These errors make it necessary to carry a reserve as well as a main parachute. Main parachutes are jettisoned with the cutaway handle. A second handle activates the reserve parachute. The sequence of a main parachute deployment relies on a series of interrelated parts. There are different systems available that vary slightly, including gear designed for student training.
Most experienced skydivers use a pilot chute throw-out system for deploying their main parachute.
A small, round parachute, called a pilot chute, is housed on the skydiver s harness or container in a tight pouch. To activate deployment, the pilot chute is pulled from the pouch and thrown into the surrounding air stream. The pilot chute is attached to a length of fabric, or bridle, that connects to the top of the parachute itself which is housed within a deployment bag. Midway along the bridle is a pin holding the main parachute container closed. When the pilot chute inflates in the air stream it creates drag which pulls the pin, thus opening the main parachute container.