What exactly went wrong?

Sometimes malfunctions happen. That is why we are required to have double parachute/canopy system. My lines decided to twist up as the canopy was coming out of my rig and off my back. I was then diving towards the ground while I was spinning underneath the canopy. Things start to happen very quickly in this sport and because my Wingsuit is a bit restrictive in the arms I was unable to reach up and handle the malfunction.

It's important not to spend too much time trying to solve one problem, but instead go to plan 'B', that is what the reserve is for. I had to pull the main cutaway handle which releases the main parachute (there is no real cutting action, just release of the connection points to the rig) and then pull the reserve handle which deploys the reserve. The reserve came out while I was still spinning and on my back so that meant that there were some twists there. Once the reserve was out I unzipped my arms, reached up and untwisted the reserve (there was a brief moment where it wanted to twist up again) and landed safely in a farmers field.

Looking at this from another angle "What went right?"

During the whole process I stayed calm and did what I have practiced a 1000x to do. The gear is designed to work in these situations. No matter how bad it is...I know to solve one thing at a time, stress is not my friend so I always continue to update my 'mental picture' and then continue to solve what's next until I am safely on the ground.

Skydiving is my passion. In this sport we always learn from each jump even if there is a reserve ride. Live to skydive again! Flying across the sky is unbelievable and amazing.

What is Your Skydiving Experience

- Wingsuit Flyer, Tandem Instructor, AFF Instructor, Video Flyer, Demonstration Jumper
- 5000+ Skydives
-18 Malfunctions/Reserve Rides