Using a hammock is trickier than it looks. Images of someone peacefully asleep under palm trees, swaying in a gentle breeze, are common from films and TV. But they rarely show you anyone getting in, getting out or changing position. That takes a bit of practice.
The technique varies depending on whether or not the hammock was strung with spreaders. Spreaders are bars of wood or metal threaded or attached to the material at each end. They allow the hammock to form more of a rectangle and less the more traditional banana shape.
With spreaders in place, the effort is relatively simple. Proceed slowly when lying down and you're unlikely to rotate around and be thrown onto the ground. Once on the hammock, if you don't make any sudden moves while turning on your side, for example, it's easy to remain stable.
Without spreaders, more caution is required. Even after you successfully get into the hammock without rotating, it's possible to get wrapped around. Getting out of a hammock that has 'swallowed' you may look amusing in cartoons, but that's best left for animated characters.
When getting in, or changing position, place one hand on each side of the hammock and keep the surface spread. Move slowly and enter at an angle, as if you were about to sit in a chair slightly sideways. Some hammocks are even designed to be slept in more at that angle than lengthwise along the hammock axis. That's especially important if the hammock has a lot of stretch.
With a double-wide or family-sized hammock you have more choices. Rotation is less a problem. You still need to be careful about excessive sway however, unless the hammock is secured at four points. There are those who would argue that you're no longer in a hammock at that stage, but a big, rectangular cloth. We'll leave that debate to dictionary makers.
If movement or a breeze starts you swaying, spread your arms and legs out over each side of the hammock and you'll slow down. That also helps to eliminate any angular momentum that will tend to make you rotate. If you're tall enough, put one foot on the ground to stabilize you. But make sure to offset the weight distribution by extending the other leg in the opposite direction.
When you're ready to get up again, reverse the procedure of getting in. Put one hand on each side of the hammock and extend a leg over the side. Proceed slowly, and make sure your weight is balanced before sitting up. Sitting up without extending any limbs tends to provide a thin lever arm that produces torque pushing your body around in a circle.
The first few times you use your hammock it's a good idea to have a pad or mattress underneath in case you get dumped on the ground. If your hammock is on a wooden porch or over cement, rather than soft grass, you'll be glad you planned in advance.
