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Thread: Hammock Safety

  1. #1
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    Smile Hammock Safety

    A sobering reminder of hammock safety...Decided to test out/show the wife adding the underquilt to the hammock and adjusting it in sector 5-the backyard. Got the hammock w/woopies adjusted; added UQ and tensioned somewhat. Adding the UQ compresses the hammock sides together to a narrow seating band....Comparison-we now have turned our stable flat bottom boat into a narrow sea kayak!! She then attempted to sit onto the hammock like it was a swingset..perpendicular to the long axis...the hammock bunched together even more...creating a sudden "tipping moment" (from physics) resulting in an immediate backflip with shoulders and back of the head impacting the ground.....Scary moment-no pun intended..I initially thought she sat on the quilt not the hammock...not so..all hammock suspension lines were still intact,etc...fortunately soft dirt/no rocks were below the hammock and so far just a bit of soreness of shoulders which appear to have absorbed most of the impact!

    So what have we learned here..? SAFETY FIRST!!

    1. Always check all suspension lines carefully and hammock material for tears,frays,etc.

    2. Hang the hammock in the LOWEST possible position for the safety of the occupant....in this case the hammock was 1 foot off the ground..AND make sure underneath you no dangers exist such as Rocks,etc if at all possible...
    3. Enter the hammock Very Carefully...Gradually increase your weight load to the hammock in case of a failure. I like to straddle the hammock to get in..one foot on either side for balance..may not always be possible.

    4. Have a Large Crash Pad undereath you!! Wouldn't that be NICE! Oh Well.....

    Your thoughts and personal experiences are welcomed and remember-SAFETY FIRST

  2. #2
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    I think this is a great post and should be re posted every so often.

    I am a Baby Boomer who has led an active life, many bones have been broken, torn muscle and that type of thing. I have really worried about what would happen if I fell out of my hammock. I am very careful of rocks and roots. I do wish I had a effective pad to put under the hammock.

    Being a really rotten mom, I have my adult daughter hang my hammock (I am not supposed to have my arms over my shoulders, because I have a computer planted in my left shoulder). She also weighs more than I do. I have her sit in the hammock first, to test for height and holding capacity. We have been doing this for 2 years now, and it works for me.

  3. #3
    Senior Member otter's Avatar
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    Good post always helpful to be reminded.

  4. #4
    Senior Member breyman's Avatar
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    Glad to hear she's okay. Good reminder for all of us, thanks.
    Brian
    Denver, CO
    Father. Husband. Scoutmaster.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Pipsissewa's Avatar
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    Yikes! Hope she's okay and not put off hammocks!

    Always grab BOTH sides of the hammock, spreading them out. Rotate your tush around (I know that's hard to do) and sit down before letting go of the far side.

    I did the same thing the very first time I sat in a hammock without an attached bug net. Was glad no one saw me do it!
    "Pips"
    Mountains have a dreamy way
    Of folding up a noisy day
    In quiet covers, cool and gray.

    ---Leigh Buckner Hanes

    Surely, God could have made a better way to sleep.

    Surely, God never did.

  6. #6
    Senior Member OldRagFreeze's Avatar
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    Score one for pads; a pad would have been holding the hammock open for her.

  7. #7
    TallPaul's Avatar
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    I'm glad everybody is ok.

    I've had a couple times where my daughter was pretty tippy getting in - I had to remind her to go in butt first. She was putting her foot in first.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Loki's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pipsissewa View Post
    Yikes! Hope she's okay and not put off hammocks!

    Always grab BOTH sides of the hammock, spreading them out. Rotate your tush around (I know that's hard to do) and sit down before letting go of the far side.

    I did the same thing the very first time I sat in a hammock without an attached bug net. Was glad no one saw me do it!
    Good advice Pips - I'll always try to remember to say this before anyone tries out a hammock.
    - Loki my videos
    "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
    Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
    The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy,
    while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn." — John Muir


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