text: Chapter 6
  LOW-VELOCITY AIRDROP
  6-8. Low-velocity airdrops are used for sensitive equipment and personnel. The parachute slows the
  rate of the descent to prevent damage to equipment or injury to personnel.
  HIGH-VELOCITY AIRDROP
  6-9. High-velocity airdrops are used to deliver certain supply items. The load must be rigged in an
  airdrop container with an energy dissipater attached to its underside and a ring-slot parachute attached to
  the top. The chute stabilizes the load and reduces the rate of fall, ensuring an acceptable landing shock.
  FREE DROP
  6-10. Free drops are used for nonsensitive items only. This type of load has no parachute to stabilize or
  slow its rate of descent. Loads may require special packaging to prevent damage from impact.
  ADDED RISK
  6-11. When determining the suitability of the DZ and considering the method of delivery around
  populated or built-up areas or airfields, the pathfinder also considers the added risk of injury to personnel
  or damage to buildings when using high-velocity or free-drop methods.
  OBSTACLES
  6-12. To ensure a safe airdrop, and to ensure Soldiers can recover and employ airdropped personnel and
  equipment, the ground unit commander should assess the risks of obstacles on the DZ and adjacent areas.
  OBSTACLES TO PERSONNEL
  6-13. This includes anything, natural or manmade, that could harm a parachutist or prevent mission
  accomplishment.
  OBSTACLES TO EQUIPMENT
  6-14. This includes anything, natural or manmade, that could damage or hinder the recovery of
  equipment.
  Trees
  6-15. Trees 35 feet (which is the distance from the top of a personnel parachute to the harness) or higher
  that would impede recovery of personnel or equipment present an obstacle.
  Water
  6-16. Water at least 4 feet deep and 40 feet wide, and within 1,000 meters of any edge of the surveyed
  DZ is an obstacle.
  Power Lines
  6-17. Power lines carrying 50 or more volts can kill a jumper.