Extreme survival: top 9 tips on using your hammock correctly

With a hammock, the goal is to create a minimum-impact camping shelter for yourself. Hammocks require no ground leveling, trenching or staking.

Just by employing a tree-friendly suspension system, you can easily fix a sturdy and secure hammock without affecting the natural environment.

The smaller your camping footprint, the less likely you are to impact plants or wildlife.

Here, we share 9 awesome tips for using your hammock correctly, safely and responsibly.

Tip 1: Use tree-saver straps

◆ Choose wide nylon / polyester webbing straps.

◆ This minimizes girdling and damage to the bark and cambium layer.

◆ Never use anything made from a non-tree-friendly material, e.g. plastic zip cords.

◆ Never hammer or screw anything into trees.

Tip 2: Build hammock 200 feet from any water source

◆ Set up your hammock camp at least 200 feet from any water source.

◆ These riparian areas provide unique plant habitats and are significant in soil stabilization.

Tip 3: Look for an established campsite as you can

◆ Look for a pre-existing campsite to set up your hammock.

◆ Good campsites are found, not made, so altering a site is not necessary.

◆ Large hammocking groups should split into smaller groups to prevent unnecessary disturbance.

◆ Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.

Tip 4: Never hang your hammock from dead trees

◆ Don't hang your hammock from dead trees.

◆ You could injure yourself and affect the area around you if the trees were to fall or break.

◆ Even if you choose trees that look alive, check around you for dead branches or fruit that might fall.

Tip 5: Research your local camp regulation

◆ Check with the local government regulations to ensure the area allows hammocks.

◆ Florida state parks, for instance, prohibit hanging hammocks.

Tip 6: Check for hidden hazardous or delicate wildlife

◆ Ideal hammocking trees should be alive, have thick trunks, and have little or no ground cover between them.

◆ Carefully check for hidden hazardous or delicate wildlife, e.g. insect nests or poisonous plants.

◆ Avoid stepping on roots and lichen, or you will slip easily.

Tip 7: Hang your hammock no more than 18 inches high

◆ Hang your hammock no more than 18 inches off the ground to prevent accidents.

◆ This also avoids damage to higher branches.

◆ Hang the hammock from the thickest part of the tree trunk for maximum safety.

Tip 8: Break down your hammock whenever you leave

◆ Take down your hammock whenever you leave your campsite.

◆ This prevents animals or small children from getting tangled up in it.

Tip 9: Leave no trace in your campsite

◆ When you are about to leave, be sure to pack everything up.

◆ Inspect your campsite and surrounding area for anything left behind.

◆ Be sure all trash is packed up and taken with you.

◆ Leave the spot just the way you found it.

We hope the above-mentioned tips are useful. Protect nature and enjoy it!

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