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  1. #1
    Senior Member SweetLou's Avatar
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    Best Suspension for Arthritic Hands?

    I've been looking at a bunch of different suspension systems and trying to figure which would be best for me. I have arthritis so somethings can be difficult/painful, especially in the mornings. My left hand is almost useless in the mornings. My left thumb, index and middle finger are affected and I can't really pinch anything with my left hand. My right hand is much better. Sometimes my right thumb acts up in the mornings, but not nearly as bad.

    Now that you got my situation, I was wondering if anybody has any ideas on which suspension system would be best for me to use? I'm looking for something with ease of adjustability. Hopefully something that doesn't require a lot of knots. Or one with knots that I don't have to untie.

    Weight is not so much a concern, I'm a bicycle tourer and the bike carries the weight, not me.

    It seems to me, that some kind of suspension with webbing and rings around the tree and a rope coming from the hammock using a garda hitch would work pretty well. I have not used a garda hitch (not much of knot knowledge here, I have to learn it all) but it seems like that is very easy to adjust, and when weight is removed, easy to disassemble. Is this correct?

    Any other ideas?

  2. #2
    Senior Member chezrad's Avatar
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    After having dealt with knots and rope, webbing suspensions and finally a whoopie sling setup I think that the whoopie sling setup would be the easiest to do / undo. Other than the marlin spike hitch for the toggle, there are no other knots to mess with. I am able to put a marlin spike hitch in the webbing easily with gloves on. The marlin spike comes apart with a simple tug on the toggle. Adjustability is fast, easy and secure. I don't think you will find an easier setup. That's my 2 cents worth anyhow. Cheers.

  3. #3
    Peter_pan's Avatar
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    Arthritic conditions can differ widely among individuals so a single best answer is again not realistic.

    That said... I believe webbing answers that utilize cinch buckles or the JRB Triglide are quick, easy, non binding, and tree friendly... Essientially if you can buckle your pants these approaches are no brainers.

    Pan
    Ounces to Grams.

    www.jacksrbetter.com ... Largest supplier of camping quilts and under quilts...Home of the Original Nest Under Quilt, and Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock. 800 595 0413

  4. #4
    Senior Member Perkolady's Avatar
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    IMO, webbing with cinch buckles and Dutch clips. No knots do deal with (well, maybe a backup simple slip behind the buckle) or small diameter rope to have to 'pinch'.

  5. #5
    Senior Member oldgringo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Perkolady View Post
    IMO, webbing with cinch buckles and Dutch clips. No knots do deal with (well, maybe a backup simple slip behind the buckle) or small diameter rope to have to 'pinch'.
    My vote.
    8910
    Dave

    "Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self."~~~May Sarton

  6. #6
    Senior Member SweetLou's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chezrad View Post
    After having dealt with knots and rope, webbing suspensions and finally a whoopie sling setup I think that the whoopie sling setup would be the easiest to do / undo. Other than the marlin spike hitch for the toggle, there are no other knots to mess with. I am able to put a marlin spike hitch in the webbing easily with gloves on. The marlin spike comes apart with a simple tug on the toggle. Adjustability is fast, easy and secure. I don't think you will find an easier setup. That's my 2 cents worth anyhow. Cheers.
    You might be correct. I made my first Whoopie Sling tonight and I like it. My hand is hurting pretty good this evening and I found it very easy to adjust.

  7. #7
    Senior Member chezrad's Avatar
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    I hope you find a solution that works for you. Not being able to do what you want to accomplish because of pain is really frustrating. Cheers.

  8. #8
    Senior Member chezrad's Avatar
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    I've had webbing get "hung" in cinch rings and then had to be pinched and pulled out because it was to tight to slip. This was not easy and I don't have any problems with my hands. I've also had slip knots behind rings bind to the point I couldn't easily pull them loose. I'm thinking that with hands that aren't 100% these situations could end up being really frustrating at best. I will grant that maybe there is a webbing out there that no one has had problems with, but if the solution is to find the right combination of equipment so problems will not occur it's pretty certain that Mr. Murphy will rear his ugly head at the worst possible moment. I prefer whoopie slings for simplicity. HYOH. Cheers.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Perkolady's Avatar
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    I've never had any pinching issues with Ed's polypro webbing. I also don't hang my hammock so tight that there isn't some 'give' to be able to work it lose from the hammock end if I needed to...

    Now, 'ring buckles' are a whole different issue. I've had those be stubborn. I switched back to cinch buckles.

  10. #10
    Senior Member oldgringo's Avatar
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    I really (really!) hate to say this, but one of those knotted rope gizmos like Trek Lite sells comes to mind. Or ENO slap straps *shudder*. No knots, buckles, or rings.
    Dave

    "Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self."~~~May Sarton

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