Someone recently passed this onto me for a reply, if anybody is still interested.
The PD reserves for base is a thing of the past, but it helped the base jumping gear get where it is today.
Initially, the PD seven cell main was being used, then some folks went to the reserve due to the heavier reinforcing. People often had their rigger install a pilotchute attachment, often of questionable structural design.
The slow rear riser response was one reason for the creation of the Dragon, which was a canopy we used to build for Vertigo. It was PD seven cell trimmed differently, like a Lightning. Over the years, base jumpers kept finding lower objects acceptable, and the slow cell inflation (slider down) of the PD seven cell based canopies were not adequate for this environment. Therefore production of the Dragon was stopped.
Since then, other designs more specific to base have been developed by various companies that have quicker cell inflation with the slider down. If you are only doing very high objects, it may make little difference. However, if you are looking to purchase gear for base, don't bother with converted skydiving gear. It makes more sense to get something base specific, and something that is the best blend of being up to date, but also well proven in the field.
John LeBlanc
