down gently
Follow the container manufacturer’s instruction on cocking your pilot chute
Try to remove as much as possible from the canopy
Dress it as close to the side of the deployment bag as you can
Bring the tail end of the cocoon towards the top of the canopy to make the shape of an S
Make a second S by lifting the top of the canopy and folding it towards you and then back over itself in the opposite direction
Pull the bag over one side of the canopy and push it into the corner to fill the entire bag
Roll the canopy towards the closing flap
Follow the container manufacturer’s instructions for closing the bag
If you’re not sure that you’ve packed your parachute correctly, then it’s best to get it checked by a professional before you next jump out of a plane.
How Do You Know When A Parachute Can’t Be Reused?
It’s easy to lose count of how many jumps you’ve had with your parachute.
There’s also no exact number of skydives before your chute should be replaced.
For some, it can be in the hundreds.
For others, it can be in the thousands.
The only way you’ll know is by taking a closer look at every aspect of your parachute.
As you’re inspecting your equipment, there are some key signs to look out for that will let you know whether you should invest in a new chute or pack it up for another jump.
The easiest things to spot are rips and burns on the ends of the parachute.
Sometimes these can be repaired so that you don’t need to replace the entire parachute, but you should get a professional opinion on this.
Another sign is if the material on the canopy is starting to get too thin.
This is generally the result of sun exposure.
If the material is too thin, it can rip while you’re in the air and increase the speed of your landing.
If you notice any of these signs, then you should take your parachute to a professional who can give you an indication of how many jumps you’ve got left.
They can also patch it up to extend its longevity and save you the cost of having to purchase a brand-new parachute.
Is It Safe To Reuse A Parachute?
Yes, it is entirely safe to reuse a parachute provided that it’s the right material and that it has been well maintained.
While repackaging a parachute is simple provided that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions or get a professional rigger to prepare it for your next jump, the key to longevity is to take care of the equipment.
If you ever have any doubts about your equipment, then you should speak to a professional before booking your next jump.
