CHAPTER 1

RESERVE
PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 1
RESERVE
PROCEDURES
SIGMA TANDEM SYSTEM OWNERS MANUAL
Page 2:X Section 4: Malfunctions & 11301 - 00.00.0000
EMERGENCY RESPONSE SEQUENCE
It is very important to take the time to think out and rehearse how you would respond to different situations before
you are ever faced with them. Always read the Tandem accident and incident reports to learn from the mistakes of
others. Study this information as if your life depends on it, because it does!
Unusual or emergency situations while performing Tandem jumps require quick assessment and decision making
with the proper reactions. You must be familiar with all options available for both right and left hand response. It is
equally important to have a complete understanding of the proper sequence of actions needed should you experience
a situation that you do not fully understand. The addition of the drogue system adds extra procedures which are
different than those you would perform when jumping solo. Refer to Malfunction Tree charts on pages 80-81.
A. Reserve procedures:
Out-of sequence deployments
Total malfunctions
Partial malfunctions
Canopy transfers
1) Out-of-sequence deployments:
In the event of an out of sequence deployment or something occurring that you have not seen before, follow your
normal sequence of deployment prior to second guessing what the problem may be. That sequence is:
* deploy the drogue
* pull either the primary or secondary drogue release handles, or both.
* assess main canopy condition and cutaway
* pull one of the reserve deployment systems (either the reserve ripcord or the ball handle on the RSL.)
2) Total malfunctions:
Do not deviate from this sequence unless you can clearly identify a problem that has not been covered by this
manual.
* deploy the drogue
* pull the primary and the secondary drogue release handles
* pull one of the reserve deployment systems
3) Partial malfunctions:
* Ask student to assume freefall position. (Hands on harness, feet together, knees bent at 90 degrees and body
arched.)
* Scissor students legs between yours.
* PULL THE GREEN HANDLE (BREAKAWAY) with right hand. Insure a clean breakaway. PULL THE RED RESERVE
RIPCORD with the left hand. REMEMBER - GREEN FOR GO...RED FOR STOP.
NOTE: The reserve static line should pull the reserve pin, but never rely on it. It is possible to release the reserve static
line before breaking away. This will enable you to go back into freefall without activating your reserve. As soon as you
regain stability (no more than 5 seconds), PULL THE RED HANDLE. This procedure is rarely if ever indicated.
Page 3:X
SIGMA TANDEM SYSTEM OWNERS MANUAL
11301 - 00.00.0000 Section X - Title of Section
4) Canopy transfers:
A canopy transfer, where the reserve is deployed without first jettisoning the main, is not recommended with a ram-
air reserve under normal circumstances, nor is it recommended with Tandem. The reserve pilot chute may not have
enough drag to extract the reserve freebag from its container. If it does, the resulting deployment will be unpredictable.
RESERVE CANOPY PROCEDURES
Steering the reserve parachute:
The reserve is set up exactly the same as the main, except the toggles do not have the double loop for student
assistance, but are set up for Tandem Instructor solo control.