ARMY TM 10-1670-281-23&P
AIR FORCE T.O. 13C5-32-2
NAVY NAVAIR 13-1-32
NOTE
Any equipment made of cotton fabric immersed in salt water is to be condemned.
See paragraph 2-13e for equipment disposition.
c. Parachute Assemblies Immersed in Salt Water. If the parachute, or any of its components, has been
immersed in salt water for a period in excess of 24 hours it will be condemned. Additionally, if the parachute,
or any of its nylon components, has been immersed in salt water for a period of less than 24 hours, but cannot
be rinsed within 48 hours after recovery, R will also be condemned. However, Ht the cited time limitations can
be met, then immediately upon recovery, suspend or elevate the parachute assembly in a shaded area and
allow it to drain for at least 5 minutes. Do not attempt to wring the fabric or the suspension lines. Within 48
hours after recovery, under the supervision of a qualified parachute rigger (43E), rinse the recovered parachute
assembly as follows:
(1) Place the parachute assembly into a large water-tight container filled with a suitable amount of fresh,
clean water to cover the assembly.
NOTE
If the sat-water-soaked parachute assembly is too large to be placed into a rinsing
container, then the rinsing process will be effected by applying fresh, clean water
to the assembly using a hose.
(2) Agitate the container contents by hand for 5 minutes.
(3) Remove the parachute assembly from the container and suspend or elevate it in a shaded area,
allowing a 5-minute drainage period. Do not attempt to wring the fabric or the suspension lines.
(4) Repeat the procedures in steps (1) through (3), above, twice, using fresh, clean water for each rinse.
(5) After the third rinse, allow the parachute assembly to drain thoroughly. Upon completion of draining,
dry the assembly in accordance with procedures in e., below.
(6) When dried, perform a technical/rigger-type inspection of the parachute assembly. Corroded metal
components, or corrosion-stained fabrics or suspension lines will be either repaired or replaced as
prescribed by the Maintenance Allocation Chart (MAC) in Appendix B.
(7) Record any repairs, immersion and rinsing in the parachute log record as shown in figures 2-5 and 2-
6.
d. Parachute Assembly Immersed in Fresh Water. Any parachute or its components that has been
immersed in a fresh water lake, river or stream will not require rinsing unless it has been ascertained that the
water is dirty, oily or otherwise contaminated. Procedures for handling a fresh water immersed parachute are
as follows:
(1) Contaminated fresh water. If the parachute, or its components, has been immersed in contaminated
fresh water, rinse and dry (see c., above) and, if applicable, repair.
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