Lightning!!!

[Cannibal]

I say we come up with about five good anti-lightning theories and send them to Mythbusters. They've already done a similar deal with body piercings.

Now there’s a good idea! We can send them some t-shirts from the “Hammock Forum Gift Shope” to wear on the show; that should get the word out.

[Ramblinrev]

I will be soon marketing a solution to the dilemma of lightning which should resolve all the issues associated with hammock camping in bad weather. For the sake of protecting my intellectual property and while I proceed with patent formalities let me simply say this is a small but sturdy piece of equipment. It functions much like the retractable antennae on a car. One end of a piece of sturdy wire rises up into the air and the other end moves down to contact the ground making a very effective and safe lightning rod. The downward grounding end also serves as reliable and effective drip strings meaning no more water intot he hammock body.

[CajunHiker]

I just found this, anyone have other verification?
From http://www.us-rope-cable.com/rope.html

Dielectric ability is an important quality of polypropylene rope. Should this rope touch a live electrical wire it will not conduct the electric current. Because polypropylene rope acts as an insulator, electricians and tree workers who work around live electrical wires use polypropylene rope.

[Graybeard]

The last time I got struck by lightening I didn't feel a thing, or at least I don't recall having felt a thing. I did lose a lot of weight, however, and very quickly. Post-strike, I'd guess I weighed about a gram or thereabouts. The real bummer was that having lost that much weight I couldn't carry my hammock out--but then what use does a gram of dust have for a hammock anyway? All things considered, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
b

[canoebie]

Now there’s a good idea! We can send them some t-shirts from the “Hammock Forum Gift Shope” to wear on the show; that should get the word out.

Rubber tree huggers, rubber webs with rubber cinch buckles and rubber figure 9's. Hmmmmmmmm. I think I draw the line at latex hammocks.

[slowhike]

I just try to choose the best site based on all the kind of stuff you guys were talking about, say my prayers & (like someone else said) enjoy the light show until I fall asleep

[Iafte]

When you are hanging between two tree's you act as a resister more than anything. Lightning, like all good currents, takes the path of least resistance. So if it has a choice of going straight to ground or across you then down the other tree, it will go straight down.

Yes, your ears will be ringing and you might be flash blinded for a bit, but you should be ok once you pull the splinters from your whole body.

[TDunc]

We had a little fun conversation about this here.

What is a resister?

[DougTheElder]

I'd rather be flash fried instantly by lightening than to be eaten slowly by a bear. Both events have certain probabilities, though small. Be prepared, be smart, enjoy.

[darkhawk424]

thanks for the replies!

I heard that there is also danger from lightning if it struck near you so it mean if it hit near your tree does it means you will get injured too... cuz having a heart stopping with no one around or everyone around you with their heart stop is a very bad thing to have...