What are Deep Brakes and why are they important?

Deep Brake Settings (DBS) refers to setting the canopy's deployment brakes deeper than normal in an effort to control opening surge. There is no question that for BASE jumping it is desirable to pack your canopy in deeper deployment brakes than are generally used in skydiving. DBS on deployment reduce opening surge. This produces cleaner (slider down) openings, allows more time to react to an off-heading opening and effectively lessens the possibility of a line over malfunction. Be aware, however, your parachute may handle very differently while the brakes are stowed in a deeper configuration. It is FAR more hazardous to deploy a canopy with brakes set too deep versus not deep enough. Because this is a very critical setting it is custom installed as a secondary setting on each new ACE / Black Jack based on jumper weight. An ideal DBS will allow the canopy to open with very little forward speed while still being able to sufficiently pressurize. It is best not to set the brakes so deep ...