This CF video is an example of what to do when in a down plane and one canopy is entangled and both main canopies are clear form one another. The configuration is not survivable and deploying more fabric will only make matters worse.

The size of the canopies in this video are 193 (good main), 220 (bad main), and the video flyer has a 176 with 10 lbs of weight on. Wing loading is about .9- 1:1.

Note the bad main is a-symmetrically loaded and spinning. The effect is much like an unbalanced tire. The spin is in an elliptical fashion and is thrashing the jumper’s leg where they cannot kick their shoe off. The line is tightening more and more and also preventing losing the shoe in order to get out. Also note that the jumper stretched and cannot reach with a knife to cut, not even a full size such as a jack the ripper model. Lastly note the rate of decent from the video person. If the wing load had been higher the forces and decent rate would be much more.

The entanglement started at about 4000- 3500 and ended about 1000 to 1500 feet later. The video time depicts 1000 feet per minute decent.

The action was to slow the rate of decent by holding . or deep brake to slow down the rate of decent and relieve pressure from the bad side of the down-plane. While doing so, both canopies want the weight of the jumper underneath so a balance must be obtained to prevent the two from entangling with each other. Heading does not matter at this point; however, a turn could at centripetal force and make things harder to deal with. Next was to reach to cut. This was done by crossing the right leg over the left as the bad canopy was on the left foot to help stop some of the thrashing. Using large muscle groups, core abs and thighs, the jumper is able to ball up in the fetal position and was able to reach to cut the line.

Things to consider:

The forces involved were only relieved not omitted- You still have a fight ahead of you.

In This scenario, the jumper was facing skyward with a half twist of the lines on the good canopy so as to have eyes on the bad canopy and to be able reach without reaching behind. It is much easier to do a “crunch” while bring your legs in and see where you are placing your knife. Early detection is the key and inducing the half twist so you are facing skyward is very helpful.