Static line

Military static line jump, from the rear of a C-130 Hercules

Deployment bag and permanently sewn 15-foot (4.6 m) static line assembly from military field manual for static line parachuting

A static line is a fixed cord attached to a large, stable object. It is used for safety in construction and for low jumps and training in parachuting.

Use in parachuting

Static lines are used in order to make sure that a parachute is deployed immediately after leaving the plane, regardless of actions taken or not taken by the parachutist. However the parachutist must adopt and maintain a suitable body position throughout deployment to minimise the chances of a parachute malfunction. This method of parachute deployment is commonly used in several ways:

• Training student skydivers^[1]
• BASE jumping
• Military paratroopers jumping from very low altitudes (400+ feet or 122+ meters)^[2]

Static line jumping carries risk of injury^[3] that, according to one study, doubles when performed in combat.^[4]

For training students in civilian operations, modifications to existing static line equipment may be made to simplify operations. One such modification is to attach the deployment bag to the parachute instead of the static line, which also requires some modification to allow the static line to detach, typically a Velcro fastener. This leaves much less material "in the wind" behind the plane after the jumper has left; this isn't a problem for larger cargo aircraft used in military jumping, but presents a major issue for smaller aircraft used in civilian operations. This modification also results in a somewhat slower opening, which softens the opening shock at the cost of altitude, a minor concern for jumpers exiting at 2,800 ft (850 m).

Use in construction

In construction, a static line is a safety measure consisting of a cable race fixed to a roof at intervals to which a safety harness may be tethered.

References

External links

• What is Static Line Training? from DZsocial.com
• Static Line Monthly publication since 1947 for, by and about paratroopers, glidertroopers, air assault troopers.
• Core Photography Specialising in static line and freefall skydive photography
• ArmyParatrooper.org Unofficial headquarters of military Paratroopers, past and present.
• The European Military Parachuting Association