Prism Medical Hammock User Manual

HAMMOCK SLING

Description

The Hammock Sling design is also known as the “Split Leg Style” sling due small “L-Shaped” leg straps. The
Hammock Sling is acknowledged by professionals as one of the most comfortable and supportive sling for both
home and institutional use. This versatile sling provides full body and optional head support. The sling comes with
head and leg straps and features loops to accommodate various seating positions. The sling is available in a variety
of fabrics. Please see Sling Fabrics and Ordering Guidelines for a complete list.

The Hammock Sling is designed to be used in conjunction with a floor lift or ceiling lift. The sling is used to lift
clients from bed, wheelchair, geriatric chair, or shower chair and on/off the floor.

The Hammock Sling supports each thigh independently and in a neutral position, minimizing the amount of hip
rotation (internal or external). The Hammock Sling provides maximum support to the sacral and upper thigh areas
and is often used in cases when the individual needs more support that the Universal Sling provides.

This sling can be used for clients with limited upper body function and tone. Clients with or without head control
are well served by this sling due to the fact that this sling is available with or without head support in all sizes and
materials. Our hammock slings manufactured in North America all have head support included, however the slings
manufactured in the United Kingdom have head support as optional, and will be seen in the spacer and Slipfit
fabrics. Please confirm with your Prism Medical dealer that you are looking for head support or not at the time of
ordering.

The Hammock Slings’ versatility and function are due to the sling design:

 The angle of pull of the independent leg straps allows the hips to be maintained in a neutral

position (not internally or externally rotated).

 When short shoulder straps and long leg straps are selected the Universal Sling enables the client

to be positioned in an upright seated position (close the 90 degrees with a well fitted/sized sling)

 The sling comes with leg and shoulder straps and features loops to accommodate various seated

positions.

 The Hammock Sling is appropriate for client’s with unilateral above the knee amputation or

bilateral amputation if applied in the closed leg format

 The Hammock Sling is designed with less lateral support than the Universal Sling. Users can order

lateral hip straps to be sewn on at the time of manufacturing. These lateral hip straps will
provide additional support that may be required to meet individual client needs.

Weight Capacity

The Hammock Sling is rated to 600lbs in mesh fabric, 800 lbs in polyester fabric, and 440 lbs in Slipfit and Spacer
fabrics. This is true of all sizes.

Sling Options

Fabrics: Hammock Slings are available in a variety of sling fabrics. Sling fabric is chosen based on comfort and skin

integrity.

 Nylon Mesh
 Quilted: The leg bands are quilted. The sling body is mesh.
 Padded
 Polyester
 Slip Fit: nylon rip-stop (parachute style)
 Poly/slip: a combination of polyester and slip fit
 Spacer Fabric: a three dimensional fabric with an internal air gap
 Patient Specific (disposable)

Head Support: Head support is incorporated into the design of the sling.

NOTE: The “shoulder straps” are positioned higher on the Hammock Sling, as compared to the Universal
Sling. Thus, the “shoulder straps” control the shoulder and head position for clients using the Hammock
Sling.

Clinical Applications:

Appropriate for a client who:

 Due to a progressive condition may require head support at a later date
 Requires hips to be supported in a “neutral” position (not internally or externally rotated)
 Has unilateral above-the-knee OR bilateral lower limb amputations (special application is required)
 Has a kyphotic Posture
 Require more support due to high or low tone during the transfer

A different sling type will best meet the needs of a client who:

 Requires a sling with independent head control
 Require a easy to apply and remove transfer solution
 Requires a sling for toileting and pericare

Sling Sizing Guidelines
Sizes: Hammock Slings are available in a variety of sizes.

 Junior
 Small
 Medium
 Large
 X-Large
 XX-Large
 Custom

Please refer to the Sling Sizing Chart for the appropriate sling size for your client:

Determining Hammock Sling Fit:

Hammock Slings are designed with the head support integrated into the body of the sling. As a result the sling is
sized slightly differently.

Two points on the sling serve as landmarks in determining proper fit: (1) the center of opening arch. To find the
center of the opening arch, locate the ‘center tab’ on the bottom border of the sling body. Landmark (2) is the
point at which the shoulder strap attaches to the sling body.

Determining appropriate sling length:

The center of the opening arch should be in line with the client’s tailbone (coccyx). The point at which the shoulder
strap attaches to the sling body should fall between the client’s shoulder (deltoid), and the top of the ear. The
Head Support will extend up beyond this point.

Determining appropriate sling width:

When the center of the sling body is in line with the client’s spine, the sling should extend to the anterior crease of
the shoulder (where the deltoid muscle and chest meet). The Hammock Sling typically has a narrower fit than the
Universal Sling and may not extend all the way to the anterior shoulder crease. When the client is in the sling, you
should not be able to have both sides of the sling meet to fully encircle the client. This would signal that the sling
is too big. However you should be able to come across the front of the client slightly, otherwise the sling will be
too small.

If it is noted that the straps or webbing of the sling contacts the skin, the sling is considered too small and should
be exchanged for a larger sized sling.

A sling that is too small with be uncomfortable for the client and may increase the chance of skin irritation. A sling
that is too large will prevent the client from being positioned into an upright/chair-type position, may increase the
difficulty of positioning a client into a chair, and may increase the risk of injury to the client (i.e., fall out of sling).