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Hi there,

I've jumped around one hundred of BASE jumps and during this, I bought a direct bag I played with once (from a forgiving high bridge)
Recently, I used it again from a not at all forgiving bridge and it went well anyway.

You may find my question frightening, because I should know everything before going on, but anyway :
I read sometimes that on Dbag jumps, one had to remove the PC and that's what I did both times, and it went OK.

I can understand this removal as a way to prevent the bridle and the PC from entangeling the canopy during deployment, but this is not enough to convince me.
Shortly said, I don't understand why one has to remove this PC in DBag jumps?

Moreover, I heard some people managed to keep the complete bridle+PC untouched on dbag jumps by folding them appropriatly, stucking them on the top of the canopy and holding them with a small rubber band that pops during deployement.

Thank you for your comments and answers.

What makes you want to leave the PC and bridle attached?


The purpose of the PC and bridle is to open the container and extract the canopy to line stretch.

On a direct bag jump, the container is already opened, and the jumpers motion away from the canopy in the direct bag causes it to reach line stretch. The canopy comes out of the bag at line stretch. It does not need a bridle and PC to do anything.

The only thing the bridle and PC can do there is very marginally reduce the flight efficiency of the canopy (by creating a little extra drag).


The only real danger to leaving the bridle and PC attached is the very small chance of some entanglement. Assuming you carefully manage the PC and bridle, I don't really think that's very likely, so in 99% of cases, it is just not going to matter if you leave the PC/Bridle attached or not. Since there is a very small chance of entanglement, and no disadvantage to removing them, I'd suggest removing them.

Look at a PCA or S/L jump. You need the bridle, but not the PC. However, the PC is used for a back up incase you are dropped by the PCA'er or your S/L breaks before you want it to.

On a DB, the PC isn't going to help you at all if its in the bag. The only way it could help is after the canopy comes out of the bag right? The canopy will only come out of the bag after you hit line stretch right? After you hit line stretch the PC isn't going to help you any way, so why use it? Its like those collaspable PC's they have in skydiving.

If anything he should put the PC on the direct bag in case your DB'er drops him!

that never happens!!!;)

I've known jumpers where people dropped their bag.

edit to remove discussion stemming from a misunderstanding ~TA

The direct bag should always be attached to the object in case it is dropped. I don't think I've ever seen a direct bag that didn't come with a leash to be used for this purpose.

I'm replying to Tom but I'd like to thank each of you that took the time to answer.

(Obviously, my dbag has a bridle I'm using to secure it to the object.)

So thank you Tom: if I understand it all correctly, 1% chance of entanglement would be the only reason why we should remove the PC?
Ok, that sounds good to me.
I buy it.

Thank you.

Off-topic just of sheer curiosity: does it have to be a bag? Can it be a box? Plastic box with handles. $3 D-Box from Walmart! Just brainstorming here.

I've seen both paper and plastic grocery store bags used to direct bag canopies.

I'm sure that's not a manufacturer approved technique.

Is it common practice to get a buddy to hold your pack job over the edge without a d-bag after removing it from your packed rig on your back? or is this a bad idea?

I've honestly never heard of anyone doing that. I've done a couple of Quads, which basically involves someone else (who is not jumping) holding your unpacked canopy and TARDing it for you as you exit, and I know of one very serious injury that resulted from a Quad.

But actually removing it from the pack tray for this purpose? I haven't seen that.

I think we'd have to call that the "African Direct Bag" method.

I'm going to buy a Direct bag, but I still want to try this sometime

Hmm, wonder if it's worthwhile to confuse this thread with the option of the 'dirty ho-bag' ?

Funny how that style of d-bagging never really caught on.

Tom, I misunderstood your post, so I deleted it, and then reposted. I did not intend for it to be re-quoted. The main emphasis regarding DB's is that they should be secured by a bridle, etc. in case they are dropped by the bag holder. Take care, Chris

Back in the day, I was using Levi cutoffs (cheaper than a DB) for Self DBing.
I guess one could say I was BASE jumping by the seat of my pants. Or maybe "BASE jumping is in my jeans"

Take care,
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