The reserve parachute in paragliding only serves its purpose if it opens quickly and in the correct axis. This ability to open depends directly on how the canopy has been folded, aired, and packed in its pod. A careless folding or a reserve that has been compressed for too long can slow down deployment at a moment when every second counts.
Why a reserve stuck in its pod puts the pilot in danger
A reserve parachute that remains folded for a long time undergoes a concrete phenomenon: the fabric panels stick together. The closure elastics can partially melt and adhere to the lines. The pod itself can stick to the canopy.
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In a falling situation with autorotation or in parachute configuration, a stuck reserve will take longer to open. The centrifugal force multiplies the apparent weight of the arm and the parachute, further complicating extraction. If the canopy does not deploy properly because the panels remain stuck together, the descent time under a failing reserve becomes dangerously prolonged.
Humidity exacerbates this risk. A harness exposed to sand, rain, or simply stored in a damp garage transmits this moisture to the reserve. Mold spots appear on the fabric and weaken the seams. Mastering the folding of the reserve parachute requires understanding that conditioning and storage are integral parts of the process.
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Control and airing before folding the reserve parachute
Folding does not start with folding. It begins with fully unfolding the canopy on the ground, including the lines. This complete unfolding phase serves three distinct purposes.
- To separate each fabric panel to ensure that none are stuck to their neighbors and that the canopy will deploy without resistance.
- To remove old closure elastics and clean any residue of glue or melted plastic left on the lines by previous elastics.
- To inspect the overall condition of the fabric (tears, mold, discoloration) and the lines (wear, tangles, weakened splices).
Airing is a complete step, not just a bonus. After a water landing or prolonged exposure to humidity, the reserve must be allowed to dry for several days in a dry environment. A few hours of inflation in the sun are not enough to expel the water trapped in the triple hems of the fabric and in the splices of the lines.
Folding the round parachute: tension and symmetry of the panels
The majority of reserves used in paragliding are dome-shaped (round). Their folding follows a precise sequence where each gesture conditions the quality of the opening.
Tensioning the canopy
After inspection, the canopy is laid out on the ground, and the lines are gathered and then tensioned from the attachment point. This tension allows for a clear separation of the panels and helps identify any symmetry defects. Each panel must be individualized before being stacked.
Stacking and accordion folding
The panels are folded one by one towards the center, following the order recommended by the manufacturer. The canopy is then folded in an accordion manner lengthwise, and then packed into the pod of the harness. The lines are neatly coiled, without crossing, to avoid any blockage during extraction.
The closure elastics must be replaced with each repacking. Old elastics lose their elasticity or melt due to heat, which creates exactly the sticking problem described above. Using new elastics suitable for the pod model ensures correct closure tension, neither too tight (difficult opening) nor too loose (accidental deployment).
Repacking yourself or entrusting the folding to a professional workshop
The annual repacking of the reserve is a strong recommendation from the paragliding community. The question remains: should you do it yourself or go through a specialized workshop?
An experienced pilot who has undergone folding training, knows their reserve model, and has a clean, dry space can repack their reserve themselves. Video tutorials from recognized schools detail each gesture with enough precision to guide an autonomous pilot.
Home folding becomes a risk in several specific cases:
- The pilot has never been trained in folding their specific model (a square reserve does not fold like a round one).
- The reserve has been exposed to humidity, sand, or a shock, and requires a technical check before repacking.
- The lines show signs of wear or the seams show early signs of degradation that only a trained eye will detect.
- The pilot has not repacked a reserve in a long time and doubts their technique.
A specialized workshop does not just fold: it checks the fabric, tests the lines, verifies the attachment points, and replaces worn elements. A professional check detects defects invisible to an untrained pilot. The cost of this service remains modest compared to the price of the equipment and, above all, what is at stake.
Frequency of repacking and special cases
Even with very few flights in the year, the reserve must be taken out, aired, and repacked at least once a year. If the harness has been exposed to humidity or sand between flight sessions, an early repacking is necessary, even if the last folding was a few months ago.
For square or triangular reserves, the folding procedure differs significantly from that of a round reserve. Some square models are notoriously more complex to repack. For these models, going through a workshop significantly reduces the risk of error.
Folding the reserve parachute is not an administrative formality. It is a technical gesture that conditions the functioning of a passive safety system, the only one available to the pilot when the main canopy fails to respond. A properly folded, regularly aired reserve, and checked by a professional when necessary remains the best assurance against a failed deployment at low altitude.