VERY new to sport- RSL question

[newdiver 0]

I am very new to skydiving. I only have one jump under my belt but was perusing the SIM manual to get some more info before I continue further. I ran across the following information about what to do if you have two canopies out and am very confused about the purpose of the RSL. Why disconnect it and THEN cut away? Why not just cut away? What exactly does the RSL do? Here's the clip from the SIM that I'm referring to:


Side-by-side procedure 1:

If both canopies are flying without interference or possibility of entanglement and altitude permits:

(1) Disconnect the RSL.

(2) Cut away the main and steer the reserve to a normal landing.

[bmcd308 0]

It is possible that the RSL could snag the reserve when you cut away the main if the main is already deployed, resulting in an entanglement between the cut away main and the reserve.

Brent

----------------------------------
www.jumpelvis.com

[AggieDave 6]

1. You will want to talk to your instructors about this! No matter what anyone says here!

2. Why cut them away, if they're flying correctly? You have your last chance out and there's not another one, there is a chance of entangling your main and reserve if they're flying well and you cutaway.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[newdiver 0]

***
So the RSL is a line going from the main to the reserve? Why does the reserve not automatically deploy when the main is cut then? I'm confused. Sorry for the ignorance.

[nightjumps 1]

You said it was a two-out situation. Now, you've got a catch me cord between the main risers and the reserve cable.

Talk to your instructors. You should be shown this.

[bmcd308 0]

>>So the RSL is a line going from the main to the reserve? Why does the reserve not automatically deploy when the main is cut then?<<

The RSL is a line going from the main RISERS to the RESERVE RIPCORD. Its purpose is to pull on the reserve ripcord (and therefore the reserve pin) when the main is cut away. As the main leaves, the RSL on the main riser pulls on the cable that goes from the reserve handle to the pin, causing the pin to pull out of the reserve closing loop.

Its purpose is to give a quick reserve deployment in the event of a cutaway. It is only a backup, however, and you should never rely on it to pull your reserve pin. Pulling the reserve handle is your job.

It is widely considered very bad form to go in terminal with handles left.

Brent

----------------------------------
www.jumpelvis.com

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

So the RSL is a line going from the main to the reserve? Why does the reserve not automatically deploy when the main is cut then? I'm confused. Sorry for the ignorance.

No reason to be sorry.

Ok, honestly, at this point, you really need to ask one of your instructors to explain it to you and show you how the system works on your rig/any rig, so you'll get a much better understanding of the system.

Honestly, without seeing it, I don't really see how you're going to understand and may make yourself more confused, which will make it harder for you to learn it later.

Hey, never ever feel bad about asking questions, and never hesitate to ask your instructors questions. If they're busy, you may have to wait for the end of the day, but they will take the time to answer them for you!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[JJohnson 0]

Which is of course argued with the thought that the two canopies will not play well together, so cut the main away before they entangle themselves...

From personal experience, when I had two out, they came together nicely...front to back. I let stay there and hung out until we found a nice patch of cornfield to land in. Not a scenario I would ever care to repeat.

JJ

"Call me Darth Balls"

[newdiver 0]

I definitely will ask about this the next time I see my instructors. But in the meantime, let me just try to clear this up in my head.

In a two out situation, and according to the SIM, the reason I would want to disconnect the RSL before cutting away the main (if this is the decision I were to make) would be to avoid having the main risers pull on the already-out reserve, which would likely avoid entanglement. Is that the train of thought behind disconnecting the RSL?

And same thing in other scenarios where the SIM advises to disconnect RSL: for example, if you land on a building. You want to disconnect (according to SIM) because that way your main can be cut away (to avoid dragging you off the building) and won't pull on the reserve.

I'm just typing out loud and trying to understand the reasoning behind the RSL disconnecting. Please correct me if any of the above is incorrect.

By the way, thanks for all the feedback. This website is awesome.

[bmcd308 0]

Read this thread.

----------------------------------
www.jumpelvis.com

[newdiver 0]

Quote

Read this thread.

Will do. Thanks.

Does anyone have a picture of one? I don't believe I know what it looks like.

[carbonezone 0]

Quote

I definitely will ask about this the next time I see my instructors. But in the meantime, let me just try to clear this up in my head.

Hello Jake....You are awesome!!!! It makes me so happy when I hear newbie's becoming an "INFORMED" Skydiver ""Keep Reading""....""Keep Asking Questions""....I agree with Dave here>>> right down any questions you have so you remember them next time your at the DZ. Please dont depend on anyone but your ""INSTRUCTOR"" to give you the correct answer "this same rule is in effect after your off student status". Always ask a rated skydiver for advise.
YOU ROCK
<>
Tami

[HRHSkyPrincess 0]

Aggie Dave is 100% right on target here. ASK YOUR AFF JM about this. Ask for "Show & Tell". It is vital that you understand the RSL and how it functions and in what situations you would disconnect it. You need to see it. :)

*****************
Attitude is everything!