Usage options

What are the usage possibilities for a hammock, how do I hang it up, and what safety instructions should be considered?

Usage Possibilities

Mexican hammocks can be used in a variety of ways. Apart from using them in the garden or on the terrace, which is what most people think of, hammocks can also be used indoors. Many Mexicans sleep in hammocks throughout their lives instead of beds. Having a hammock indoors is great for taking a short siesta. Suspended between two walls, a hammock provides a wonderful spot to relax. In urban apartments, hammocks can be hung under loft beds with the help of ropes.

Having a hammock on a balcony effectively doubles the usability of an apartment. This might sound exaggerated, but it's truly my personal experience. I had a hammock on my sunny, sheltered balcony in Berlin for years. From April to October, I would walk out through the balcony door and lie in the hammock almost daily for reading, dozing, relaxing, sunbathing, contemplating, taking breaks during my thesis work, listening to music, and countless other occasions. I often regret that my balcony in Hamburg isn't wide enough for a hammock.

Mexican hammocks are also suitable for traveling, camping, or using with a camper van. Compared to many other types of hammocks, they are lightweight and compact, folding up to a size not much bigger than a sweater. Once set up, they provide excellent comfort.

If you wish, you can even store an old VW Beetle in a hammock :-) . This legendary test of the incredible weight-bearing capacity of Mexican hammocks is not a hoax; it actually happened around 50 years ago.

Getting In and Out and Lying in the Hammock

Pay attention to having a secure footing when getting in and out. Spread the hammock with your hands as you lie down, then sit in it. Once you're sitting comfortably, lean back into the hammock, lift your feet up, and get comfortable. When getting up, do the opposite: take your feet out of the hammock, place them securely on the ground, sit up, and then stand up. A little tip: when sitting down, you can first step over the hammock with one leg, then proceed as described. When getting up, you can place one leg to the left of the hammock and the other leg to the right, then grasp the entire hammock in front of you and pull yourself up.

Most Europeans instinctively lie lengthwise in the hammock, but that's not the optimal position. While lying lengthwise is possible with legs overhanging the other side, lying diagonally or crosswise is more comfortable, allowing you to lie almost completely flat. For tall individuals, lying lengthwise may result in lying with both the upper body and legs elevated.

Hanging the Hammock

Avoid hanging the hammock too tightly; it should always have a slight sag. If the hammock forms a banana shape, it's properly hung. The lowest point of the hammock should be at knee or maximum thigh height, allowing easy entry and exit.

Useful Tip: When sitting down, you can also step one leg over the hammock and then proceed as described. When getting up, you can step one leg to the left of the hammock and the other leg to the right, then grasp the entire hammock in front of you and pull yourself up.

Never attach the hammock's loops directly to fixed anchor points such as a hook. Instead, use a movable suspension that can be attached to the fixed anchor points. I recommend using ropes or, for instance, steel carabiners (I personally use carabiners sized 100 or 120). Carabiners have the advantage of allowing easy attachment and detachment when needed.

Ensure a stable and sufficiently strong attachment for the hammock. I do not take responsibility for injuries caused by insufficiently secured hammocks. Do not attach the suspension to weak masonry or drywall. Avoid using hooks that are too small or too short.

When using ropes, make sure they are strong enough. Do not attach the hammock to weak or rotted trees or branches, or to thin branches that might break due to leverage when the hammock is attached far from the trunk.

When attaching suspension points (such as swing hooks) to the ceiling, remember that ceilings often have limited load-bearing capacity and may only have sufficient capacity at specific spots (e.g., ceiling beams).

In case of doubt, consult experts in specialty stores or a handyman for suitable attachment options based on the material where the suspension will be installed.

Safety Guidelines

• Ensure a stable and sufficiently strong attachment for the hammock.
• Regularly inspect the hammock's suspension for possible wear and tear. If using ropes, check for fraying. This can occur particularly at the edges of beams. Replace the ropes as needed.
• Provide enough space beside the hammock to prevent collisions while gently swaying.
• Ensure there are no objects underneath the hammock when lying down, such as a flat table or chair. Even if it appears that the hammock is hung high enough, you might misjudge due to the hammock's stretching under weight. When lying down backward, this can lead to painful and dangerous back injuries from impacting an edge with your full body weight.
• Be cautious when getting in and out. Always ensure a firm stance when entering or exiting.
• Do not step or squat in the hammock, and do not enter with your feet first.
• Weather and UV radiation cause gradual fabric aging. Fading and weathering of the threads may indicate that they are becoming brittle. Regularly check and, especially if the hammock has been unused outside for an extended period, test the fabric's tear resistance.
• Do not jump forcefully into the hammock.
• Do not use the hammock as a climbing aid, playground equipment, or swing.
• Do not insert limbs, especially your head, through the threads, as there's a risk of strangulation.
• Supervise children.