My love affair with paracord continues. Not only is it strong and useful for a myriad of tasks, it is colorful and fun to work with while making bracelets, key fobs, belts and other goodies. I am not the only one that feels this way.
Simply enter the term “paracord” into a search engine and you will be presented with thousands of articles covering everything from what it is, how it is used, where to buy it, and more. It seems like everyone has a stake in the paracord love-fest with preppers leading the pack!
What Exactly is Paracord?
Here at Backdoor Survival, I first wrote about paracord in 2012. I described it this way:
Paracord is a lightweight nylon rope that was originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. Soldiers, however, found that this miracle rope was useful for far more than their paratrooper missions. In the ensuing years, both the military and civilians alike have found hundreds if not thousands of uses for paracord.
It is available by length, typically 50 to 100 feet (or more) and in a variety of colors. It is also available is large quantities by the spool. Many hikers and outdoor sports enthusiasts make or purchase “survival bracelets” made of several feet of paracord which is woven into a compact bracelets that can be unraveled in the field.
By the way, you will often see paracord referred to as Paracord 550 means that it has a breaking strength of 550 pounds or more. Now that is strong!
Paracord can be used for many purposes such as securing things, removing heavy debris and fixed objects, strapping things together, as a harness to escape a burning building, controlling bleeding as a tourniquet, and the list goes on. You can even unravel the cord and use the individual strands as a fishing line or as thread to sew on a button. Wonderful stuff.
I touched upon a number of uses in the description above but that was merely a sampling. There is more – a lot more. Today I share 44 different uses of paracord for prepping and survival purposes.
44 Ways to Use Paracord for Prepping and Survival
Secure a tent
Secure a tarp between trees
Hang tools from your belt
Hang tools from around your neck
Secure things to the outside of your backpack
Make a tourniquet
Secure a splint
Make a sling for your arm
Make an emergency belt to hold your pants up
Make emergency suspenders
Replace a broken bra strap (it happens)
Replace broken or missing shoe laces
Repair a zipper pull
Secure your boat or skiff to a tree
Make a tow line; double or triple up for extra strength
Create a makeshift lanyard
String a clothesline
Hang something up off the ground
Rig a pulley system
Make traps and snares
Replace damaged or missing draw strings in packs, bags and sweat pants
Keep rolled up items secure
Create a neckerchief slide
Tie objects together for easier transport
Make a rope
Make a hammock
Make a sack for carrying groceries or gear
Bundle stuff together
Tie tall garden vegetable plants to stakes
Make a pet leash
Make a pet collar
Secure a garbage-bag rain poncho around your body to keep you dry
Hang food in trees to keep the bears away
Tie stuff down so it will not blow away in a storm
Create a trip wire
Create makeshift hand cuffs
Tie bad guys or intruders to a tree or chair
Tie people together on a trail so that they keep together
Identify members of a group using different colored armbands or bracelets
Use as sewing thread (inner threads)
Use as fishing line (inner threads)
Emergency dental floss (inner threads)
Emergency suture material (inner threads) when there is nothing else available
Make arts and crafts to stave off boredom
The Final Word
Paracord is awesome stuff. I happen to like all of the various colors and have a number of personal favorites, most notably a keychain (that holds all of my pocket survival gear!) and a lanyard with a whistle attached.
Paracord can be purchased just about everywhere these days, including brick and mortar outdoor stores and the veritable Amazon.com. Just keep in mind that different colors are priced differently so if you are looking for a bargain, consider various color options.
Now if you are handy and want to make paracord do-dads, free instructions for paracord projects abound on the Web. Try Instructables for their set free of Easy Paracord Projects. I know that I plan on making some key fobs using their Easy Paracord Key Fob instructions. (Did I mention that these instructions were free?)
Whatever you decide, be sure to pick up some paracord for your survival kit, your car and your home. This is great stuff; I just know you are going to love it.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
The post 44 Fantastic Uses Of Paracord For Prepping And Survival appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.