Packing Style

[Bigwallmaster 0]

What's up folks.

I'm new to this forum, so please don't grill me if these questions have been asked a hundred times before. I have 0 BASE jumps and 200+ skydives. I read this forum and "Blinc" as much as I can, trying to soak up alot more knowledge before committing myself to BASE. I am very interested in BASE, but up to this point the one thing I am most confused about is BASE packing and overall different packing styles. How common is a "pro pack' style of packing in BASE? Or do most BASE jumpers flat pack? It would be cool to get some feedback on what style most of you out there prefer?

Cheers,
J.P.

------------------------------------------------------------
"I heart the day that I walk into a bar and order a glass of beer and the bartender returns with an icy cold pitcher and I say "I ordered a glass of beer," and he replies "friend, this is the glass!"

[3ringheathen 0]

Pro packing Vs Flat packing is really a matter of personal preference. In BASE you should be cleaning up and detailing the folds and line groups after the initial pack job anyway.

I usually start with a pro pack and clean it up after laying it down. Others flat pack, but it's the end result that matters.

You really ought to seek out a mentor and/or invest the time and money in a formal BASE course.
-Josh

If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me*
*Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams.

[TomAiello 26]

I usually flat pack. I'd guess that around 60% of jumpers pro-pack as their preferred method.

The CR video teaches a pro-pack, the BR video teaches a flat pack. It's pretty much up to personal choice (or available space--I sometimes pro-pack in narrow hallways, and once flat packed in a low attic that probably wouldn't have been high enough for a pro-pack).

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[leroydb 0]

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once flat packed in a low attic that probably wouldn't have been high enough for a pro-pack).

one word.... Dedication.....

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[pullhigh 0]

Very new to base, so take it with a grain of salt, but from what I have seen, everyone PRO packs. Not necessarily standing up, but the flat packs I have seen, are more of a modified PRO pack. I believe BR even calls it a PRO pack in there manual, you just start out differently, with the canopy on it's side, but once you start flaking, it rapidly turns into a PRO pack alignement. Remember that PRO is an acronym for Proper Ram air Orientation, or something along those lines, it has nothing to do with being a Pre, or looking cool and standing up to pack. Everyone I've watched pack does something differetn, mostly in the micro reefing or the nose, but all end up with alomost the exact same result.

As far as skydiving rigs, do many people even still teach flat packing? That's how I learned, but was quickly re-taught to flat pack. I know our DZ does'nt even mention anything other than PRO packing anymore.

Ganja

[TomAiello 26]

The BASE flat pack is usually called a "Pro-Stack". It's a totally different pack job from a skydiving flat pack (same as a BASE pro-pack is different from a skydiving pro-pack), and more similar to a skydiving reserve flat pack.

Still, in shorthand, as used by most BASE jumpers, it's just called a flat pack.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[Faber 0]

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as skydiving rigs, do many people even still teach flat packing?

In DK skydivestudents are only starting(theese months) to learn propack instead of "student-pack",all over DK.

I start my pack job as a PRO pack then lay it down and start over again by sorting out evrything.Perfect pack to me,and the places i pack

Stay safe
Stefan Faber

[hookitt 1]

You are correct. The end result is a PRO pack. I personally PRO Pack over the shoulder then finish it up on the ground. Some times I PRO pack on the ground for the heck of it. The end results are the same. I haven't seen any one side pack their BASE parachute since way before I started BASE.

Side packing is still taught in many places. I still side pack student and tandem mains, and occasionally my sport parachute for the heck of it.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[Zennie 0]

I'm a "clamper" so I do the flat approach. It helps me get the line groups pre-aligned nicely. Plus every time I try to do the standing method, my pack job always goes to s#!7 when I lay it down.

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[Faber 0]

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my pack job always goes to s#!7 when I lay it down.

thats why you want to fix it as ints on the ground afterwards

Stay safe
Stefan Faber

[hookitt 1]

I'm still using clamps

edit: missed the ing in using.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[nicrussell 0]

Where I learned to skydive they initaially taoght the "flat pack". This allows the student to walk around the pack job, looking at, learning about the canopy, line sets, etc. I believe to be an effective tool, with a transition to the pro pack after full understanding of the flat pack. Youd be suprised how many skydivers do not even know how to pack let alone know the ins and outs of their equipment.

nic

[DexterBase 1]

Wait... so did you write, "I'm still use clamps." ???

oooh you're soooo lucky I didn't catch that before you changed it. hehe...

[Spiderbaby 0]

Was just wondering how you came up with the acronym, Bigwallmaster? Do ya climb! Oh yeah, and I do a hybrid thing where I start flat packing with clamps, and once it's clamped, I put it over my shoulder and pro pack it, AND THEN, lay it on the ground and neaten it up. As the great Earl Redfern used to say though, "BASE parachutes are like women, if you show em too much attention, They'll F##k you over every time".

"It takes a big man to cry, it takes an even bigger man to make that big man cry"

[hookitt 1]

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Wait... so did you write, "I'm still use clamps." ???

...

No ... I wrote: I'm still us clamps.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[basehoundsam 0]

Did I mention....... Spanky got pushed.... and his pack job still opened up facing the right way.....

[BASE813 0]

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I'm still using clamps

I used to pack without started clamps, saw no need! - now i always use them coz the way i see it - why the fuck not if it makes wrestling the crocodile easier!

[kevin922 0]

I saw tom pack at bridge day.. i lost count of how many clamps he was using.. something like 12 or 14?
:)

i use 4.

[TomAiello 26]

I use 12, if I have them.

I recommend learning to pack without clamps, because you never know when you will need to pack, and not have them handy.

Given a choice, I'll use as many tools as possible, though. My standard pack job uses two stakes, four bungee tensioners, and twelve clamps. I've been experimenting with another two clamps on the stabilizers, too!

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[BASE813 0]

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two stakes, four bungee tensioners, and twelve clamps. I've been experimenting with another two clamps on the stabilizers, too!

2 stakes? is that in both leg straps?
can you tell me "generally" where the hell you use so many clamps?
also how do you use the tensioners and what do you attach them to? the packing tab points?

I use 1 at the risers to group the lines - i at the line / canopy meet to control the lines - and 4 just to control after micro reefing and folding to hold it - I cant imagine where i would use / need more and why "at the stabalisers" would be beneficial??

Each to their own! and even if it has no function if it makes you happy at the exit point - then do it!! hehehe

seriously though - would be interested!

[TomAiello 26]

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two stakes, four bungee tensioners, and twelve clamps. I've been experimenting with another two clamps on the stabilizers, too!

Errr. I forgot to mention that I also use two pull up cords.

Roughly, it's one clamp on each set of packing tabs (4 clamps), a stake through the three rings (1 stake), tie the three rings together with a pullup (I've had them slip apart with just the stake--1 pullup), one stake above the canopy (1 stake, 2 total), 4 tensioners from the stake above the canopy to the clamps on the packing tabs (4 tensioners), one pull up cord around the lines right at the canopy (1 pull up cord, 2 total), and four clamps down each side of the canopy (8 clamps, 12 total).

The real difference is that I don't remove the clamps on the top skin and re-use them on the sides. Instead, I leave them on and keep them under tension (to maintain line tension until I start stowing the lines in the tail pocket). The extra clamps on the side just make it easier to 'S' fold without squashing the pack job out of shape.

The thing I really like about packing this way is that I can pack in 30mph winds (and I have) or walk away and leave my pack job for 20 minutes, or even roll the pack job up and drive 1000 miles with it before finishing (I've done that, too).

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[BASE813 0]

have PM'd you a question............

[460 0]

For the newbies out there... Use of so many tools dramatically increases the potential for leaving a tool in the pack job. If one decides to use tools, PLEASE COUNT THEM, PLEASE LABEL THE TOOLS WITH LONG ORANGE PULLUP CORDS, ETC. If you use clamps, USE LARGE ONES SO THEY CAN BE EASILY DETECTED.

NEVER USE A CLAMPING TOOL OR PULLUP CORD TOOL ON YOU PILOT CHUTE. IT ASKS FOR DISASTER AND MAY HAVE ALREADY LED TO ONE BASE FATALITY IN THE RECENT PAST.

I left a clamp on my A lines once back in 98 prior to jumping a building. Fortunately, I found it before my jump by counting my tools.

I prefer 2 to 4 clamps if I have the luxury, but I can also flat pro-pack without any tools. I learned this simply by working in a loft under the supervision of a master rigger. Interestingly, he packed squares on a packing table. Frequently, my pack job can be neater without any tools.

FYI, the flat pro-pack I believe was originally done/invented by Moe Villetto.

Looks like a death sandwich without the bread - Steve Deadman Morrell, BASE 174

[BASE813 0]

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FYI, the flat pro-pack I believe was originally done/invented by Moe Villetto

I have heard of someone else that claims this! UK BASE "low low number"

As for tools etc! I agree! I used to tie my risers together with a pull up at the links - I borrowed a pull up from someone and packed! - they asked me for their pull up and I could not find it - I searched and searched - I then checked my rig and found it still tied around my risers!!!!! - My next jumps was a 220ft freefall A - thank the lord he asked me for it and I felt bad in not giving it back!!! that could have been interesting!!!

I now am so anal about anything I use for packing as a simple "lost thought" can and will cause a fucking interesting visual or pain!

[Faber 0]

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I used to pack without started clamps, saw no need!

i started to pack whith clambs,now i use them(thanks Blair and Tom) if i has them there,if not i still pack beautiful.
I had some problems that the plastic felt off (the clambs)inside the packjob...which caused me to many times to do a repack

Stay safe
Stefan Faber