Paracord Fail

**digrat** · 08-21-2011, 16:47

Let me begin this post by saying that I have learned my lesson, and won't do it again.

Also, sorry for no pics, but I think you'll get the idea.

So I've got a Hammock Bliss that I've been using for the last year and have been loving it. Shortly after I got it, I swapped out the stock suspension with a line of paracord (this is the oops part

), overhand-knot loops on either end, one end wrapped around the hammock the other end around two descender rings. I use Harbor Freight tiedown straps for tree huggers.

I've been out at least a dozen times, bringing my hammock on day hikes and overnights, including several nights at Scout camp. My most recent hike included my 11-year-old son; I have one large Tyvek tarp, and the night called for rain so I pitched my hammock over his so that we could both be covered.

I went back and forth as to whether to pitch him over me since he's lighter and suspension failure would be less catastrophic, but I also didn't want him waking me up in the middle of the night to help him out of the hammock to relieve himself...

So last week, I take the kids to the park and figure I'd bring my hammock and read while they played. I ended up with a pretty sweet setup from two fenceposts at a bend in the fence. Not 5 minutes into my hang, the paracord at the head end of the hammock popped and I ended up on the ground. I ended up sacrificing my paracord ridgeline and tying a LOOP this time (not just a single line) to hold until I could get some real suspension line. Unfortunately, 5 minutes later, the foot line popped too! I used the rest of the ridgeline to hold me though the rest of the afternoon.

FYI: I'm 6'4" tall and about 200lbs

The next day, I popped over to the climbing shop and pick up some 2000lb climbing line and have replaced the paracord in my suspension.

Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks, "It can't happen to me." I escaped for a while, but calamity postponed has a habit of catching up.

On a bright note, that last hike was with 3 people I converted to hammocks. The 4th and 5th fellas just asked me yesterday whether or not Hennessy hammocks were okay.

**dandeman** · 08-21-2011, 16:56

haha thats so true...ive been there myself!
-Dan

**gunner76** · 08-21-2011, 17:12

There are two type of hangers...those who have fallen and those that will fall

**Rain Man** · 08-21-2011, 17:58

Originally Posted by gunner76

There are two type of hangers...those who have fallen and those that will fall

And some proof of that--

another current paracord fail thread

That stuff is dangerous.

Rain Man

.

**BigTurtle** · 08-21-2011, 18:04

hey brother i hear ya loud and clear i just had the exact thing happen 2 night ago as i was using just paracord/550 cord with my skeeter beater pro and i lasted 4 nights and on the 5th it broke twice droping me 3 foot on the end of my spine TWICE IN A ROW Sir dutch is helping me out and everyone is schooling me on what and how to hang so dont feel too bad i OOPS big too lol

**Dblcorona** · 08-21-2011, 18:13

Sorry to hear. But it isn't the first time, won't be the last time.

Not that the climbing line is going to break on you, but that kind of line is designed to stretch. That's the nature of climbing line. I would recommend getting some whoopie slings. No stretch. Heck, send me a pm and I'll send you a set.

**digrat** · 08-21-2011, 20:18

At least when I fell it was less than 6 inches! I'll count myself lucky!

**Catavarie** · 08-21-2011, 22:45

Yeah that paracord is great, just not for hanging from. Glad it happened when you were low to the ground and not hanging over your son. I got super worried when you mentioned hanging over him on paracord.

Just be sure and get your converts on proper suspensions.

**timabababaluka** · 08-21-2011, 23:04

Yup! Paracord is awesome, but makes for some pretty exciting (read as painful) suspension. On my first hang I used paracord quadrupled up. It kept me off the ground... for the first three hours--stretched until my posterior became one with terra firma. Then I found this forum and mule tape, which was great. Then whoopie slings, which is a little coil of heaven. I would definitely take dblcorona's generous offer on those slings

. Super strong, and easily adjustable--what's not to love?