Lightening and metal hardware

[Hornca]

I was asking around for old knitting needles to cut into toggles, when someone mentioned to me “aren't you worried about adding metal to your hammock because of lightening?” Well, I wasn't until now, thanks a lot! In all seriousness, should that be a concern of mine? Should I change out the aluminum carabineer/aluminum ring connecting the continues loop to the whoopie sling for a wooden toggle and use a wooden toggle on the Marlin Spike Hitch on the straps?

[mudsocks]

If lightening is going to strike the area you are hanging in a few tiny bits of metal are unlikely to make any difference.

[Hornca]

If lightening is going to strike the area you are hanging in a few tiny bits of metal are unlikely to make any difference.

Yeah, that's kind of what I thought. Thank you.

[scottpash]

I think you are over-reacting a bit

Yes lightning can be dangerous and you should seek shelter when it is strong, but I believe that most of the time your campground will have tall trees that the lightning might strike before it seeks out a mere 2-3 inch metal toggle

we always have to look out for severe weather
and take precautions but statistically you have more of a chance of getting hurt in your car on the way to your campground

BE AWARE OF THE WEATHER, PLAN AHEAD and most of all HAVE FUN
Respect Mother Nature Don't Fear Her

[gmcttr]

I never worry about keys, coins and knives in my pockets, so I'm not worried about toggles. The 40'-100' wet lightning rods I hang from?.....that can be a concern.

[Thumbs]

Metal does not attract lightning. It will always take the path of least resistance.
If you are hanging from a tree, and it's wet, it will follow the wet bark around the tree.

[Dead Man]

I was asking around for old knitting needles to cut into toggles, when someone mentioned to me “aren't you worried about adding metal to your hammock because of lightening?” Well, I wasn't until now, thanks a lot! In all seriousness, should that be a concern of mine? Should I change out the aluminum carabineer/aluminum ring connecting the continues loop to the whoopie sling for a wooden toggle and use a wooden toggle on the Marlin Spike Hitch on the straps?

I was hanging in the woods a couple weeks back and we had a major thunderstorm come up about an hour after I went to sleep. I saw the flash and then immediately heard the boom sizzle. It was really close. I thought this very thought as I watched the flashes through my cuben tarp and heard the thunder for about the next 10 minutes....until.....I feel right back to sleep and all was forgotten.

Not promoting being foolhardy. Just saying what the others have said. Odds are in your favor and you'll more than likely be okay.

[FLRider]

I never worry about keys, coins and knives in my pockets, so I'm not worried about toggles. The 40'-100' wet lightning rods I hang from?.....that can be a concern.

What gmcttr said.

Avoid hanging from emergent trees, if you can. That'll do more'n worrying about little metal bits in your suspension.

[pause]

[genixia]

Unless your carabiner is attached to the ground by a copper wire there is nothing to worry about.