Reserve parachutes usually have a ripcord deployment system but most modern main parachutes used by sports parachutists use a form of hand - deployed pilot chute .
A ripcord deployment system was first designed by Theodore Moscicki .
Reserve parachutes usually have a ripcord deployment system , which was first designed by Theodore Moscicki , but most modern main parachutes used by sports parachutists use a form of hand - deployed pilot chute .