Hammocks and Disability

[Csgdu]

Hi

I have joined really to get advice.

I know a very seriously disabled adult who has very disturbed sleep and needs to be in a safe place.

Has anyone any experience of using these hammocks, (it would have to be the type that is enclosed (with a mosquito net?) ) by severely disabled people in their home?

It would be fixed just above a floor that has lots of cushioning. Transfers in and out of the hammock would be by hoist.

[Csgdu]

And where do people recommend I look for examples in London England? :-)

[dkurfiss]

Welcome to HF. I certainly don't know the extent of your friends disabilities but my brother was disabled and I would not have put him into a hammock with a bug net. First off the netting is fragile and somewhat easily torn. Next off the amount of time to get him out of the hammock even with a hoist would not be something I would want to engage in an emergency. Lastly gathered end hammocks require a lot of tweeking to make them comfortable and my brother would not have been able to give me enough input to make that possible. Perhaps someone with more knowledge will chime in esp. about bridge hammocks as I have no experience there.

Again, welcome

[Csgdu]

Thanx :-) I am describing a high level of disability. The floating feel of a hammock feels as if it could be very valuable but there are huge safety implications.

I was imagining some form of rescue stretcher that you could sleep in and possibly allow movement.

[IRONFISH45]

Well, First Welcome.

My experience that might be helpful is varied.
I agree with dkurfiss's comments.

I know burn clients at one time were suspended while healing.

I know people have strangled in hammocks.

Sanitation would be a problem.

I love Hanging, however when I was very ill and unable to move on my own, I would NOT have liked nor felt safe in a hammock. When I was recovering and ambulatory Hanging was great.

I would never put a young child or a not ambulatory person in a hammock, too many risks. Even a short drop onto a padded floor could easily cause injuries.

[Csgdu]

Good morning :- ) thanks for your thoughts!

Would something like a large trampoline with edge protection to prevent falling off work?

[One-Sky]

Good morning :- ) thanks for your thoughts!

Would something like a large trampoline with edge protection to prevent falling off work?

Welcome to the forum.

I do not think you are going to get an answer to your above question(s). You are asking for a medical recommendation regarding a disabled person. I would reach out to a doctor for further advice and recommendations.

I do hope you find a solution and answers you are looking for.

Much luck to you and your friend.

[Csgdu]

Welcome to the forum.

I do not think you are going to get an answer to your above question(s). You are asking for a medical recommendation regarding a disabled person. I would reach out to a doctor for further advice and recommendations.

I do hope you find a solution and answers you are looking for.

Much luck to you and your friend.

Thinking about this comment, I ‘m actually exploring the engineering issues, where this probably is the right forum! :-)

Health and safety spends a lot of time thinking about moving and handling, of things and people.

I am exploring a very specialist form of moving and handling - suspended hammocks - and a very specialist form of person to be handled - very disabled people, and what interactions may be possible, or tweaks to make it work.

It might not, but I don’t know that yet!

[dkurfiss]

Hammocks are a very personal type of item with many variables. My suggestion to you is if you do not currently use a hammock yourself, buy one and spend some nights in it. A number of the vendor's here sell beginner hammocks w/suspensions for well under 100.00.

Once you have done that, then you will be able to answer many of your "engineering" questions for yourself.

Good luck in your search