A ripcord is a part of a skydiving harness-container system; a handle attached to a steel cable ending in a closing pin. The pin keeps the container closed and keeps the spring-loaded pilot chute

Pilot chute

A pilot chute is a small auxiliary parachute used to deploy the main or reserve parachute. The pilot chute is connected to the deployment bag containing the parachute by a bridle. On modern skydiving rigs three types of pilot chutes can be found:...

 inside. When the ripcord is pulled, the container is opened and the pilot chute is released, opening the parachute. On tandem

Tandem skydiving

Tandem skydiving or tandem parachuting refers to a type of skydiving where a student skydiver is connected via a harness to a tandem instructor. The instructor guides the student through the whole jump from exit through freefall, piloting the canopy, and landing. The student needs only minimal...

 systems the ripcord releases the 3-ring release system

3-ring release system

The 3-ring release system is a parachute component that is widely used by sport skydivers to attach the two risers of a main parachute to the harness that bears the load under the parachute....

anchoring the bridle to the harness-container, allowing the parachute to open.