Average Time to Deploy a Parachute in Skydiving: Understanding the Entire Process

Skydiving is an exhilarating activity that requires a blend of skill, courage, and knowledge about the process of deploying a parachute. If you are interested in knowing how long it takes for a skydiver to deploy their parachute, this article will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the average time taken, both in free fall and during the deployment process.

Free Fall Time in Skydiving

On average, skydivers spend approximately 30 to 60 seconds in free fall before their parachute is deployed. The duration of free fall largely depends on the altitude from which the jump is made and the skydiver's position during the fall. Most skydivers jump from an altitude of around 13,000 to 15,000 feet (4,000 to 4,600 meters) and open their parachutes at between 3,500 to 4,000 feet (1,067 to 1,220 meters).

During the initial phase of free fall, the skydiver typically experiences a rapid descent due to terminal velocity. On average, the time required to fall the first 1,000 feet (305 meters) is about 10 seconds. After reaching terminal velocity, the remaining distances can be broken down as follows:

From 4,000 to 3,000 feet (1,220 to 914 meters): 5 seconds From 3,000 to 2,000 feet (914 to 610 meters): 5.5 seconds From 2,000 to 1,000 feet (610 to 305 meters): 5 seconds From 1,000 to 0 feet (305 to 0 meters): 5 seconds

These timings are typical for standard belly-to-earth positions. Free-flyers who adopt head-down or head-up positions typically fall at a slightly faster rate, which can alter the fall time.

For some skydivers, the objective might not be to experience as much free fall; they may choose to exit the aircraft at 4,000 to 5,000 feet and deploy the parachute immediately post-exit. This approach reduces the free fall time almost to zero.

Parachute Deployment Time

Between initiating the deployment of the parachute and having it fully open, it typically takes between 2 and 4 seconds. This interval is crucial for skydivers to ensure that their parachute is fully open before completing their landing. Students in training are often taught to count after initiating the deployment: one-thousand, two-thousand, three-thousand, four-thousand, and then to check if their parachute is fully opened at the end of the count.

Personal experiences with parachute deployment have shown that sometimes the canopy may open too quickly within a second or two. This can result in a quicker deceleration, leading to a shock sensation that might cause some bruising. Such an issue is usually attributed to poor packing of the canopy or using an older canopy. Conversely, there have also been instances where the canopy opens more slowly, taking around 5 to 6 seconds, during which the skydiver might start considering their Plan B in case of a malfunction with the main canopy.

As a seasoned skydiving instructor with over 1,000 jumps under my belt, I can attest to the fact that the standard procedure has evolved. In my early days, the time from pulling the ripcord to full canopy opening was approximately five seconds. This included a momentary 'breathing' period where the canopy would partially open, snap, and then fully inflate as it filled with air.

Conclusion

The time taken for a skydiver to deploy a parachute is influenced by several factors, including altitude and skydiver position. Understanding these factors can help make the experience of skydiving both safer and more enjoyable. Always follow the recommended practices and be prepared for any eventuality during your jump.

Throughout my 20-year career as a skydiving instructor, I personally witnessed the excitement and thrill associated with this sport, regulated to some extent by modern safety measures. While these measures have added layers of caution, the core essence of the experience remains the same—pushing the boundaries of human courage and skill.