This is a guest post by JJ Johnson (JJSERE1). JJ is a former USAF Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Instructor and currently runs his own survival blog which can be seen here: http://www.realitysurvival.com.  He also has a YouTube Channel with several survival/self-reliance related videos which can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/user/jjsere1

Hammock Shelter Basics

by JJ Johnson

Are you tired of waking up stiff and sore when you go camping?  Are you tired of carrying bulky and expensive tents out on your adventures into the wilderness?  If so have you ever considered trying a hammock shelter?  Hammock shelters can be an excellent option for backpacking or camping in an area with plenty of trees.  There are several types of commercially produced hammocks; from the basic net hammock to fully enclosed tent hammocks. 

  The basic net hammocks are cheap and can also be a good addition to a Bug Out Bag because they are strong, durable, lightweight and have multiple uses.  Not only can it be used as part of a shelter to lay in, but it can also be used as an improvised fish net, backpack, gear drag, an emergency litter or a suspended food cache.  Hammock shelters are quick and easy to set up and offer pretty decent protection from the elements if used and constructed correctly.  Historically hammocks have been favored as part of a shelter in tropical and jungle areas, where it is crucial to get up off of the ground in order to stay dry.  But they can be used effectively in any environment even in sub-arctic areas to keep you up off of the snow.  Traditionally a hammock will be used in conjunction with a poncho (or other waterproof material – polypropylene tarp, plastic sheeting, etc) tied above the user to keep moisture away.  But they could also be incorporated with a large all natural shelter like a “Double Lean To”.      

Some of the benefits to using a hammock as a part of a shelter system are that it gets you off the ground.  Sleeping directly on the ground can be potentially dangerous for a person depending on the situation they are in, specifically cold and wet environments.  Creepy crawlers and snakes will also be less likely to be a visitor in a hammock, though they could still get to you.  Obviously being suspended will help to keep you dry if the ground is wet.  It could also allow some of your clothing to dry as you sleep if you were not using a sleeping bag or blanket.  Obviously sleeping in wet clothing is not advised but if it is all you have, the wind and your body heat will start to dry it out as the night goes along.  Sleeping on the ground can also contribute to hypothermia if you don’t have some sort of insulation between you and the dirt.  Many people also prefer hammocks because they are generally more comfortable that sleeping on the hard ground.  However, people who suffer with lower back pain may find that a hammock will contribute to that back pain, simply because of the position that they naturally put you in.  On the flip side those who struggle with upper back and shoulder pain may find some relief by using a hammock.

The downs sides to using a hammock are that you need some fairly good sized trees to be able to use them safely.  A tree that is 4 or 5 inches in diameter at your eye level would be preferable.  Some smaller hard wood trees may be capable of supporting the weight of you and a hammock at 3 inches in diameter, but test it well, before using a tree that small.  Also people who suffer from motion sickness or claustrophobia may not enjoy sleeping in a hammock due to the almost constant (even though slight) motion and the way the hammock tends to wrap around you as you sleep.  If you are a wild sleeper who tosses and turns you may not do well in a hammock either.  One good toss could land you on your face in the dirt.  Not a great way to be awakened! 

  Hammock shelters also don’t typically offer you a lot of space to store gear and you don’t get a lot of privacy.  Lastly, they are for the most part a one person shelter.  However you could hang two side by side or buy a two person commercially produced hammock as well. 

To set up a basic net type hammock shelter the first thing you will want to do is find two solid trees that are about ten or twelve feet apart.  Make sure that there are no dead trees (widow makers) in the area.  Then clear out low lying branches if needed.  Next tie out one end to a solid tree at about eye height or maybe just below.  Then tie out the other end at an equal height and pull it fairly taught.  Then tie out a poncho or other water resistant material about 12” to 18” above the hammock.  Ensure you have enough room to stand up underneath it.  You also want to make sure the hammock is close enough to the poncho so that when you are in the hammock you are not hanging down below the line of the poncho where you can get wet if it rains.  Make adjustments as needed.  If you know your hammock won’t stretch, for example if you were using an improvised material like a military style mosquito net, a tarp, a military poncho, etc then you wouldn’t need to tie the hammock off quite so high.  Check out the following video for a quick tutorial on setting up an improvised hammock using a military style mosquito net and a poncho (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKY6pY_SKDk).  You can also visit http://www.realitysurvival.blogspot.com/ for additional survival related information.        

The basic net hammocks are a great value and really give you a new feel to sleeping under the stars, give it a shot and let us know what you thought!

This is a guest post by JJ Johnson (JJSERE1). JJ is a former USAF Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Instructor and currently runs his own survival blog which can be seen here: http://www.realitysurvival.com.  He also has a YouTube Channel with several survival/self-reliance related videos which can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/user/jjsere1 

Similar Posts:

• 9 Military Poncho Survival Shelter Confirguations: How To Set Up A Military Poncho Shelter
• 12 Reasons Why Everyone Needs a Bug Out Bag: Series Post 3 of 12: Shelter and Bedding
• King Kong Ain’t Got #$@% On My Horsetail Sleeping Pad: Don’t let Mother Nature suck the life out of you
• Vehicle Every Day Carry Items (VEDC)
• Daily Survival Tip Mobile Phone Application: COMING SOON!

About Willow Haven Outdoor & Creek Stewart

Creek Stewart is the Owner and Lead Instructor at Willow Haven Outdoor - a leading Survival and Preparedness Training Facility located on 21-acres in Central Indiana.  For more information on Survival Courses and Clinics offered at WHO, click HERE.  Creek is also author of Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit and The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide.  You can contact Creek directly at creek@willowhavenoutdoor.com.