Tandem Emergency Procedures Flashcards
Situations that may occur between exit and drogue/reserve deployment
Broken or nonfunctional primary control lines
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve
*Instructions intended for Sigma main canopies
Broken or nonfunctional secondary control lines
Check if canopy can be controlled and landed
If not,
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve
*Instructions intended for Sigma main canopies
Broken suspension lines
Check if canopy can be controlled and landed If not, Pull Cutaway Ensure release of main risers Pull Reserve
Canopy fabric damage
Check if canopy can be controlled and landed If not, Pull Cutaway Ensure release of main risers Pull Reserve
Collapsed drogue in-tow during main deployment
Release the RSL
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve
Container open before the drogue has been deployed
Deploy the drogue
expect main canopy opening
Container open but the drogue cannot be deployed
Release the RSL
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle
*D-Bag no longer in the main tray, bottom flap may not be in its usual position and drogue handle hard to find
Cutaway procedure
If time and altitude permit: Capture legs of student Request that student: Arches, Head Back, Hands on Harness
Drogue becomes detached during drogue fall
Locate and pull reserve ripcord handle
Drogue entanglement with solo skydiver
Must clear within 10 seconds (altitude permitting),
Release the RSL shackle
Pull the cutaway
Pull drogue release
Ensure release of main risers
Stabilize & track 4-5 seconds (altitude awareness)
Pull Reserve
Drogue entanglement with the main canopy
If deployment or controllability is hindered:
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve
Drogue extraction difficulty
Use right elbow on the container for leverage
If unable to extract within 10 seconds following exit,
Pull reserve
Drogue has been deployed but is not visible behind tandem pair (stuck in burble)
Confirm not seeing the drogue
Confirm it is removed from pocket
Reach above the main pack tray with right hand
Grab drogue bridle/canopy to deploy vigorously
If unsuccessful,
Dip right shoulder to bring air across the pair’s back
If unsuccessful after 10 seconds following exit
Pull reserve
Drogue release handle pulled before deploying the drogue
Deploy the drogue immediately
Drogue/Bridle assembly detaches upon drogue release
Main canopy still in pack tray
Release the RSL
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle
Hard pull on drogue release
Pull each Drogue release separately
Pull both simultaneously
If unsuccessful
Pull reserve
Inflated Drogue In Tow
Pull Reserve
Instability following exit
Gain stability within 10 seconds,
If unsuccessful
Agressively deploy reserve
Line over
Release brakes Flare with both primary toggles (2 attempts) If unsuccessful Pull the breakaway handle Ensure full release of the main risers Pull the reserve handle
Line twists
Kick out of the line twist Get student to assist if necessary If unsuccessful Pull the breakaway handle Ensure full release of the main risers Pull the reserve handle
Main deployment bag lock
Locate and grab both emergency handles
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle
Non collapsed drogue after main deployment
Evaluate damage on main canopy
If unsafe to land
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle
Side Spin
Bring Student’s arms at their hips Capture student’s legs using your legs Removing arch of the spines Achieve stability Deploy Drogue
Side Spin (unable to recover)
Drogue Side Up,
Deploy Drogue
Drogue Side Down,
Pull Reserve
Streaming Main Canopy
Pull down rear risers simultaneously (2 attempts) If unsuccessful, Pull Cutaway Ensure release of main risers Pull Reserve
Student grabs both the Tandem Instructor’s arms during drogue fall
By all means, free any arm
Depending on side,
Follow appropriate procedure
Student grabs both TI’s arms during drogue fall
By all means, free any arm
Depending on side,
Follow appropriate procedure
Student grabs the TI’s right arm during drogue fall
Free right arm
Pull Left release at proper altitude
Student grabs TI’s left arm during drogue fall
Free left arm
Pull Right release at proper altitude
(Drogue in tow : Reserve can be activated via RSL shackle)
Student grabs TI’s left arm immediately after exit
10 sec to free left arm
Deploy Drogue
Pull Right release at proper altitude
Student grabs TI’s right arm immediately after exit
10 sec to free right arm
If unsuccessful,
Pull Reserve
Tandem pair entanglement with drogue bridle
Clear drogue bridle within 10 sec following exit
If unsuccessful,
Pull Reserve
Tandem pair entanglement with drogue canopy
Clear drogue canopy within 10 sec following exit
If unsuccessful,
Pull Reserve
Tension knots on main canopy
Release brakes Counter any turn Aggressive input with risers/controls to clear knots If unsuccessful, Pull Cutaway Ensure release of main risers Pull Reserve
Two Canopy Out (Bi-Plane)
Leave all brakes stowed
Gentle inputs on rear risers of front canopy to turn
Two Canopy Out (Downplane)
Disconnect the RSL (if altitude permits)
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Two Canopy Out (Side-By-Side)
Leave all brakes stowed
Make gentle inputs on rear risers of dominant canopy to turn
Un-inflated drogue immediately after drogue deployment
Wait 8 seconds
If doesn’t inflate,
Deploy Main
(expect longer trap door and slower main opening)
