Variables That Can Affect a Parachute

The term "parachute" comes from a French verb meaning "guard against falling," according to Globalsecurity.com. Its job is to protect the life of a person descending from a high altitude by slowing down the rate at which gravity pulls him toward the ground. Parachutes are important for war because they transport soldiers and the materials they need to the battlefield. Also, in times of disaster soldiers use parachutes to deliver medicines, goods and other supplies to people who need them most. Therefore, their users must know the factors affecting proper parachute performance and ensure that these devices work appropriately.

  1. Design, Size and Your Weight

    • Choose a parachute whose size and design are compatible with your weight. As Softieparachutes.com suggests, choosing a parachute more in line with your body weight or that of the equipment you must carry will mean a lower rate of descent. Choosing one too small to carry you will result in a crash that could cause injury or death. According to Globalsecurity.org, the correlation between a soldier's cargo weight and landing speed has become significant as the required amount of equipment troops must carry has increased. In response, the United States Army has developed an Advanced Tactical Parachutes system that it has designed to lower descent rates, which, in turn, results in smoother landings and, therefore, fewer injuries.

    Care: Maintenance/Storage

    • Keep your parachute in a bag. Place the bag in a well-ventilated place away from direct contact with sunlight, acids and/or oils. According to the Softieparachutes website, such care will lengthen the life of your parachute. In addition, if your canopy gets wet, don't attempt to handle the situation yourself. Instead, take it to a parachute rigger, a professional responsible for the maintenance of your parachute system on the ground.

    Steering/Control

    • Another variable that determines the effectiveness of your parachute is your steering technique. As Softieparachute.com advises, steer into the wind, looking out toward the horizon. Avoid attempting any turns below 100 feet. Hold your knees and feet tightly together. Point your toes downward. Place your arms overhead, rolling your body in the direction you are intending to land. If are heading toward the water, steer your parachute so that it lands downwind, causing the parachute to end up in front of you, as opposed to on top of your head.

    Inspection

    • The frequency, as well as the quality, of your inspection significantly affects the performance of your parachute. As Softieparachutes.com pojints out, pre-flight parachute inspection should be standard procedure. Examine the fabric, looking for stains or evidence of mildew. Search for webbing defects, such as nicks, fraying and missing or broken stitches. Lift the pin protector flap and inspect the pins. They should be straight, extending a minimum of half an inch through the closing loop. Then test the handle, making sure it easily deploys from its pocket. Also read the packing data card to see when packing occurred last. According to Softparachutes.com, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements dictate that parachute packing must take place every 120 days.