Who designed the Cypres?

The cypres was designed by Helmut Cloth, a German skydiver in 1986. After one of his friends died in a skydiving accident by death on impact, he wanted to create an AAD (automatic activation device) that would open the reserve parachute. He had an idea for an AAD that was not like the bulky, heavy and often unreliable AAD’s that were already on the market. He wrote down 13 requirements that the perfect AAD would have:

1. never incorrectly show activation
2. always be reliable
3. accurate beyond all doubt
4. no restrictions to parachute operations
5. autonomous opening technology
6. low maintenance
7. easy to use
8. hidden in the rig
9. no complex rigging work required
10. small in size
11. be light
12. be durable and lasting
13. ease of installation

What is a Cypres?

The name ‘Cypres’ is the acronym of "CYbernetic Parachute RElease System".
It is a small device with a single button, LED and display screen. Once it has been turned on it calibrates continuously, checking air pressure in order to calculate the correct ground level. Once you have turned it on, it stays activated for 14 hours.

Why do we need a Cypres?

The passion that people have for skydiving has spurred them to make it a safer sport by introducing devices to minimise accidents.
The Cypres is there to act as a back up device should something unexpected happen during the skydive.

How does a Cypres work?

The Cypres is constantly checking 7 different criteria. When all these factors are saying ‘yes’ the Cypres activates. A small charge makes the cutter slice through the reserve closure loop, thus releasing the spring loaded pilot chute of the reserve canopy and allowing it to initiate the reserve deployment sequence.

The Cypres activates when the rate of descent is more than 29 mph.
The student Cypres will firstly trigger the reserve to open at approximately 750ft when the speed of descent is the same as freefall.
Secondly, if the rate of descent is between 29 mph and the speed of freefall, the Student Cypres will also activate once it reaches 1000ft.

What maintenance does a Cypres require?

The Cypres 1 model requires battery changes every 2 years or 500 jumps, whichever is sooner. Every 4 years the model is sent to be serviced. The unit has a life of 12 years. This model is no longer available.

The new, improved Cypres 2 does not require battery changes and is waterproof up to 15ft for 15 minutes.

For more information on skydiving visit www.freefalladdicts.com