round canopy. By running these four lines from the canopy  to the connector links, the rigger can make a quick check  of straightness. If the rigger was the last person to pack the  parachute, he or she may feel this is sufficient to ensure  continuity. However, most riggers do a full check of all the  lines, even on their own pack jobs. questions. Using the inspection checklist ensures that after  an interruption, the rigger is able to continue at the proper  spot without missing anything. This checklist is divided into  seven sections that make it usable for all types of parachute  assemblies. It includes an area for counting the tools at the  beginning and end of the inspection and packing procedure.  This ensures that no tools are overlooked or left in the  parachute. While this may sound implausible to some, it has  happened over the years, sometimes with fatal consequences. If a rigger finds lines out of sequence or the canopy is inside  out, it becomes necessary to remove any twists, tangles, or  turns. There are two things to remember when encountering  this situation. First, if the parachute was originally straight  and the entanglement occurred from handling, it is possible  to untangle the parachute without disconnecting anything.  Second, if the parachute was assembled incorrectly in the  first place, it is virtually impossible to straighten it without  disassembling it. These two scenarios become particularly  acute when the rigger is brought a parachute for repacking  and it was assembled incorrectly. At first, the rigger assumes  it to be correct, but when a correct continuity cannot be done,  it becomes very frustrating, and the rigger may spend an  excessive amount of time trying to straighten the canopy.  The rigger should always start at the top or apex end of the  canopy. Make sure that the top gore with the data panel is  facing up. Follow the gore to the apex so that the upper lateral  band is on the outside. Attach the apex to the upper tension  The first thing the rigger should check is the continuity of  the canopy to make sure it is straight. Do so by laying the  system on the table as if the wearer were laying face down,  head toward the canopy. (On some models, such as military  seat parachutes, it may be face down with the feet towards the  canopy.) Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  Ensure that the canopy is right side out (i.e., the data panel  faces out) and the gore numbers are readable on the outside.  Attach the required tension devices and apply light tension.  Standing at the canopy, split the riser line groups and grasp  the two gores that separate them. The top panel should have  line number 1 and the last line of the sequence depending  on the number of lines on the canopy. Starting with number  1, the lines will run in sequence counterclockwise around  the canopy.  [Figure 5-6]  The four lines attached to these  two gores comprise the standard “four-line check” for a  Straightening the Canopy Round Canopies and Pilot Emergency Systems 24-foot two-link canopies 24-foot four-link canopies 26-foot conical canopies 28-foot canopies 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13  6 5 4 3 2 1  7  8  9  10  11  12  7 6 5 4 3 2 1  8 9 10 11 12 13 14 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 15 16 17 18 19 20 21  24 23 22 21 20 19  13 14 15 16 17 18 5  4  3  2  1  6 7 8 9 10 11  22 21 20 19 18  12 13 14 15 16 17 Figure 5-6.  Line continuity chart. 5-7