There are many ways to pack a parachute and they all work, it's just that each has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on what kind of canopy you have, and some other factors.

Unfortunately, many experienced skydivers seem to think that the way they pack is the only way to go, and try to force this preference onto the unsuspecting novice skydiver when teaching them how to pack.

Skydiving instructors often lament the fact that novice skydivers are not learning to pack as soon as they should - well, no wonder. The experienced jumpers are all telling them something different! And some are presenting their method of packing as the "best", period.

Well, we don't think that there is a "best" method, period.

Our advice to experienced jumpers? Present as much information as you can about packing without specifying a "best" method. If you show someone how to pack using a specific method, tell them why you prefer that method, but please, don't call it the "best". How do you know it is? Someone told you? Some "expert"? A rigger? Ha! (Even riggers sometimes present their opinions as "facts".)

Our advice to novice skydivers learning to pack? Don't believe everything you are told. Experienced skydivers like to think they know everything. If someone is teaching you to pack, then by all means, do it the way they are teaching you, but learn other methods, too. (You might be shown many ways to pack whether you want to or not!) Decide for yourself the best method of packing for you and the equipment you are using. And read the manufacturer's manual!

Common packing methods

The following describes some of the common packing methods and will assume a normal main canopy with a regular deployment bag. Not included are some of the older methods that did not include a deployment bag, or Canopy Formation Skydiving specific methods, and particularly does not include Tandem canopies.

For complete information on how to pack a parachute by one of these methods you will need a set of packing instructions available from the manufacturer. The photos are included only as a brief overview of the packing method for those of you who may have seen it, but do not know its name.

"Stack" or "Side" packing

This is probably the original method that ParaFlite developed when they started selling a lot of ram-air canopies to skydivers.

Advantages:
• Relatively easy to learn for the novice
• Usually has on heading openings
• Probably the lowest malfunction rate, since you always know where the steering lines are up until the time you place the canopy in the bag, and can control them
Disadvantages:
• Takes more time than some other methods
• More time on knees than some other methods

"Roll" packing

ParaFlite has a set of instructions on how to pack by this method, which has been around for quite a while.

Advantages:
• Seems to be the easiest to learn for the novice
• Seems to be the easiest to control while getting the canopy into the bag, due to the way the final folds are done
Disadvantages:
• May tend to open off heading due to all of the folding in of the canopy
• More time on knees than some other methods

"Pro" packing

This is the method of packing that is started by flaking the canopy standing up.

Advantages:
• Helps keep zero porosity canopies under control while placing them in the bag
• Potentially the most likely to open on heading if the canopy is under control when being placed in the bag
• Less time on knees
Disadvantages:
• Somewhat difficult for a novice to understand and control
• "Line over" malfunctions are possible if the position of the steering lines is not maintained

"Trash packing"

This method has been around a long time, and seems to consist of a rather quick shake of the canopy while standing up and then doing a minimum of folding to get it into the bag. Sort of like a pro pack without the care of flaking the canopy thoroughly. Probably not too many people do this any more because being less careful seemed to produce more malfunctions, and it doesn't take that much more time to do a regular pro pack.

"Psycho Pack" by George Galloway is available on the Precision Aerodynamics web site. It includes some general packing info at the beginning that everyone should read.

Pack Like A Pro is the most widely viewed video in sport skydiving. Includes step-by-step procedures on flat packing and PRO packing square mains. Used by the military and DZs worldwide.
"Pack Like a PRO" video

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