A closing pin is a curved piece of

stainless steel Stainless steel is an alloy of iron that is resistant to rusting and corrosion. It contains at least 11% chromium and may contain elements such as carbon, other nonmetals and metals to obtain other desired properties. Stainless steel's corros ...

metal used in the sport of

skydiving Parachuting, including also skydiving, is a method of transiting from a high point in the atmosphere to the surface of Earth with the aid of gravity, involving the control of speed during the descent using a parachute or parachutes. For ...

. The pin is sewn onto the bridle, which is a 7- to 10-foot-long piece of

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connected to the

pilot chute A pilot chute is a small auxiliary parachute used to deploy the main or reserve parachute. The pilot chute is connected by a bridle to the deployment bag containing the parachute. Pilot chutes are a critical component of all modern skydiving and B ...

. The closing pin passes through the closing loop and in doing so, secures the main container of a skydiving rig, keeping the

parachute A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag or, in a ram-air parachute, aerodynamic lift. A major application is to support people, for recreation or as a safety device for aviators, who ...

from deploying prematurely. When the pilot chute is thrown out by the skydiver and catches air, it pulls the closing pin from the closing loop and allows the main parachute to be released from the container and inflate.

Fashion

Because the closing pin is seen by many skydivers as a life-saving piece of equipment, it has become a symbol of the sport for those who have experienced only one

tandem jump Parachuting, including also skydiving, is a method of transiting from a high point in the Atmosphere of Earth, atmosphere to the surface of Earth with the aid of gravity, involving the control of speed during the descent using a parachut ...

and also for those who have hundreds and thousands of jumps. The closing pin is often worn as a piece of jewelry on necklaces and bracelets. It is also a popular tattoo among skydivers. Used as a fashion accessory, the closing pin serves as a symbol – allowing skydivers to recognize one another and their mutual love of the sport.

References

External links

* * * *{{cite web, url=http://www.uspa.org/AboutSkydiving/SkydivingEquipment/tabid/128/Default.aspx, title=U.S. Parachute Association > About Skydiving > Skydiving Equipment, publisher=uspa.org, accessdate=2014-02-28, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318024637/http://www.uspa.org/AboutSkydiving/SkydivingEquipment/tabid/128/Default.aspx, archive-date=2014-03-18, url-status=dead Parachuting Military sports Air sports