On my 60th jump there was a problem with my main parachute (a spinning malfunction). I wasn’t able to determine the problem quick enough, so I cut away the main and deployed my reserve parachute. The main kept spinning to the right and I tried to straighten it out several times, but without constant left rear-riser input it wouldn’t stay flying straight.

I never unstowed the brakes, because I was so preoccupied with looking at the canopy and controlling it with rear risers to get out of the spin; it did not occur to me to check the brakes. That was the first mistake I made and I might have eliminated the problem entirely, had I just pulled the brakes loose, then performed a control check (mainly flaring the canopy).

After what I am going to guess may have been 10 seconds, I decided that the time I spent under a malfunctioning canopy was long enough and I didn’t want to take the chance landing a canopy that I could not trust to stay straight. The easiest way to die under a good canopy is making a low turn. I just couldn’t trust myself landing with one toggle down and one toggle up; resulting in a pretty awkward flare that could have slammed me into the ground if I was off a bit. I also thought that I could just not flare at all, but then that didn’t sound fun. After landing, I know I could have done it fairly safely, since there was plenty of wind that day, but theres no way I could have known the wind would have been that cooperative.

At that point I spent all the time that I felt was acceptable thinking about it. The decision making time is over. I picked what I thought was the safest route and went with it.

The last thing I remember saying to myself is, “I’m not landing this. It was going to happen sooner or later. Oh well… damn it”.

I pulled the cutaway handle, felt the right risers cut away and a “drop”. Then I looked at the left riser which was still attached. I waited for the reserve static line to cut the left side, because I knew the RSL was attached. I checked it myself several times. Mistake. For some reason my mind was determined to see that RSL in action.

Stupid. I admit that was a bad idea. I should have pulled the reserve handle myself as I was taught to do instead of waiting for the RSL.

I also should have pulled the cut away handle all the way out, detaching it completely. Which I did not. I thought I did, because when the main released, I dropped, let go of the handle and didn’t realize the cutaway cable wasn’t completely detached. I’m assuming this might be why there was a delay between the time the RSL side disconnected. After a second or two the RSL popped and before I even realized it, the reserve was out and flying.

I want to do it again.

A reserve ride is one thing I was never looking forward to. I didn’t mind flying a reserve. I do mind not flying a reserve. When it happened, it was actually very fun. The experience went from “Damn it” to “Sweet!”. The reserve flew really well. I owe Gus a case of beer for packing my reserve and saving my life. That was one great, quick opening.

Luckily someone saw my main parachute land and picked it up for me. Thanks to whoever kept an eye on me in the air when I cut. Dean saw my free bag and pilot chute fall out near the road. I looked for it four times and couldn’t find it and I have a hundred thorn holes in my legs. Then we went out to the road and he knew exactly where it was. Thanks Dean! It was about 20 feet off the road, where I looked several times for it and completely missed it. Then I walked through thorn hell and back to get to it.

This happened on my first jump yesterday and I wanted to jump some more so I rented a rig and jumped with Dennis. A reserve ride isn’t ruining my fun.

Last week I just wanted to go home. It was hot and I was worn out, so I “trash packed” the canopy into the bag. I intentionally did a bad job putting the canopy in the bag so I could just go home. That may or may not have caused the problem, but the consensus is that it didn’t, because it’s too hard to pack a malfunction according to what I hear from a lot of skydivers. I’m inclined to believe that, since I know I didn’t do a terrible job. I was just a little sloppy getting the top of the canopy in the bag and pushing the edges in.

When your at 3000 feet you really don’t have too long to make a decision. You have to cutaway with enough altitude to get your reserve open and slow down for a soft landing in an acceptable spot. That’s what was on my mind. I didn’t know how to correct the problem and I knew it wasn’t smart to take my time.

I probably could have fixed the problem without cutting away. It was a matter of having time to figure out what the problem is and a lack of experience; knowing what to look for. I think this is a pretty clear indication of how little unseasoned jumpers know about malfunctions. It’s not an excuse. I should have known exactly what to do in any type of malfunction. If you’re a skydiver. I’m willing to bet, you don’t. At least 9 out of 10 of you. Find out. Refresh your memory.

This is another problem among skydivers that I’ve learned first hand, early in my skydiving “career”. I think I’m pretty fortunate to have learned what I have this early. The longer you go without knowing, the better your chance is for not getting a second chance when you make mistakes. We jump higher performance canopies for example and 1000 jumps from now your canopy might not be as forgiving when a problem arises.

The Scott Miller course and recent rises in low altitude accidents, caused me to really push myself to concentrate on my canopy and worry about the rest later. Now the cut away. I made plenty of stupid mistakes. I survived, learned from the experience and won’t make them a second time.

Regardless, I landed with no problems and I’m glad it happened. It was fun. I learned some very valuable lessons. Next time, I’ll be much more prepared. If I could do it again, I would because I learned so much. Next time I’ll know a lot more than I did.

• Check the brake lines. Are they stowed? Is one brake unstowed?
• Unstow the brakes and flare the canopy. Does it clear the spinning malfunction?
• Pull the cut away handle completely and get rid of it. When I pulled the handle, I “dropped” and thought I did all I needed to do with the handle.
• Check altitude if possible . Do you have enough time to try to fix the problem?
• Pull the reserve handle. Don’t depend on the RSL. I’m still not sure why I did that. Adrenaline I guess