A parachute release is disclosed herein for automatically deploying a parachute without any assistance from the pilot. The release is effective to deploy the parachute within some predetermined short interval of time such as 1/2 to 2 seconds after the pilot has ejected from his aircraft and/or has separated from his seat, provided that he is below some preselected altitude such as 15, 000 feet. In the event the pilot ejects at an altitude which is above this level, the release will not deploy the parachute until the pilot has free-fallen to that preselected level at which time the release will automatically deploy the parachute.