What is the primary purpose of the AAD (Automatic Activation Device) in skydiving?

The primary purpose of the Automatic Activation Device (AAD) in skydiving is to automatically deploy the parachute in case of a freefall emergency. The AAD is a critical safety mechanism designed to protect skydivers who may become incapacitated or unable to deploy their parachute manually due to various circumstances, such as a loss of consciousness or an equipment malfunction.

When the skydiver reaches a pre-determined altitude and a specific rate of descent that indicates a potential emergency situation, the AAD activates and deploys the parachute automatically. This ensures that even in a situation where a skydiver is unable to take action themselves, the AAD can prevent a serious accident by deploying the parachute at a safe altitude.

Understanding the role of the AAD underscores its importance in enhancing safety in skydiving. While freefall speed, altitude measurement, and parachute recovery are all relevant aspects of skydiving equipment and techniques, they do not reflect the primary function of the AAD, which is to serve as a backup safety device.