What is the purpose of changing body position in the event of a pilot chute hesitation?

Changing body position during a pilot chute hesitation serves to modify airflow over the back of the skydiver. When a pilot chute hesitates, it can impede the deployment of the main parachute, and adjusting your position can enhance airflow, allowing the pilot chute to deploy more effectively. This adjustment can help the pilot chute to inflate properly and free itself if it has become entangled or stuck. By creating a more favorable airflow, the skydiver increases the chances of successful parachute deployment, which is crucial for ensuring a safe descent.

In contrast, gaining altitude is not a feasible option during freefall, as there is no way to ascend without a functional parachute. Signaling for help is also not practical in the immediate moment; the primary focus must be on resolving the situation at hand. Preparing for a cutaway involves a different set of actions and decisions, generally reserved for scenarios where the main parachute is malfunctioning, and the focus is on managing that situation rather than addressing a hesitating pilot chute.