What is the recommended course of action during the cutaway procedure?

The recommended course of action during the cutaway procedure is to release the main parachute and pull the reserve parachute's handle. This sequence is crucial because the primary goal during a cutaway is to ensure a safe landing by deploying the reserve parachute if the main parachute is not functioning correctly.

When a skydiver experiences a malfunction, simply releasing the main parachute is essential to prevent it from dragging the skydiver down or entangling the reserve deployment. Pulling the reserve parachute's handle promptly after releasing the main chute maximizes the chance of a successful emergency deployment, ensuring the skydiver's safety.

Remaining calm and checking surrounding skydivers is important but does not directly address the immediate threat posed by a malfunctioning parachute. Similarly, attempting to deploy the main chute again is not advisable, as continued attempts to use the malfunctioning parachute can lead to further complications. Checking altitude before making any decisions is also helpful but should not take precedence over executing the cutaway procedure effectively. Prioritizing the release of the main chute and deploying the reserve significantly enhances the safety outcome in emergency situations.