Packing tips wanted

[aquaflamz 0]

I just bought my first rig. The main is a Zero-P Sabre 170. MAN, THAT FABRIC IS FREAKIN SLICK! Your hands stick to it cuz they are sweaty from all the effort put in to managing the canopy. Does anyone have some tips on how to "tame" the canopy a bit so it will "obey?" After it is rolled under and laying in that straight tube shape, I've found laying on it slowly pushes the air out. It becomes very flat but only for a few seconds! (Starting to get mad at this point!) S-folding the canopy is the "fun" part! What can I do to help ease the packing process?

[sid 1]

try this
www.packingparachutes.com/techniques_tips/greed.htm

Pete Draper,

Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

[riggerrob 643]

I use a variation on Sid's technique, with more knee action.
Once I have to air squeezed out, I put my knees 1/4 of the way up the canopy.
Fold most of canopy onto lap and press it there with my forearm.
Drag d/bag under my knees so that I am clamping canopy to d-bag to floor with my knees.
Then I do Sid's first fold and shove it into the top of the d-bag.
Fold top third of canopy and shove in d-bag.
Shove slider and bottom of canopy into d-bag the same way Sid recommends.

[lowie 0]

I can sympathise with you because I'm in the same boat. I to have a new 170 ZP main and it's my first go at packing.

I find if I try and squeeze every last molecule of air out and roll the top before I start the S fold I have a small chance in hell of getting it into the bag.

Anyway here's my advice - get a slight lady diver to show you. Last w/e I had more luck with bagging it as I was shown by small feamle jumper to wrap the skirt around and rolling it together underneath before trying to squeeze more air out - (dont know if I've explained that very well). Previously the guys who had demo'd had packed the thing using extreme violence so it was interesting watching someone who could only rely on skill. Worked for me