A SKYDIVER plunged almost 2km to the ground - and lived.

The man, 45, lost control of his parachute and plummeted to the ground at the Lower Light drop zone north of Adelaide, about 3.30pm on Saturday.

Adelaide Tandem Skydiving safety officer Graeme Bransford said under normal procedures, if the primary chute fails, students would be expected to release the reserve chute by 2000ft.

"He did have a reserve chute and ample height for release," he said.

This was the student's first solo jump after completing 11 hours of theory training and practice drills with professional skydivers in the air and on the ground.

He received a score of 100 per cent for his theory test at the completion of his training. "That particular jump was from about 10,000 feet and he initially had two instructors jump with him," Mr Bransford said.

"When he was free falling he gave the instructors every indication he had completed the necessary drills effectively. He then indicated he was about to pull the ripcord and so the instructors moved away."

Mr Bransford said soon after the parachute opened the man began spiralling out of control.

According to witnesses the parachute dipped sharply to the right and then began spinning. The spiralling continued for about 1.5km until the man hit the ground.

"He continued to fall quite rapidly but I'm unable to say why that happened," Mr Bransford said.

He said it appeared the man did not follow correct emergency procedure, which involved getting rid of the malfunctioning chute and releasing the reserve chute.

The man was taken from the George Quigley Airfield to the Royal Adelaide Hospital by helicopter.

He suffered multiple fractures to his legs and injuries to his chest and remains in a critical condition.

Skydiving continued as normal at the airfield yesterday with dozens of skydivers taking the plunge.

"I guess that's kind of why you do it," first-time skydiver David Wright said. "There's that little bit of risk something might happen which gives you even more of a rush."

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