{"id":27114,"date":"2020-07-28T16:13:14","date_gmt":"2020-07-28T16:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=27114"},"modified":"2024-07-04T11:38:01","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T11:38:01","slug":"cutaway-reserve-now-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/cutaway-reserve-now-what\/","title":{"rendered":"Cutaway… Reserve!… NOW WHAT??!!…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You’ve cut away your main, you have a reserve canopy flying, woo hoo. <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now what?!! <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
PD Optimum reserve canopy during deployment after a cutaway
Photo by Maxine Tate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When was the last time you flew your reserve?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Check out this suggested dive flow for your reserve ride from reserve deployment back down to earth… <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

There has been a lot of discussion over the last years on when to cut away, along with how to stay current with emergency procedures – all vitally important stuff. But what happens after you have successfully jettisoned your main – how much thought have you given to that? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much as we have a tendency to focus on the importance of freefall in the skydive without much consideration to the canopy flight, we have been focusing on the cutaway without discussing how we bring ourselves back down to earth safely under our reserve canopy\u2026 So, here is a suggested dive flow for your reserve ride from reserve deployment to ground zero:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
PD Optimum post deployment
Photo by Maxine Tate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No Line Twists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First things first – your reserve is out, hopefully fully inflated and without line twists. (Show some love to your rigger later :)) If not, make it so, there is no Plan C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no Plan C” <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

TAP check<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What’s next? As you would do with your main, go through your post deployment checklist as follows: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

TAP \u2013 Traffic, Altitude, Position<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Traffic<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your airspace is clear- scan around you quickly\nand if needed make the necessary avoidance maneuvers immediately using your\nreserve rear risers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Altitude<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Check your altitude – do it now<\/strong>!!! Look down – if you are dangerously low your eyes will tell you instantly. Look at your visual altimeter for a more accurate reading – you could well be low after a cutaway, so it’s time to assess (for example are you still above pattern entry height?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Position<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n