reservefallskjerm

The reservefallskjerm, commonly referred to as the reserve parachute, is the secondary parachute carried by most skydivers as an emergency system. It is designed to deploy when the main canopy fails to open, malfunctions, or does not provide adequate lift. The reserve is carried in a dedicated container mounted on the harness, separate from the main canopy, and is packed by a certified rigger according to manufacturer and regulatory standards.

A typical reserve system includes the canopy, a deployment bag, a pilot chute, a bridle, and a release handle. Modern rigs may include an automatic activation device (AAD) that can deploy at a preset altitude if the jumper is unresponsive, and some setups use an RSL to synchronize reserve deployment with main canopy deployment during certain training configurations.

To deploy, the skydiver pulls the reserve handle. The handle releases the bridle, which deploys the pilot chute; the pilot chute inflates and pulls out the reserve canopy. The system is designed to operate independently of the main canopy to ensure redundancy. In some configurations, RSLs or AADs provide additional safety during training.

Maintenance and safety: The reserve system must be inspected before each flight; packing must be performed by a qualified rigger, and the entire system should be repacked at manufacturer- or regulator-specified intervals. If the reserve has been deployed, it must be repacked before reuse. Standards vary by country and organization.