What If A Skydiving Parachute Malfunctions?

TL;DR

A parachute malfunction rarely means that no parachute appeared at all. More often, the main canopy opened but was not stable, controllable, or suitable for landing. Every tandem system therefore includes a separate reserve parachute, and the instructor is trained to evaluate the main canopy and deploy the reserve when necessary. An automatic activation device provides another layer of backup. As a tandem student, your job is simply to remain calm, listen, and follow your instructor’s directions.

If a skydiving parachute does not open properly – or opens but cannot be adequately controlled – the skydiver follows established emergency procedures and deploys the reserve parachute when necessary. Every tandem system contains both a main parachute and a separate reserve, and tandem instructors train extensively to recognize and respond to malfunctions.

It is also important to understand what “parachute failure” usually means. In many cases, the main canopy has deployed but is tangled, damaged, unstable, or otherwise unsuitable for landing. The system’s built-in redundancy allows the instructor to transition to the reserve. Let’s look at how that process works.

What Is a Parachute Malfunction?

A parachute malfunction occurs when the main parachute doesn’t function as intended. This can include situations where it:

• Doesn’t deploy properly
• Deploys only partially
• Opens but isn’t stable
• Can’t be safely steered or landed

There are two general categories:

Total Malfunction

Little or none of the main parachute deploys. Total malfunctions are high-speed and must be addressed swiftly. 

Partial Malfunction

The parachute deploys, but the canopy isn’t suitable for a controlled landing because it’s damaged, tangled, unstable or otherwise uncontrollable. Partial malfunctions are generally lower-speed and give the skydiver more time to figure out if the canopy is landable or not. 

Both situations are anticipated in skydiving equipment design and instructor training.

What If a Parachute Fails During Skydiving?

How many people have survived a parachute not opening? Thousands of skydivers use their reserve parachutes successfully each year, although reserve use does not always mean the main parachute failed to open completely. More often, the main canopy opened but was tangled, damaged, unstable, or otherwise unsuitable for landing.

Immediately after deployment, the skydiver evaluates the main canopy. If it is not suitable for landing, they follow established emergency procedures. In many cases, this involves releasing – or cutting away – the malfunctioning main parachute before deploying the reserve. The skydiver then flies the reserve canopy and prepares for landing.

The same general process applies during a tandem skydive, except the instructor handles every step. Tandem students are not expected or trained to identify a malfunction, cut away the main parachute, or deploy the reserve themselves.

These decisions are made quickly at predetermined altitudes based on extensive training—not improvised in the moment.

Do Skydivers Have a Backup Parachute?

Yes! Every modern skydiving system (including those used for tandem skydivers) contains two completely separate parachutes.

Main Parachute

• Used during a normal skydive
• Designed for controlled flight and landing
• Can be released if it isn’t suitable for landing
• Packed by a parachute packer under direct supervision of an FAA-certificated rigger 

Reserve Parachute

• A completely separate backup canopy
• Packed independently from the main
• Packed by an FAA-certificated parachute rigger
• Repacked according to federal regulations, i.e. inspected and repacked every 180 days (even if it hasn’t been used)

How Does a Tandem Instructor Know If the Parachute Is Working?

After opening, the instructor immediately checks whether the canopy meets the “three S’s.” They ask themselves: Is this canopy SQUARE, STABLE, and STEERABLE? If any one of these doesn’t check out, emergency procedures may be initiated. They’re basically checking if the parachute is:

• Fully inflated
• Stable overhead
• Flying correctly
• Responsive to steering inputs
• Suitable for a safe landing

If the main parachute doesn’t meet these standards, the instructor determines whether the issue can be corrected or whether it’s time to transition to the reserve parachute.

What Is a Parachute Cutaway?

The parachute is not opening … what do you do!? Chop it! (Maybe). A cutaway is the process of releasing a malfunctioning main parachute before deploying the reserve, and many parachute malfunctions call for this. Many first-time jumpers mistakenly think this means there will be no parachute overhead. That’s not the case! 

The reserve parachute remains attached to the tandem harness system and is designed specifically for these situations. Not every malfunction requires the same response, and during a tandem jump, the instructor (not the student) manages every aspect of the emergency procedure.

What Is an Automatic Activation Device?

An automatic activation device (AAD) provides another layer of redundancy in the parachute system. 

An AAD:

• Monitors altitude and descent speed via a pressure system 
• Is designed to activate the reserve deployment system under specific conditions
• Serves as an additional backup
• Is not a replacement for instructor training or emergency procedures

FAA regulations require tandem parachute systems to include an AAD on the reserve system.

What Should a Tandem Student Do During a Parachute Malfunction?

Fortunately, very little! The best thing a tandem student can do is:

• Stay as calm as possible
• Listen carefully to the instructor
• Follow body-position or landing instructions
• Avoid grabbing the instructor’s hands, handles or equipment

Students are never expected to identify a malfunction, cut away the main parachute, or deploy the reserve. That’s entirely the instructor’s responsibility.

How Often Do Parachutes Fail?

The chances of a parachute failing are not high, and it’s important to understand that reserve parachute use is not the same thing as a parachute failing to open. A reserve may be used because the main canopy is tangled, damaged, unstable or otherwise unsuitable for landing – not because no parachute deployed.

Each year, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) produces a fatal and non-fatal incident summary. They also ask their nearly 40,000 members to submit data about their malfunctions via a survey. In 2025, just over 11% of surveyed skydivers reported using their reserve parachute. USPA estimates that reserves were used 4,777 times across approximately 3.47 million skydives that year.

What are the odds of a parachute failing during skydiving? This data puts the rate of reserve use at about 1 in every 726 skydives. As noted, reserve use does not necessarily indicate a total parachute failure.

Can Both Skydiving Parachutes Fail?

Technically, yes, but it’s very rare in solo sport skydiving, and even more rare in tandem skydiving. Modern skydiving systems include two independently packed parachutes, with the reserve maintained under stricter packing requirements than the main.

A complete failure of both parachutes is extraordinarily unusual, but no outdoor adventure activity can be described as risk-free. Equipment standards, instructor training, routine maintenance, and proper emergency procedures all work together to reduce risk.

How Skydive Orange Prepares for Parachute Emergencies

At Skydive Orange, emergency preparedness is built into every tandem skydive. Our instructors maintain current qualifications, regularly review emergency procedures, and use professionally maintained equipment. Every tandem system includes an automatic activation device, and reserve parachutes are packed and maintained by FAA-certificated parachute riggers according to federal requirements.

As a USPA Group Member dropzone, Skydive Orange is committed to following established industry standards so every tandem jump is conducted with professionally maintained equipment and experienced instructors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my parachute doesn’t open during tandem skydiving?

The instructor follows established emergency procedures and deploys the reserve parachute when necessary. Students should remain calm and follow instructions.

Does every skydiver carry two parachutes?

Yes. Sport skydiving systems include both a main parachute and a reserve parachute.

Who deploys the reserve during a tandem skydive?

The tandem instructor operates the parachute system. An AAD provides an additional backup under specific conditions.

Can a parachute open but still malfunction?

Yes. A parachute may deploy but still be tangled, damaged, unstable, or unsuitable for a controlled landing.

Will I know if the reserve parachute is used?

Possibly, although many first-time tandem students may not immediately recognize the difference. The instructor is extensively trained to manage the situation and landing.

Understanding the Risk Before Your First Skydive

Parachute malfunctions are possible, which is why modern tandem skydiving systems are designed with multiple layers of redundancy. A separate reserve parachute, automatic activation device, professionally maintained equipment, and highly trained instructors all exist to prepare for the unlikely event of a main-canopy malfunction.

If questions about equipment or emergency procedures are standing between you and your first jump, we’d be happy to answer them. Please feel free to contact us to learn more before scheduling your adventure!