USPA Skydiving B License Practice test

What should you do before making any turns with your parachute?

1. Adjust your harness

2. Check for clear airspace

3. Deploy your reserve parachute

4. Perform a dive check

The correct answer is: Check for clear airspace

Before making any turns with your parachute, it is crucial to check for clear airspace. This step ensures that you are aware of your surroundings and any other skydivers or obstacles that may be in your vicinity. Making turns without verifying that the airspace is clear can lead to collisions, which can have serious consequences. It is essential to maintain situational awareness during the descent. By checking for clear airspace, you can safely execute your turns and avoid any hazards, thereby ensuring a safe landing. Knowing the positions of other skydivers is critical, as you may be in close proximity to them during your descent. While other options like adjusting your harness or performing a dive check may have their importance in different contexts, they do not directly address the immediate need for safety and awareness before maneuvering your parachute. Deploying your reserve parachute, though a vital skill in emergency situations, is not relevant when preparing for turns under normal circumstances. Checking airspace should always be the first action taken to prioritize safety during a skydive.