Aerial Silks: How to Hang with a Daisy Chain, Essential Equipment, and Safety

How to Hang Aerial Silks with a Daisy Chain?

Hanging aerial silks with a daisy chain provides a versatile and secure method for adjusting fabric height, crucial for practitioners to optimize their training and performance while ensuring safety through proper rigging techniques and equipment.

Understanding the Daisy Chain

A daisy chain, in the context of aerial arts, is a specialized piece of rigging hardware, typically made from high-strength webbing with a series of reinforced loops or pockets sewn into its length. Unlike a simple sling, these loops allow for precise and quick adjustment of the aerial apparatus's height. Each loop acts as an anchor point, enabling the user to shorten or lengthen the effective suspension point by clipping into different loops. Its primary purpose is to offer adjustability without re-tying knots or using complex pulley systems, making it a popular choice for home setups, studios with varying ceiling heights, or when multiple users share a rigging point.

Essential Equipment and Safety Gear

Proper rigging begins with the right equipment, all of which must be rated for aerial use and regularly inspected.

• Certified Overhead Rigging Point: This is paramount. It must be professionally installed and rated for dynamic loads significantly exceeding the user's weight. Examples include structural beams, professional-grade aerial rigs, or certified ceiling anchors.
• Aerial Silks Fabric: High-quality, low-to-medium stretch nylon or polyester tricot specifically designed for aerial arts.
• Daisy Chain: A certified aerial-grade daisy chain made from durable webbing with multiple loops. Ensure its Working Load Limit (WLL) and Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) are appropriate.
• Carabiners (at least 2): Autolocking or triple-action locking carabiners, rated for climbing or aerial use. One for connecting the daisy chain to the rigging point, and another (or two, depending on setup) for connecting the silks.
• Rescue 8 / Figure 8 Descender (optional, for single-point setups): Often used to gather and secure the silks at their apex.
• Swivel (optional): Allows the silks to rotate freely without twisting the rigging, enhancing movement and reducing wear.
• Crash Mat: Essential for safety, placed directly beneath the hanging apparatus.

Pre-Rigging Safety Checks

Before any aerial apparatus is hung, a rigorous safety protocol must be followed.

• Rigging Point Assessment: Ensure your overhead rigging point has been professionally inspected and certified to support dynamic aerial loads. Never guess its capacity. A general rule of thumb for dynamic loads is a 10:1 safety factor (e.g., if the user and apparatus weigh 200 lbs, the rigging point should be rated for at least 2000 lbs).
• Equipment Inspection: Visually inspect all components (silks, daisy chain, carabiners, swivels, figure 8) for any signs of wear, fraying, cuts, deformation, rust, or damage. Retire any compromised equipment immediately.
• Understanding Load Limits: Be aware of the Working Load Limit (WLL) and Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) for each piece of equipment. The WLL is the maximum recommended safe load, while MBS is the point at which the equipment is expected to fail. Always operate well within the WLL.

Step-by-Step Guide: Hanging Aerial Silks with a Daisy Chain

This guide assumes a single-point rigging setup, common for split silks or hammock setups.

Step 1: Secure the Primary Rigging Point

• Ensure your overhead rigging point is clear of any obstructions.
• If using a professional aerial rig, ensure all pins are secured and the structure is stable.

Step 2: Attach the Daisy Chain

• Take one end of the daisy chain (typically the end with the largest, reinforced loop) and pass it through your primary overhead rigging point (e.g., an eye bolt, a certified beam wrap, or a hang point on a truss).
• Bring the end back to itself and secure it with a locking carabiner. Ensure the carabiner is properly oriented, gate closed, and locked. This creates a secure loop from which the silks will hang.
• Alternatively, if the rigging point is a solid ring or bar, you can girth hitch the daisy chain around it, ensuring the loops are accessible below.

Step 3: Connect the Aerial Silks

• For Split Silks (two tails):
  • Gather the aerial silks at their center.
  • Feed the middle of the silks through the large opening of a Rescue 8 / Figure 8 descender.
  • Bring the two tails of the silks back up and through the smaller hole of the Figure 8, pulling them tight to form a secure knot. This creates two separate "legs" of fabric.
  • Attach a locking carabiner to the top loop of the Figure 8.
  • Optional: If using a swivel, attach the swivel to the Figure 8's carabiner, then attach another locking carabiner from the swivel to the daisy chain.
• For Hammock/Sling (closed loop):
  • Fold the silks in half, creating a bight (loop) at the top.
  • Feed the bight through a locking carabiner.
  • Attach the carabiner (and optional swivel) to the daisy chain.

Step 4: Adjusting the Height

• The daisy chain's multiple loops are designed for height adjustment.
• To raise the silks, unclip the carabiner holding your silks/swivel from its current loop and re-clip it into a higher loop on the daisy chain.
• To lower the silks, re-clip the carabiner into a lower loop on the daisy chain.
• Always ensure the carabiner is fully closed and locked after adjustment.
• Consider the intended use (e.g., ground-level training, standing height, or higher for drops) when setting the height.

Step 5: Final Safety Check

• Visual Inspection: Double-check every connection point: carabiner gates locked, no twists in the webbing, silks properly knotted/secured, and the daisy chain correctly attached to the rigging point.
• Weight Test: Gently apply weight to the silks, gradually increasing pressure. Listen for any unusual sounds and observe for any shifting or stretching. Perform a full-body hang (feet off the ground) before beginning any dynamic movements.
• Mat Placement: Ensure crash mats are directly and adequately positioned beneath the entire range of motion of the silks.

Crucial Safety Considerations

Safety is non-negotiable in aerial arts. Adhere to these principles without exception.

• Professional Consultation: Always consult with a certified rigger or an experienced aerial professional for initial setup and any modifications to your rigging system.
• Regular Inspection: Implement a routine inspection schedule for all equipment before each use. This includes checking for wear, damage, or degradation.
• Load Bearing Capacity: Never exceed the Working Load Limit (WLL) of any component in your rigging system. The weakest link determines the overall system's strength.
• Spotting and Matting: Always use appropriate crash mats. For new moves or higher rigging, consider having an experienced spotter.
• Avoid DIY Solutions: Do not use unrated hardware, ropes, or makeshift rigging points. Your safety depends on professionally tested and certified equipment.

Maintenance and Longevity

Proper care extends the life of your equipment and maintains safety.

• Cleaning Silks: Hand wash silks with mild soap and cold water, or machine wash on a delicate cycle in a large capacity washer. Air dry completely, away from direct sunlight.
• Inspecting Hardware: Regularly check carabiners for sticky gates, rust, or deformation. Inspect swivels for smooth rotation without grinding.
• Storage: Store silks and hardware in a clean, dry, temperature-controlled environment, away from direct sunlight, chemicals, and extreme temperatures, which can degrade materials.

When to Seek Professional Help

Knowing when to call in an expert is a sign of responsible practice.

• Uncertainty About Rigging: If you are unsure about any aspect of your rigging setup, from the integrity of your overhead point to the correct way to tie a knot or attach hardware, consult a professional.
• Damage to Equipment: If any component of your rigging system shows signs of wear, damage, or deformation, cease use immediately and consult an expert for assessment or replacement. Never attempt to repair damaged aerial equipment.
• Complex Setups: For multi-point rigging, custom installations, or advanced aerial apparatus, professional rigging consultation is essential to ensure safety and structural integrity.