DZsocial

You want to learn to pack parachutes? It doesn't matter what type of jump you do, the amount of jumps you have or how long before the next load, you better have a correctly packed main parachute in your container before you get on that plane. Here is the best part: the only way you will know for sure if you have a "good" pack job is at 120mph about 15 seconds before impact!

 

There are many ways to pack a main canopy. Every skydivers have their own tricks and methods but no matter what method you prefer there are a few guidelines that everyone should follow. Packing a parachute is an art where consistency is key.

Packing Methods

Here are the three main methods used to pack a square parachute:

Flat packing / Side packing

Easy to learn, this method has the lowest malfunction rate but is more time consuming.

1. Step 1 - prepare canopy and check lines
   1. Lay the parachute flat on the ground, with the container facing down and the lines straight
   2. Bring slider all the way to the top of the risers
   3. Stand between the risers and face your canopy. With the front riser lines in one hand and the rear riser lines in the other hand, walk towards the canopy. Each steering line should have its own slot between two of your finger. The lines must have tension and no twists. Lay the canopy flat on the ground
   4. From the very top of the canopy, count and ground the packing tabs by the nose (front) and do the same for the tail (rear). For a 9 cell canopy there should be 9 packing tabs by the front and 9 by the rear.
   5. Check the lines as they should be clearly grouped and have tension
2. Step 2 - Fold canopy
   1. Fold the nose in
   2. While keeping tension on the lines, put B lines on top of A lines, then put C lines on top of A/B lines and finally D lines on top of A/B/C lines
   3. Set the brakes
   4. Clear stabilizers
   5. Flake the tail to one side and split it in the center
   6. Bring the slider up to the canopy - be careful with the lines. The slider go underneath the folded stabilizers
   7. Grab the center of the tail (where the warning sign usually is) and wrap it around the slider and the rest of the canopy
3. Step 3 - In the bag
   1. Make 2 S-folds with the canopy while keeping tension on the lines
   2. Put the folded canopy in its bag
   3. Pull the bridle out of the bag through the grommet. Make sure there is no fabric through the grommet
   4. Stow the lines with the rubber bands. Make sure the bag doesn't rotate and that the lines are tight. Leave at least 2 inches of lines after each rubber band.
4. Step 4 - Close the container
   1. Place bag in container with no rotation of the bag
   2. Lines should be at the bottom of the container
   3. Stow the risers
   4. Close your container (see manufacturer's instructions)

Pro packing

Pro (Proper Ram-Air Orientation) packing starts standing up with flaking the canopy before placing it on the ground.

1. Step 1 - prepare canopy and check lines
   1. Set the brakes
   2. Stand between the risers and face your canopy. With the front riser lines in one hand and the rear riser lines in the other hand, walk towards the canopy. Each steering line should have its own slot between two of your finger. The lines must have tension and no twists. Give it a shake to settle lines.
2. Step 2 - Fold canopy
   1. Put the lines together and place them on your shoulder on hold them all in one hand.
   2. Grab the front (leading) edge with one hand and pull each cell all the way out. Make sure you have the correct number of cells, then put all them all between your knees.
   3. Pull out the stabilizer on each end cell. Starting from the leading edge, pull out the fabric that is between each line.
   4. Put your hands between A and B lines on one side and pull the fabric out to the side. Repeat with the other side.
   5. Do the same things between B and C lines, then between C and D lines on each side.
   6. Grab the tail of the canopy in its middle and place the edge on the lines just above the slider grommets.
   7. Grab the cells that where in between your legs. Leave the middle one, pick up all the others on one side and roll them in toward the middle.
   8. Connect both edges of the tails and roll them to completely wrap the whole canopy inside its tail.
   9. Place your canopy on the floor while making sure the lines stay straight.
3. Step 3 - In the bag
   1. Make the canopy into a flattened cylindrical shape.
   2. Make 2 S-folds with the canopy while keeping tension on the lines
   3. Put the folded canopy in its bag
   4. Pull the bridle out of the bag through the grommet. Make sure there is no fabric through the grommet
   5. Stow the lines with the rubber bands. Make sure the bag doesn't rotate and that the lines are tight. Leave at least 2 inches of lines after each rubber band.
4. Step 4 - Close the container
   1. Place bag in container with no rotation of the bag
   2. Lines should be at the bottom of the container
   3. Stow the risers
   4. Close your container (see manufacturer's instructions)

Psycho packing

The difference between psycho packing and pro packing is in the way to put the canopy in the bag and how a half turn is induced in the lines.

Basic Guidelines

The most important point to remember when packing a canopy is to control and keep tension on the lines at all time. With flat packing the lines are always controlled but with Pro packing the transition from standing up to placing the canopy on the ground may loosen the line tension.