Equipment

Jumpers can wear all type of clothing for skydiving. Some special jumpsuits improve aerodynamic performance and have handles that fellow jumpers can hold when performing group tricks.

A parachute comprises three basic components: main canopy, reserve canopy, and the harness-container system. An automatic activation device (AAD) can open one of the parachutes at a preset altitude, in case the jumper becomes unaware of the height.

The parachute canopy is a rectangular, inflatable wing, open in the front to scoop air. It is sewn closed in the back, which ensures the parachute to remain filled. The ram-air canopy is made of a series of airfoil-shaped sections. Sewn together side by side, they form a wing like an air mattress. Parachute canopies range in size from less than 9.3 sq m to more than 46.5 sq m. The reserve canopy is opened only if the main canopy does not function properly. The two canopies are stored in a backpack that attaches to the jumper.

The backpack attaches to a harness made of strong, durable, nylon straps. Skydivers wear the harness buckled around the thighs, chest, and shoulders. It attaches to the base of the parachute risers, four straps between the jumper’s shoulders and the suspension line of the canopy. These lines ensure that the skydiver and canopy remain connected during the fall.

Many jumpers wear an altimeter and an alert to help them track their height. When a skydiver reaches the canopy deployment altitude, the alarm reminds the skydiver to open the parachute. Jumpers wear goggles to protect their eyes as well as lightweight head protection and footwear suitable to their landing site. Many jumpers wear light gloves in cold conditions.