Abstract: An apparatus and method to improve the safety of static line parachute jumping are disclosed. According to the method, a safety device situated on a jumper continuously or periodically senses the distance of the jumper from the jumping platform (e.g. an aircraft). The safety device compares this distance to a predetermined distance threshold. When the distance between the jumper and the jumping platform reaches or exceeds the predetermined distance threshold, the safety device enables the reserve parachute deployment device which automatically deploys the reserve parachute if at such time the jumper's rate-of-descent is at or greater than a predetermined rate-of-descent threshold. Thus, the apparatus enables its reserve parachute deployment portion when the jumper is at least a predetermined distance from the jumping platform.