How To Pack a Parachute

Is there any greater thrill than jumping out of an airplane?It's probably not.Skydiving is exciting but also safe.Pack your parachute so it opens up when you need it.To do that, you need to untangle the lines, the canopy sections are separated, and the parachute is folded properly.You should always work with an experienced professional to make sure you do it right, but the basics of properly packing a parachute aren't as complicated as you might think.

Step 1: The canopy should be on the ground.

The backpack is attached to the canopy by a series of lines.Place the backpack on the ground.Lay the canopy as flat as you can on the ground.There may be some air in the canopy, but it is fine right now.

Step 2: The brake lines connect to the straps.

Brake lines connect the canopy to the straps of the backpack.To hold the lines apart, use your fingers.One line can be laid over your middle and index finger.It's easier to remove tangles if the lines are separated.

Step 3: Walk toward the canopy and hold the lines.

Pick up the lines and keep them together in your hands.Walk toward the canopy to untangle and untwist the lines.If you need to untwist the lines, take your time and pause.

Step 4: The lines should not be tangled at the end.

When you get to the canopy, look for the small rectangular piece of fabric known as the sliders.You can see the lines connected to the canopy by pulling it back.To untangle the lines, run your hands through them.The way air flows through the chute is controlled by the sliders.

Step 5: Place the lines on your shoulder.

Stand either to the right or left near the canopy.Take the untangled lines and put them into a bundle.You can easily access the canopy if you lay the bundle over one shoulder.

Step 6: Make sure the 9 cells don't get tangled.

A cell is a small section of the canopy.Use your hands to separate and count the cells.It is important to count and separate the cells because they can tangle or fold into the canopy.Some parachutes have more cells than others.

Step 7: If you want to shake out the fabric, hold one side of the canopy.

The canopy won't unfurl if the left or right side of the canopy is touched.To loosen the fabric, shake it back and forth.The canopy's fabric is separated by shaking.

Step 8: To hold the canopy, place the nose between the legs.

The side facing your body is the nose of the parachute.Put the nose of the chute between your legs and pinch your knees to hold it steady.The nose was lined with the canopy.

Step 9: Break the fabric between the A-line groups.

There are two lines to the left and right of the nose.The canopy opens up correctly if the panels or cells of the parachute are separated.Keeping the lines over your shoulder, slide your hand down into the space between lines and fluff to untangle the fabric.Move it to the cell next to it.Work your way around the canopy, fluffing and peeling the material.The folds that affect how the parachute opens can be removed by wrinkling.

Step 10: Spread the slider out by bringing it down as far as you can.

Pull the slider down the lines and push it into the canopy as far as you can.Spread it out so it fits in the space between the lines.Some people call it quartering because of the way it's spread out.

Step 11: Bring the center seam of the tail up to your lines.

The rear of the canopy is called thetail.With the lines still over your shoulder, reach down and grab the center seam of the tail.Attach your lines to the canopy.To hold the tail against the lines, use 1 hand.

Step 12: Wrap the bundle around the tail.

Keeping the center seam of the tail held against the lines, use your hand to wrap the canopy around the bundle.Wrap the other side around the back using your hand.Line up both sides.It should look like a bundle.

Step 13: Make sure the edges of the tail are not undone.

Pinch the edges of the tail together with your fingers.The edges should be rolled over 3-4 times so that they don't come undone.

Step 14: The edges of the tail should be on the ground.

Hold the lines with one hand and support the bottom of the canopy with the other.The canopy should be laid down on the ground so the edges of the tail can be rolled up.Don't flop the canopy down.It shouldn't come undone or get tangled up if you are as gentle as you can be.

Step 15: Put your knees and forearms on the canopy.

To hold it securely, kneel down on the canopy where it connects to the lines.If you lean your forearm on the canopy, you can push out air.

Step 16: At a time, slide your forearms up the canopy.

Press down on your arm and slide up the canopy to release the air.Push out air with your forearms if you Tuck under any fabric that comes out.You should not remove your weight from the canopy.You should keep pressing on the fabric with your knees and forearms.

Step 17: Press it down with your knees when you bring the tail end up.

Take the bottom of the canopy where the lines connect to it and fold it over.Press out the air with your knees when you press down on top of the fold.

Step 18: Pull the top of the canopy towards you and then over itself.

Keeping your weight on the canopy, reach up and grab the top.You can press out the air by folding the canopy down towards you.A tight bundle of fabric is what the canopy should be.

Step 19: Pull the bag over the side of the canopy that's folded.

Go over the corner of the canopy with the parachute bag.If you can, push the material into the corner of the bag.

Step 20: Pull the bag over with your knees if you want to control the fabric.

Put pressure on the canopy with your knees.Pull the bag over the material and push the canopy into it.

Step 21: The rubber band should be close to the grommet if you press on the bag.

There are metal rings on the bag.The rubber bands should be closer to the grommets if you push down on the bag.If the rubber bands are stretched too far, they can break.

Step 22: Hold the rubber band through the center grommet.

Go to the center and find the rubber band.Hold the rubber band on the other side of the grommet with your fingers.

Step 23: Wrap the rubber band around the lines.

Keeping the lines in a bundle, gather a 1.5– 2.5 in section at the top of them, where they connect to the parachute in the bag.Wrap the rubber band over the small bundle of lines.

Step 24: Additional stows can be made by using the remaining rubber bands.

Push another rubber band through the grommet and hold it.Wrap it around another 1.5– 2.5 inches of the lines.Attach the rubber bands with similar sections of the lines until the parachute is securely closed.The rubber bands will separate from the stowed lines when the parachute deploys.