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## Reserve Static Line (RSL) Systems 

A RSL system is a backup device for activating the reserve after a cutaway is performed. It usually consists of a line, webbing, or cable, which connects one or both main risers to the reserve handle, housing, or cable. The most common design used today has a ring through which the reserve ripcord cable is routed. The riser end attaches to a ring on the riser(s) with a snap shackle for quick release capability. When the risers are jettisoned, the lanyard pulls the cable, releasing the ripcord pin(s), and activates the reserve. This results in a minimum loss of altitude during the cutaway procedure. The use of an RSL has saved many lives over the years due to low cutaways. 

Though originally developed in 1964, as the Stevens System, the RSL concept did not become popular until the advent of student piggyback systems and ram-air canopies. Through the use of an RSL system, the student parachutist need only pull the canopy release handle in the event of a partial malfunction, and the main canopy is cutaway and the reserve activates. In 1990, the PIA urged manufacturers to include RSLs as a standard feature on all harness/container systems. Many did and this resulted in an increase of RSL use for several years. 

Conventional (chest mounted) parachute systems utilized a cross-connector at the junction of the riser to the lines of the canopy on each of the front and rear risers. This was so as to maintain drag if one side release before the other. The maximum amount of drag available is required to assure the reserve ripcord activation by the RSL and the release and separation of the off side riser. When applied to the piggy back, these cross connectors would hang up on the bottom of the reserve container preventing separation. Many manufacturers dismissed this need and elected to provide a reserve lanyard that was side sensitive (in that it would activate the reserve if the attached side released and the opposite side did not release). Others moved the lanyard to the base of the riser, which required only one cross connector. This location avoided the possibility of a hang up on the bottom of the reserve and retained the drag integrity. 

In recent years and with the widespread acceptance of newer types of AADs, many parachutists feel that they no longer need an RSL. In reality, both systems complement each other. The AAD functions if the individual does not activate the main parachute. However, it is altitude and rate of descent (ROD) dependent. Below a certain altitude, if the ROD is not met, the AAD will not function. Consequently, if a cutaway is performed below the activation altitude, it may take some time for the descending parachutist to reach the ROD necessary to initiate activation, thereby necessitating rapid manual activation of the reserve. However, if an RSL 

is also installed, it would cause an immediate activation of the reserve as the main parachute disconnects and moves away from the parachutist. 

In the last few years, as canopy design has resulted in smaller and more sensitive canopies, many parachutists have elected not to use an RSL. The rationale is that in a violently spinning malfunction, which some of these highly loaded canopies are prone to do, it is preferable to cutaway and regain stability prior to pulling the reserve. This reduces the chance of an entanglement with the deploying reserve. While this scenario has happened, it is a rare occurrence. Statistics show that many lives have been saved by using an RSL. 

## RSL Designs 

There are four primary design configurations of RSLs in use today and are listed below: 

1. A single-side RSL where the lanyard is attached to only one main riser, usually the left side. [Figure 2-49] Only the one side is required to release to activate the system. This is the most common design in use today due to its simplicity. 

<img src='content_image/541268.jpg'>

2. A dual side RSL where both main risers are connected with a cross connector which is the RSL lanyard. [Figure 2-50A and  B]  Both risers need to release for the system to activate. 

3. The LOR system developed by the French. This incorporates two lanyards, one from each riser, that are attached to individual curved pins that secure the reserve container with a dual locking loop. [Figure 2-51] Both risers must be released for the system to function. 

