Skydiving equipment

A skydiver's equipment is made up of three main parachute system components and generally a reserve automatic activation device. One main and one reserve parachute are packed into a specialized backpack with a chest strap and leg straps cinched to keep the jumper securely fastened.

Skydiving equipment has advanced considerably over the last several years. Round parachutes are seldom seen these days and have been replaced by modern, rectangular "ram-air" canopies that have better directional control and offer softer landings. Reserve parachutes are typically worn on the back above the main parachute, as opposed to the older front-mount assembly, and parachute fabrics today are more durable. Parachute canopies are usually made of zero-porosity nylon fabric that lasts for for thousands of jumps.

No parachute is 100% reliable. However, most malfunctions result from human error, not mechanical failure. Main parachute malfunctions can usually be traced to improper packing, poor technique at the time of deployment, or inadequate pre-jump inspection. These errors make it necessary to carry a reserve as well as a main parachute. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that the reserve parachute be inspected and repacked every 120 days (whether it's used or not) by an FAA-certified parachute rigger. In the event of a malfunction, the jumper jettisons the main parachute by pulling the cutaway handle. A second handle activates the reserve parachute.

Other Equipment:

Automatic Activation Device (AAD)
An AAD is a self-contained device that calculates rate of descent and altitude and deploys either the main or reserve canopy at a preset altitude. AADs are back-up devices required for student skydivers and worn by most experienced jumpers.

Reserve Static Line (RSL)
RSLs are attached to the main parachute's risers to activate the reserve parachute if the main parachute is jettisoned during an emergency.

Jumpsuit
Though jumpsuits are not required, they have different functions depending on the skydiving discipline. Specialized fabrics and different tailoring help control descent speeds and give the skydiver more freefall control. Tight jumpsuits made of slippery materials allow for a faster fall rate for smaller people, while large, canvas-like jumpsuits provide a slower fall rate for bigger people.

Altimeters
Visual altimeters show altitude and are typically worn either on the wrist or front of the torso. Audible altimeters with pre-set alarms are worn near the ears to aid in altitude awareness.

Helmets
Helmets are required for student jumpers and worn by most experienced jumpers. For experienced jumpers, they range from leather aviator-style hats to full-coverage motorcycle-like hard helmets, made especially for skydiving.

Goggles
Jumpers wear goggles or sunglasses to protect their eyes from freefall speeds ranging around 150 mph.