The previous poster's reply should have solved your problem. Anything going through the hole where you put the bungee cord hook that you can apply pressure to in the direction away from the lock while pressing the unlock button will open and re-set the latch. Make sure you pull the latch far enough so that it locks in the "open" position. Pulling on the bungee cord hook should do the trick and then using the hook itself, press against the side of the latch until it locks open.