high winds where the parachutist may wish to cutaway the  main canopy to prevent being dragged. If the lanyard were not  released, the reserve would be deployed as the main is cutaway. The routing of the ripcord cable from the handle to the pin  determines where the lanyard connects to the cable. Most  RSL attachments connect with the ripcord cable either at the  yoke area or just above the ripcord pin. Generally, there is a  double ring installation where the cable end of the lanyard  is located.  [Figure 2-55]  On this particular installation, the  connection is at the shoulder yoke area. desirable to locate the ring as close to the lower end as possible  so that the pivot arc of the rise does not load the lanyard.  This allows the riser end of the lanyard end to be as short as  possible. If there is excess lanyard, it is difficult to stow, and  it is possible for the lanyard to become snagged and unseated.  It is important that the correct risers with attachment ring be  installed. While many risers have a ring installation, not all  are installed at the correct location. Consequently, the lanyard  length will not match the factory dimensions. This can result  in premature reserve activation when the main is deployed. These two components are interactive. That is, the design of  the container directly affects the design of the lanyard. Once  the two above locations are determined, then the routing of  the lanyard can be completed. It was originally thought that  the lanyard should have a long length to allow acceleration  during activation to pull the ripcord cable. This has not proven  to be true and most manufacturers keep their lanyards as short  as possible to prevent snagging and easier stowing. The Racer  cross-connector/lanyard is so sized as to not pull the reserve  ripcord until both risers have separated Most RSL lanyard designs have a snap shackle or similar release  device mounted at the riser end of the lanyard.  [Figure 2-54] This allows the user to disconnect the lanyard under certain  circumstances. The most common one involves landing in  In the past, a Velcro $^{®}$ pathway was used for routing the  lanyard. This was either on the shoulder yoke or the reserve  riser. Experience has shown that the use of Velcro $^{®}$ generally  results in high wear and eventual damage to the webbing.  [Figure 2-56]  On this design, the lanyard is stiffened with a  short piece of coated cable and stowed in two pockets located  on the yoke area.  [Figure 2-57]  It is secure and has no wear  points. The ripcord end of the lanyard is routed to the dual  guide ring attachment location and the ripcord cable routed  through the rings.  [Figure 2-58]  The ripcord cable is then  routed to the reserve closing loop.  Figure 2-59  shows the RSL  lanyard and ripcord cable at the moment of riser extension and  just as the cable is loaded. A point that the rigger should be  2-23 Figure 2-54.  Snap shackle on RSL lanyard. Figure 2-53.  Main riser RSL ring attachment. Figure 2-55.  Double-ring container installation. Ripcord Cable Routing  RSL Lanyard and Container Mount 