What should a jumper do if the deployment bag is extracted but the canopy fails to inflate?

When the deployment bag is extracted but the canopy fails to inflate, the most appropriate course of action is to cut away and deploy the reserve parachute. In this situation, the jumper's first priority is to ensure safety by addressing the malfunction promptly. The act of cutting away the main parachute is a critical skill that allows the jumper to transition to the reserve parachute, which is designed to be the backup system in the event of a primary malfunction.

Jumpers are trained to recognize that even if the deployment has occurred and the canopy is not inflating, the chances of a successful recovery become slim. Instead of attempting to pull the main parachute again or waiting for altitude, which could lead to dangerous situations, the correct response focuses on activating the backup system. Cutting away eliminates the risk of entanglement with the main parachute and enables the jumper to deploy the reserve safely, increasing the likelihood of a successful landing.

While stabilizing the fall and waiting for altitude may seem like a viable option, this does not address the malfunction effectively and could lead to a loss of precious time. Signaling for help from other jumpers is not an immediate solution to an urgent malfunction; during freefall, the priority must be on addressing the parachute issue