Cut-away is a skydiving term referring to disconnecting the main parachute from the harness-container in case of a malfunction in preparation for opening the reserve parachute.
The 3-ring release system on parachutes allows a rapid cut-away in the event of an emergency.
Modern skydiving harness-containers have two containers; one for the main parachute, and another one for the reserve.
Variations of the 3-ring release can now be found on practically all sport and military free fall parachutes.
Cutting away with the 3-ring release is done by pulling a handle placed on the main lift web of the harness.