More then 1 reserve chute?

[FlyingJarhead 0]

I tried searching for this, so forgive me if i passed it on the results,

but i was curious, is it possible to have 1 main canopy, and 2 reserve chutes? or can you use a main canopy and the same brand canopy for a reserve chute(so 2 of the same)

im new and im still gathering information so i can have a very unique and exciting set up once i drop the $$ to get all my gear

[airtwardo 7]

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so i can have a very unique and exciting set up

***

Really don't know what to say...


You 'can' get a similar main and reserve canopy...

Similar in terms of size, flight characteristics and color pattern...won't really be 'unique' as all my rigs are that way.

You can have a 3 parachute system built...
That might prove to be 'exciting' but you'll be jumping it alone a lot, I bet.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Are you asking this question because you want a backup for your backup? Or are you asking it because you just want to know if you can jump a main and a reserve which perform in a very similar manner. If you're asking this question for the latter reason, then yes there is nothing stopping someone from jumping a main and a reserve with compatible flight characteristics. But if you're looking for a backup to your backup, know that the reserve risers are attached to your harness and you can't cut your reserve away. So having two reserves and one main just doesn't make sense. Reserves are engineered to open. Hopefully you will have some trust in how they work and you'll trust that the rigger who packed the reserve did a good job. But nothing is guaranteed in this sport. You can do everything right and still die on a jump. But don't forget:

"It's a parachute. It wants to open".

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[FlyingJarhead 0]

i was asking if i could have a back up to my back up. the other question you answered, you said that the reserve is engineered differently... so that means its different then the main canopy.

forgive me for dumb or aimless questions, just trying to be better before i start!

[Trae 1]

in reply to " I was asking if i could have a back up to my back up."
..........................................

Sure can.

Usually these tertiaries are only used for specialty jumps such as intentional cutaways.

try searching under 'tertiary ' for more onfo on carrying three parachutes.

[FlyingJarhead 0]

thank you much!

the terminology is something i need to learn..

[TomAiello 26]

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...the reserve is engineered differently... so that means its different then the main canopy.

In the US, you can jump any canopy you want as a main canopy, including a virtually identical copy (you'd have to add a few features, like a bridle attachment) of your reserve canopy.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[JohnMitchell 16]

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im new and im still gathering information so i can have a very unique and exciting set up once i drop the $$ to get all my gear

The exciting part is jumping out of the plane. The reserve should not be exciting at all. Stay with the norm, 1 main and 1 reserve, until you get a bunch of jumps. Don't try to reinvent the wheel until you know a little more. It's very unlikely you'll ever need a back up to your reserve, especially if you jump a recommended wingloading. Most people die because they don't pull the reserve.

[kelpdiver 2]

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i was asking if i could have a back up to my back up. the other question you answered, you said that the reserve is engineered differently... so that means its different then the main canopy.

The added complexity detracts from much of the potential safety gain. Most (all) of the people carrying one are intending to do something to their main - like intentionally cut it away. Their reserve is effectively their primary, making the third chute the true reserve.

[Andy9o8 2]

To support what others have said, I presume you ask this out of the common non-jumpers' (mis!)conception that most skydiving fatalities happen because "the main chute didn't open, and then the reserve chute didn't open, either" - in other words, everything was done right by the jumper, but the equipment simply failed. That's why it's not uncommon for non-skydivers to wonder why skydivers don't jump a third parachute. I can tell you that a fatality caused by nothing more than "both chutes didn't open" is an extremely rare case (despite the simplistic, and inaccurate way the news media often reports skydiving accidents). Most fatalities occur due mainly to jumper error, either in getting himself and/or others into an emergency situation (like a collision or loss of altitude awareness), or failing to properly employ established emergency procedures to safely deal with a malfunction of the main parachute.

Let's put it this way - sport skydiving over the past 40 years or so has been blessed with having some pretty brilliant equipment inventors. You can be sure that this is an issue they've thought about long and hard, and if having a 3rd parachute as standard equipment was the best way to achieve safety, it would be the standard now. The fact that that's not routinely done demonstrates that the reason why it's not done is because maximum safety is dependent upon other things. Take the time to learn all you can about the sport and its equipment, and only then start the process of deciding, with the assistance of your instructors, what gear is best for you.

[eUrNiCc 0]

As far as I know, the only canopy that can be used as either a main or reserve is a Raven. It's an older design, but if you're set on the idea of having the exact same main and reserve canopy, then it's probably your only option.

Egad, A BASE life defiles a bad age.

[Beatnik 2]

The Falcon canopy from Precision Aerodynamics has been fully tested and compliant with TSO C-23c, Category B. In other words it can be used as a reserve as well for any one who wants a 9 cell reserve.

[TrickyDicky 0]

My friend has a Predator (South african afaik) as a reserve, which is actually a 9 cell main.

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