Tandem Emergency Procedures

Question 1

Broken or nonfunctional primary control lines

Answer 1

Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve
*Instructions intended for Sigma main canopies

Question 2

Broken or nonfunctional secondary control lines

Answer 2

Check if canopy can be controlled and landed
If not,
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve
*Instructions intended for Sigma main canopies

Question 3

Broken suspension lines

Answer 3

Check if canopy can be controlled and landed
If not,
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve

Question 4

Canopy fabric damage

Answer 4

Check if canopy can be controlled and landed
If not,
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve

Question 5

Collapsed drogue in-tow during main deployment

Answer 5

Release the RSL
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve

Question 6

Container open before the drogue has been deployed

Answer 6

Deploy the drogue

expect main canopy opening

Question 7

Container open but the drogue cannot be deployed

Answer 7

Release the RSL
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle

*D-Bag no longer in the main tray, bottom flap may not be in its usual position and drogue handle hard to find

Question 8

Cutaway procedure

Answer 8

If time and altitude permit:
Capture legs of student
Request that student:
Arches, 
Head Back, 
Hands on Harness

Question 9

Drogue becomes detached during drogue fall

Answer 9

Locate and pull reserve ripcord handle

Question 10

Drogue entanglement with solo skydiver

Answer 10

Must clear within 10 seconds (altitude permitting),
Release the RSL shackle
Pull the cutaway
Pull drogue release
Ensure release of main risers
Stabilize & track 4-5 seconds (altitude awareness)
Pull Reserve

Question 11

Drogue entanglement with the main canopy

Answer 11

If deployment or controllability is hindered:
Pull Cutaway
Ensure release of main risers
Pull Reserve

Question 12

Drogue extraction difficulty

Answer 12

Use right elbow on the container for leverage
If unable to extract within 10 seconds following exit,
Pull reserve

Question 13

Drogue has been deployed but is not visible behind tandem pair (stuck in burble)

Answer 13

Confirm not seeing the drogue
Confirm it is removed from pocket
Reach above the main pack tray with right hand
Grab drogue bridle/canopy to deploy vigorously
If unsuccessful,
Dip right shoulder to bring air across the pair’s back
If unsuccessful after 10 seconds following exit
Pull reserve

Question 14

Drogue release handle pulled before deploying the drogue

Answer 14

Deploy the drogue immediately

Question 15

Drogue/Bridle assembly detaches upon drogue release

Main canopy still in pack tray

Answer 15

Release the RSL
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle

Question 16

Hard pull on drogue release

Answer 16

Pull each Drogue release separately
Pull both simultaneously
If unsuccessful
Pull reserve

Question 17

Inflated Drogue In Tow

Answer 17

Pull Reserve

Question 18

Instability following exit

Answer 18

Gain stability within 10 seconds,
If unsuccessful
Agressively deploy reserve

Question 19

Line over

Answer 19

Release brakes
Flare with both primary toggles (2 attempts)
If unsuccessful
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle

Question 20

Line twists

Answer 20

Kick out of the line twist
Get student to assist if necessary
If unsuccessful
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle

Question 21

Main deployment bag lock

Answer 21

Locate and grab both emergency handles
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle

Question 22

Non collapsed drogue after main deployment

Answer 22

Evaluate damage on main canopy
If unsafe to land
Pull the breakaway handle
Ensure full release of the main risers
Pull the reserve handle

Question 23

Side Spin

Answer 23

Bring Student’s arms at their hips
Capture student’s legs using your legs
Removing arch of the spines
Achieve stability
Deploy Drogue

Question 24

Side Spin (unable to recover)

Answer 24

Drogue Side Up,
Deploy Drogue
Drogue Side Down,
Pull Reserve

Question 25

Streaming Main Canopy

Answer 25

``` Pull down rear risers simultaneously (2 attempts) If unsuccessful, Pull Cutaway Ensure release of main risers Pull Reserve ```

Question 26

Student grabs both the Tandem Instructor’s arms during drogue fall

Answer 26

By all means, free any arm Depending on side, Follow appropriate procedure

Question 27

Student grabs both TI’s arms during drogue fall

Answer 27

By all means, free any arm Depending on side, Follow appropriate procedure

Question 28

Student grabs the TI’s right arm during drogue fall

Answer 28

Free right arm | Pull Left release at proper altitude

Question 29

Student grabs TI’s left arm during drogue fall

Answer 29

Free left arm Pull Right release at proper altitude (Drogue in tow : Reserve can be activated via RSL shackle)

Question 30

Student grabs TI’s left arm immediately after exit

Answer 30

10 sec to free left arm Deploy Drogue Pull Right release at proper altitude

Question 31

Student grabs TI’s right arm immediately after exit

Answer 31

10 sec to free right arm If unsuccessful, Pull Reserve

Question 32

Tandem pair entanglement with drogue bridle

Answer 32

Clear drogue bridle within 10 sec following exit If unsuccessful, Pull Reserve

Question 33

Tandem pair entanglement with drogue canopy

Answer 33

Clear drogue canopy within 10 sec following exit If unsuccessful, Pull Reserve

Question 34

Tension knots on main canopy

Answer 34

``` Release brakes Counter any turn Aggressive input with risers/controls to clear knots If unsuccessful, Pull Cutaway Ensure release of main risers Pull Reserve ```

Question 35

Two Canopy Out (Bi-Plane)

Answer 35

Leave all brakes stowed | Gentle inputs on rear risers of front canopy to turn

Question 36

Two Canopy Out (Downplane)

Answer 36

Disconnect the RSL (if altitude permits) Pull Cutaway Ensure release of main risers

Question 37

Two Canopy Out (Side-By-Side)

Answer 37

Leave all brakes stowed | Make gentle inputs on rear risers of dominant canopy to turn

Question 38

Un-inflated drogue immediately after drogue deployment

Answer 38

Wait 8 seconds If doesn't inflate, Deploy Main (expect longer trap door and slower main opening)