So I hit the ground last night.

**m0244** · 05-31-2015, 15:08

My third time using the current suspension set-up; HH Hyperlite, with DIY whoops attached, dutch hooked to DIY tree straps by a thin amsteel loop.

The knot in the loop was something I got from here I don't recall the name but it was a intricate knot that created a ball shape that was supposed to be self-tightening and bomb proof. About 4 am I woke to the sound of a snap I thought a tree limb had broken or there was someone walking nearby, no sooner than the thought crossed my mind I hit the ground and had the wind knocked out of me.

Luckily, we were hung in a dry sandy creek bed and there wasn't anything around to really hurt a person. I'm going to replace the thin loop with a larger continuous loop.

**Ratdog** · 05-31-2015, 15:19

Glad you're ok.
Glad you didn't hang over anything you weren't willing to land on or higher than you were willing to fall.

Pics of the failure would be interesting.

Sounds like you are talking about a diamond knot perhaps?

The bury part of any splicing is critical but the "snap" sounds is more likely indicative of an actual failure rather than a bury sliding out.

I have loaded up spliced 7/64ths amsteel, including soft shackles using diamond knots, with 400+ lbs for months.

Bottom line, live and learn. If yiu get a chance, post some pics of the failed knot/splice/line. Curious to see what happened.

**Nodust** · 05-31-2015, 15:23

You couldn't have had a better place to fall on. Those surprises at 4am will get your heart pumping.

**m0244** · 05-31-2015, 15:35

I was so tired and peeved that I went back to sleep were I landed but the thud woke up my wife and she came to check on me. We stoked the fire a bit and I retied the knot with a double fisherman's and two half hitches.

Diamond knot looks right, I don't recall the am steel size but it's not 7/64th it's much thinner like 2-3mm i've used it for my tarp ridge line with burry and no issues. From inspection of the rope the knot slipped out it didn't break, the ends were pulled apart through the knot I'll have to admit I was a bit nervous about getting back in but it was much more comfortable than the ground.

Did well with a 30* UGQ quilt and a XS ridgerest pad, but kind of wish I had my under quilt there was a short bit of cold last night.

**m0244** · 05-31-2015, 15:40

The one of the left is the same knot that slipped, the one of the right is how I retied it to get back in the air. I have some 7/64th am steel to replace them with, I was trying to save grams once upon a time when I chose those cords. That and after buying the expensive hammock I wanted a single point of failure that would be predictable and wouldn't be my hammock since I knew it wasn't going to be a tree strap or a whoopie sling that failed. For the record I'm just under 180lbs.

**Ratdog** · 05-31-2015, 16:20

Yep, get some 7/64ths or 1/8" amsteel and carry on.

**WaffleBox** · 05-31-2015, 16:48

Also consider splicing instead of knots.

**njsurfer** · 05-31-2015, 18:44

If you prefer to tie a knot rather than splice join them with a blood knot and be done with it, it wont go anywhere.

Jon
+

**SilvrSurfr** · 05-31-2015, 19:08

Not much point in using Amsteel or any Dyneema-based ropes with knots. They don't hold knots well. Time to splice!

**IRONFISH45** · 05-31-2015, 19:15

Wow, glad you were not injured. I can't think of a better place to fall if you are going have a oops.

I guess your accident will serve as a reminder and warning to other members. Thank you for posting.