Indeed. Don't they have automatic parachute openers? Just asking as I don't have any experience jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft...in flight.
Automatic Activation Devices (AAD) are highly recommended but not required (although some drop zones do). Most responsible parachutists involved in formation skydiving are equipped with modern devices. There are now several to choose from, the standard by which all are judged is called "Cypres", made by Airtec GmbH of Germany.
Generally installed in the reserve container to activate the reserve when two conditions exist (high rate of descent + minimum altitude above ground) they are considered benign and do not have to be managed other than initiation at the start of the jump day (using proper procedures). Regular battery changes and function testing are also required at certain intervals. They shut themselves off after a certain length of time (14 hours IIRC). Inadvertant activations are extremely rare and barely deserve consideration (as to whether they can create a dangerous situation as a result).
They are recommended for precisely what occured in the video. The other jumpers would not likely have known whether the unconcious jumper was equipped with an AAD or not, hence their actions. Other situations can also occur such as incapacitation due to heart attack or other health issues.
I wore one for many years. It reached it's "end of life" date of 12 years and I was required to take it out of service. At the time I was winding down my parachuting career and was no longer engaging in large formation dives so I just deactivated it and continued jumping without it. No worries, for the first 20 years of my jumping life, they didn't exist at all so I was back to where I was.
USPA member since 1971, USPA certified Jump Master and Static Line Instructor, D-20276.
Dan
