windcatcher 0 #1 Posted November 8, 2004 okay so get this, I have been observing a few packers at my dz, trying to watch how they go through all the steps to pro pack a canopy. I always get confused when it comes to separating the lines, flaking the canopy, then rolling it, tucking it, etc. Anybody wanna fly down to Oklahoma to spend some good long hours teaching me??? On a more serious note, how good are those "How to Pack Like A Pro" and "To avoid this, pack like this" videos in showing a newbie how to pack? I need to learn very soon, so any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated and welcomed. Sarah Mother to the cutest little thing in the world... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2fat2fly 0 #2 November 8, 2004 I used "Pack like a Pro" after I got a friend to walk me through everything a few times. I don't learn well from video but it was worth it to get the reinforcement from the vid as I practiced. That being said, I've probably only packed two of my last fifteen jumps. Now my idea of efficient packing is getting the reputation of tipping well.I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #3 November 8, 2004 i found this on the net for you....... How to Pack Like a Pro • Pack one room at a time. Label each carton with its destination (kids' bedroom; garage; storage, etc.) before you seal it. • Make sure you have enough wardrobe boxes. You really don't want to fold all of your hanger clothes (and then iron them after you unpack!) • Pack what you need least, first. (i.e., if you move in the spring, pack your winter clothing first). Pack heavy items (anchors, gold bullion, etc.) in small boxes, and linens and towels in medium sized boxes. • Mark all boxes, designating room and box number. Make a carton identification log to show the number of boxes packed per room, and the total number of cartons packed. • Start packing well ahead of the move so you can pack a couple of cartons a day. • Be sure to have plenty of "filling" material available. • Be sure that the bottoms of all your cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents. Packing tape or gummed tape holds more securely than does masking tape. Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving a lot easier. • Always stack packed boxes as close as possible to where the movers will park the truck. • Looking for Packaging Supplies? Boxes, bubble wrap, newsprint and tape? joking aside, ask an instructor, you do not learn this sort of thing on the internet. it is your life you are talking about. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
windcatcher 0 #4 November 8, 2004 ha ha funny funny. I know I can't learn it on the internet, I am just wondering what the most efficient ways are of learning to pack. You have the visual aspects, the hand-on part, I am just not sure how I am going to be able to ingrain the different parts of packing the canopy. Packing videos must be of some use, I just wanted an opinion on how effectively they can help. Btw, I am trying to learn from an actual packer, and not just another fellow jumper who trash packs their canopy right before their load. Mother to the cutest little thing in the world... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #5 November 8, 2004 Quote Now my idea of efficient packing is getting the reputation of tipping well. How you doin? I love getting tipped at the end of the day. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #6 November 8, 2004 thats good to hear. the best way is is to learn from an instructor, rigger, or paid packer. I have never watched the videos but here are some clicky's you can look at. First though, do make sure you know how to pack and then use these as a refresher if needed. http://www.google.com/search?q=pro+packing+parachute&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 http://www.skydivetheranch.com/propack.htm .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #7 November 8, 2004 I'm not sure about packing videos - I find it hard to translate from a 60cm 2D screen to the 3D ball of nylon and string in front of me. Looking at people packing did nothing for me until I'd been taught to pack. Then I could (sorta) understand what was going on, and I was able to remind myself of the bits that had slipped my mind. Note: learning to pack will be a frustrating process. Work through it - it's worth it in the end Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 2fat2fly 0 #8 November 8, 2004 QuoteHow you doin? I love getting tipped at the end of the day. Great, now I'm set for next year's WFFC-Would you like your tips in cash, jello shots, or a combo of the two?I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites windcatcher 0 #9 November 8, 2004 bigway: thanks for the clicky's! I'll definitely check them out. and bob.dino, hey, I WILL stick with it.I am not going to be one of those skydivers who don't know how to pack ( to me it's an important part of the sport) thanks for the suggestions everyone! Mother to the cutest little thing in the world... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunshine 2 #10 November 8, 2004 Cash or jump tickets. Or just buy me a 4wheeler. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bigway 4 #11 November 8, 2004 having the money to pay a packer is more important to me .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites windcatcher 0 #12 November 8, 2004 hmm, I think I know what I need to do. I'll just hafta bribe one of the guys w/ pizza or beer, have them set aside some time to just show me, not rush anything,,,just be gentle and patient. PM's are great for discovering ways to bribe skydivers ( thanks Bob!) Mother to the cutest little thing in the world... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnMitchell 16 #13 November 8, 2004 Have you tried flat packing? That's the kind where you lay it out on the ground on it's side. It's a little slower, but you don't have to juggle armfuls of nylon and try to figure out where you are. You can then sort through it, step by step. I'm guessing your type canopy is amenable to it, and I'm sure someone knows how to flat pack at your DZ. Once you get comforable with that and get to know the canopy parts better, then you can try pro packing again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bigway 4 #14 November 8, 2004 I learnt flat packing first and think everyone should learn this way before moving to pro packing. When you flat pack you get a good understanding of all your lines. What you need to do is put some money aside instead of money for pizza, and pay an instructor at your dz to do a packing course with you. This is one of the most important things of skydiving and it is well worth the money and the time. If you learn how to pack properly you might be able to make the money back in the next summer by packing on weekends. Learn properly, do not take the easy way out to learn things when it comes to skydiving. I know you are joking around, but really, do learn how to pack properly. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MarkM 0 #15 November 8, 2004 Here's what you do. Plop down your canopy in the middle of a bunch of packing skydivers and start to pack like you don't know what you're doing. I mean, look down at the canopy and scratch your head, swear a lot, give up and restart multiple times, struggle and fail to get it into the bag and so on. Pretty soon you'll have people showing you just what to do. If this doesn't work, try a different DZ. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bigway 4 #16 November 8, 2004 That would have been my second choice That way works as well. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites CanuckInUSA 0 #17 November 8, 2004 I have eight words of advice for you: "It is a parachute, it wants to open". Okay, don't take me too seriously. But unless you're packing a pocket rocket cross-braced canopy (or doing a BASE jump or packing a reserve), packing need not be a big ordeal. Yes get somebody to show you how to pro-pack. But don't worry about being super neat. Just follow the fundamentals: 1) Fabric to the outside, lines to the inside. 2) Lines taunt. 3) Pilot Chute cocked. 4) Slider all the way up. "It's a parachute, it wants to open". Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites slug 1 #18 November 8, 2004 A babe having to pay a male to show her how to pack Packers pack a bunch of rigs/day but a jumper who packs his own should be good enough or you want to be a packer. BTW there are lots of different ways to pack almost all of them will work. The more people you ask the more confused you'll get.Try and stick with the same person as much as possiable unless you don't like your openings. R.I.P. BTW you can have my origional video Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites wingnut 0 #19 November 8, 2004 it may sound suprising, but i learned to pack from aerohio's packing video and that is it........ never had anybody teach me other than the video... it is a well made video though....... course that was like 5 years ago and since then i'v learned so much more..... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Frenchy68 0 #20 November 8, 2004 Learned to pack off a hook (part of the A license requirement). Then went to a boogie where no hooks where to be found. I asked a friend to teach me to pro-pack, which took a full 15 minutes! I think for us newbies, the trick is to stick with it and keep packing. It used to take me 1.5 hour, now I'm down to about 15 minutes (well, back up to 25 minutes thanks to a brand spanking new slippery canopy). Keep packing, and ask someone when not sure... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites StevePhelps 0 #21 November 8, 2004 Quoteha ha funny funny. Btw, I am trying to learn from an actual packer, and not just another fellow jumper who trash packs their canopy right before their load. Hey! I represent that remark! the old one-eyed sky pirate! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #22 November 8, 2004 Quoteha ha funny funny. I know I can't learn it on the internet, I am just wondering what the most efficient ways are of learning to pack. You have the visual aspects, the hand-on part, I am just not sure how I am going to be able to ingrain the different parts of packing the canopy. Packing videos must be of some use, I just wanted an opinion on how effectively they can help. Btw, I am trying to learn from an actual packer, and not just another fellow jumper who trash packs their canopy right before their load. There's a lot of info here that you can print out http://www.packingparachutes.com/packing_course/html/packing_index.htmPete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
2fat2fly 0 #8 November 8, 2004 QuoteHow you doin? I love getting tipped at the end of the day. Great, now I'm set for next year's WFFC-Would you like your tips in cash, jello shots, or a combo of the two?I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
windcatcher 0 #9 November 8, 2004 bigway: thanks for the clicky's! I'll definitely check them out. and bob.dino, hey, I WILL stick with it.I am not going to be one of those skydivers who don't know how to pack ( to me it's an important part of the sport) thanks for the suggestions everyone! Mother to the cutest little thing in the world... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #10 November 8, 2004 Cash or jump tickets. Or just buy me a 4wheeler. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #11 November 8, 2004 having the money to pay a packer is more important to me .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
windcatcher 0 #12 November 8, 2004 hmm, I think I know what I need to do. I'll just hafta bribe one of the guys w/ pizza or beer, have them set aside some time to just show me, not rush anything,,,just be gentle and patient. PM's are great for discovering ways to bribe skydivers ( thanks Bob!) Mother to the cutest little thing in the world... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #13 November 8, 2004 Have you tried flat packing? That's the kind where you lay it out on the ground on it's side. It's a little slower, but you don't have to juggle armfuls of nylon and try to figure out where you are. You can then sort through it, step by step. I'm guessing your type canopy is amenable to it, and I'm sure someone knows how to flat pack at your DZ. Once you get comforable with that and get to know the canopy parts better, then you can try pro packing again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #14 November 8, 2004 I learnt flat packing first and think everyone should learn this way before moving to pro packing. When you flat pack you get a good understanding of all your lines. What you need to do is put some money aside instead of money for pizza, and pay an instructor at your dz to do a packing course with you. This is one of the most important things of skydiving and it is well worth the money and the time. If you learn how to pack properly you might be able to make the money back in the next summer by packing on weekends. Learn properly, do not take the easy way out to learn things when it comes to skydiving. I know you are joking around, but really, do learn how to pack properly. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #15 November 8, 2004 Here's what you do. Plop down your canopy in the middle of a bunch of packing skydivers and start to pack like you don't know what you're doing. I mean, look down at the canopy and scratch your head, swear a lot, give up and restart multiple times, struggle and fail to get it into the bag and so on. Pretty soon you'll have people showing you just what to do. If this doesn't work, try a different DZ. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #16 November 8, 2004 That would have been my second choice That way works as well. .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #17 November 8, 2004 I have eight words of advice for you: "It is a parachute, it wants to open". Okay, don't take me too seriously. But unless you're packing a pocket rocket cross-braced canopy (or doing a BASE jump or packing a reserve), packing need not be a big ordeal. Yes get somebody to show you how to pro-pack. But don't worry about being super neat. Just follow the fundamentals: 1) Fabric to the outside, lines to the inside. 2) Lines taunt. 3) Pilot Chute cocked. 4) Slider all the way up. "It's a parachute, it wants to open". Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #18 November 8, 2004 A babe having to pay a male to show her how to pack Packers pack a bunch of rigs/day but a jumper who packs his own should be good enough or you want to be a packer. BTW there are lots of different ways to pack almost all of them will work. The more people you ask the more confused you'll get.Try and stick with the same person as much as possiable unless you don't like your openings. R.I.P. BTW you can have my origional video Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #19 November 8, 2004 it may sound suprising, but i learned to pack from aerohio's packing video and that is it........ never had anybody teach me other than the video... it is a well made video though....... course that was like 5 years ago and since then i'v learned so much more..... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #20 November 8, 2004 Learned to pack off a hook (part of the A license requirement). Then went to a boogie where no hooks where to be found. I asked a friend to teach me to pro-pack, which took a full 15 minutes! I think for us newbies, the trick is to stick with it and keep packing. It used to take me 1.5 hour, now I'm down to about 15 minutes (well, back up to 25 minutes thanks to a brand spanking new slippery canopy). Keep packing, and ask someone when not sure... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePhelps 0 #21 November 8, 2004 Quoteha ha funny funny. Btw, I am trying to learn from an actual packer, and not just another fellow jumper who trash packs their canopy right before their load. Hey! I represent that remark! the old one-eyed sky pirate! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #22 November 8, 2004 Quoteha ha funny funny. I know I can't learn it on the internet, I am just wondering what the most efficient ways are of learning to pack. You have the visual aspects, the hand-on part, I am just not sure how I am going to be able to ingrain the different parts of packing the canopy. Packing videos must be of some use, I just wanted an opinion on how effectively they can help. Btw, I am trying to learn from an actual packer, and not just another fellow jumper who trash packs their canopy right before their load. There's a lot of info here that you can print out http://www.packingparachutes.com/packing_course/html/packing_index.htmPete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
