Storing Gear

[airricks 0]

Well skydiving is pretty much over for the winter here in Ohio until next spring and curiousity got the best of me. Since my reserve is out of date in a few weeks and I knew I wouldn't be jumping again before then I opened my reserve. I'd never seen it before (just told what was in it) and I'd never seen a reserve container open before so I wanted to see my canopy and how the reserve system worked.

Now that it's opened though, should I leave it unpacked until next March during safety day when I get my repack done? I know I can't officially pack it but it would save space if it was packed. Would it be better to leave the canopy (and my main for that matter) unpacked all winter or should I try to pack the reserve until March? (Obviously putting a big note DO NOT JUMP! or not closing the container) I can barely get my main in the bag though, let alone the reserve freebag with a grommet right in the center!

I guess my question is, what would be the best way to store my rig until next March when I have my repack done? Thanks for any advice!

[brits17 0]

Unless you have prior rigging experience, I think getting the reserve in the freebag, compressing the pilot chute, and closing flaps would be completely foreign (not to mention bitchin hard) to you.

I say its best to store your gear and reserve in a clear plastic bag, seal it up, leave it in the closet until the spring.

But it may be fun to find your reserve manual and a rigger and try packing it up a time or two during the interim... just for fun and practice if you feel like it

_______________________
aerialkinetics.com

[airricks 0]

Right, it is definitely foreign to me so I'll probably end up just putting it in a bag until Spring. I can just see myself trying to get the canopy into that freebag! Would it be better to leave the main unpacked to or does it make any difference? Thanks for the reply.

[PhreeZone 20]

Too bad, I think we have some loads lined up for this weekend at SGC.

Unbag the main and toss it in a garbage bag then toss everything in the closet.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[thepollster 0]

I'd just stuff the canopies in a pillow case or duffel bag if I were you. Plastic bags can trap moisture. And then I'd store the rig in a cool, dry, dark place (inside closet).

Also, good on you for your curiousity about your gear.

[Tenshi 0]

Quote

I'd just stuff the canopies in a pillow case or duffel bag if I were you. Plastic bags can trap moisture.

Word.

[airricks 0]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'll put them in something and store them in the closet for the winter. It was definitely interesting to see how much different the deployment system is for the reserve, especially when my PC flew across the room and hit the wall! I'm glad to see it looks like it is designed to open!

[CygnusX-1 43]

Here is another tip, which I didn't think of (you probably doing this anyway). If you have a spandex BOC, take the pilot chute out when storing the rig. No need having the spandex stretched out all winter when you don't need to.

[airricks 0]

Cool thanks for the tip. I did do that when I unpacked my main, otherwise I wouldn't have thought about that.