My life is in your hands.(handling of parachutes )

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Personnel parachutes and parachute equipment have been around for many years. They have impacted the military in many different ways. From the parachute operations conducted during the D-Day landing in World War II, the combat inserts and resupply of the remote outposts in Viet Nam, to the present day resupply missions of ground units in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The parachute is and can be a battlefield capability multiplier.

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As time and technology moves ever so steadily into the future, the once durable and almost indestructible parachute systems have become much more sensitive. The new automatic activating devices, precision cargo airdrop control modules, and exposed metal components all present areas that can be damaged rather easily. Therefore, it is always important to remember that the proper handling of the parachutes by the Jumpers and Parachute Riggers is extremely important. The days of tossing a parachute out of the back of the old 5-ton truck when unloading no longer exist.

Proper handling of life support equipment should be apart of each Jump master brief or at a minimum the equipment Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) should brief all of the participants of the parachute operation on proper handling of the parachutes and parachute equipment. This will help to ensure that the equipment is not being prematurely damaged potentially resulting in a mishap. Each ...