Two corrections: the traditional parachute drops you at about 18 feet per second, which is still pretty fast. Fall off a second story roof and hit the ground a second later, for example. And, I believe parachutes do use rip cords, that are operated remotely or manually. But Dad jumped at the end of a static line. The last I knew, he still had one he actually used. I have seen it, at least. It's very heavily woven fabric. One end is connected to the chute, the other to a bar inside the plane. When you jump and then reach the end of the static line, your body goes from the speed of the plane to a standstill, at least for moment. Hence the training to drop your head to your chest over your folded arms so nothing gets caught when your body is "stopped" for a moment. Sorry for the two mistakes.