Skydiving Gear: Understanding Parachute Sizes

Parachute sizes in skydiving are determined by a jumper's weight, experience level, and desired canopy performance. Understanding these dimensions is essential for a safe deployment and a controlled landing.

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The Size of Skydiving Parachutes

Published Jul,08 2011 | By Linda Tarr Kent

Skydiving is an equipment-intensive sport. You need a jumpsuit, helmet and -- of course -- a parachute. The canopy size of a skydiving parachute will largely determine how fast you descend once you jump from the airplane. In general, the larger the canopy, the slower you'll descend and the softer your landing will be.

Linda Tarr Kent is a reporter and editor with more than 20 years experience at Gannett Company Inc., The McClatchy Company, Sound Publishing Inc., Mach Publishing, MomFit The Movement and other companies. Her area of expertise is health and fitness. She is a Bosu fitness and stand-up paddle surfing instructor. Kent holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Washington State University.