What is a Paracord?
The term ‘Paracord’ is an abbreviation for the word parachute cord.
It was originally developed for paratroopers by the American military during World War II. The cords also helped other military units in combat and were therefore a very practical utensil. Nowadays, it has become an indispensable tool for every Prepper, Survivalist and outdoor wilderness fan.
Before our product review, we will list over 30 applications in which you can use paracord.
Let’s start by discussing the unique nature of the paracord and how it differs from other cords.
1). Nature of Paracord
Paracord comes from the USA. It is a lightweight nylon rope that was originally used for parachute jumps. Paracord is subject to the MIL-C-5040H standard. This defines 6 different classes of the material. The best known Paracord 550 corresponds to type III. The individual classes differ primarily in
- the specified minimum breaking load and
- the number of threads from which the ropes are made.
Since the paracord is very resilient and versatile, it is becoming more and more popular in various areas. Paracord has already become an almost irreplaceable material, especially for climbing, outdoor and survival fans.
It’s durable , strong, and very reliable.
But paracord is also used in other areas. For example, it serves as a fishing line, helps build rafts or is an emergency rope during disasters and catastrophes.
Due to its beautiful structure and its good flexibility, paracord can also be worn as a bracelet also refered to as a survival bracelet which we do not discuss on this website.
2). What’s the difference between a Paracord & other Cords ?
The multi-functional capabilities of paracord is due to a number significant properties :
Property | Comment |
Stability & Robustness | When someone speaks of paracord, they usually mean Paracord 550. This very strong material has a minimum breaking load of 550 pounds, which is about 249 kilograms. The material consists of : – 32 braided threads in the sheath – 7 core threads which together give the rope its robustness and tear resistance nature. |
Ease of Care | Paracord is made of 100% nylon and is therefore very easy and quick to wash and dry . This ease of care is exemplified by (i) its very stable colours that do not fade easily with time and (ii) the weather resistance of every paracord rope. |
Free from Allergens | The material does not contain any allergens and is therefore 100% skin-friendly. Paracord is the right choice for people (or animals) who cannot tolerate certain materials or fabrics. |
Lightweight | Despite its robustness, paracord is a very light material that can be easily transported or held in the hand for a long time. The feeling of comfort is unbeatable. This is a great advantage, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. |
Appearance | Paracord is available in every imaginable color. Some of the ropes are also available with patterns or a reflection function. Nothing limits you when designing your paracord. |
3). Applications for Paracord
The list tabulated below explains OVER 30 applications for paracord.
How many do you think would NOT be relevant to disaster and survival preparation as well as action during an emergency situation ?
1. Tie up the tent Experienced campers know the situation when there is a storm and the tent almost blows in your face. So it would be good if you have a stable material that can stand up to the wind, right? And that’s exactly what paracord is, because with the sturdy rope you can protect your tent quickly and easily from a storm. 2. Attach the tool to the body Regardless of whether you prefer to hang your tool around your waist or your neck, you can easily do this with a paracord. This way you can get hold of things quickly and nothing is lost. This is a practical way of transporting equipment, especially for climbers, without anything falling and getting lost. 3. Attach things to the backpack If the backpack is no longer sufficient, you have to use the outside. It’s easy to do with a paracord rope. Simply hang shoes, T-shirts or towels on the outside of the backpack and you have more space inside. 4. Make a pressure bandage In an emergency, you will need to tie a wound and keep the injured person from losing too much blood. A paracord rope can also help here, because it can be tightened as a tourniquet. This creates a pressure bandage that can be adapted to different body sizes. 5. Injuries In outdoor sports, sprains and fractures are among the most common injuries. Sometimes it is not possible to get medical help immediately. To get ahead, make a splint with a paracord and attach it to your body. 6. Arm Sling If the arm is injured, it must be immobilized. You make a loop with the paracord. 7. Make your own belt You can make your own belts from paracord. With different colors, patterns and knotting techniques, a rope becomes a stylish fashion accessory that is very durable and flexible adjustable. This puts an end to belts that constantly break or no longer fit. It is very useful for outdoor athletes and in emergency situations to have a belt made of paracord. In this way, you can compensate for any weight loss that arises from increased exercise or food shortages. 8. Replace bra straps Paracord is also useful in everyday life. You can use it to replace a bra strap or the straps of dresses or tops. 9. Lace replacement You don’t have a shoelace at hand? No problem, because paracord is ideally suited for this task. 10. Repair zipper You can fix every zipper with a small thread of paracord. 11. Secure the boat Small boats are attached with paracord ropes. However, always pay attention to the breaking load of the material. If a boat exceeds this, several layers of rope should be used or a proper rope should be found. 12. Neck strap Whether for the key, a knife or a necklace, paracord straps are versatile and multi-functional. 13. Clothesline Stable and durable, these are exactly the characteristics that a clothesline should have. That is why paracord is also an ideal material here. 14. Hang something up In addition to the laundry, you also hang many other things with paracord ropes. 15. Traps and pitfalls Most paracord ropes are relatively thick and that is how animals notice them. However, there are also thinner versions that are less noticeable. 16. Replace drawstrings The drawstring of your pants, your hat or your jacket is broken? Don’t worry, paracord is a great replacement material that will last a long time. 17. Stow things away You want to stow away old things safely or give them away, but everything is so unwieldy? Then pack it more manageable and compact with the help of paracord ropes. 18. Make an even stronger rope Although paracord itself is very strong and robust, it can be done even better. If you knot different paracord ropes with the right technique, you will get an even more robust rope that is even more resilient. 19. Fishing nets Since paracord has no problem with moisture, it is ideal for fishing nets. 20. Hang up the hammock A hammock can be easily attached using paracord ropes. To ensure safety, wind the rope around the tree or the suspension several times. 21. Make your own backpack It takes a lot of patience to make a paracord backpack yourself. But it’s worth it, because the material is very robust and durable. 22. Dry herbs To dry herbs or other plants, you hang them up. A paracord rope is also ideal for this. 23. Fix trees So that trees do not grow crooked, they are fixed straight. Paracord works well for this, but it is removed after a while because it does not rot by itself like other materials. 24. Leashes and ropes for animals Paracord is also suitable as dog leashes or as ropes for horses and cattle. Collars made from this material are also very popular. 25. Fasten rainwear In order to be optimally protected even in bad weather, tie your raincoat closer to your body with paracord ropes. 26. Protecting items from the wind All sorts of items (devices, personal belongings for example) have been lost outside in a strong wind. That’s why you should secure your equipment with paracord ropes. 27. Tripwire Those who stay outside have to protect themselves from attacks. A tripwire made of paracord helps to detect intruders at an early stage. 28. Shackles If you’ve overpowered an intruder or otherwise need to tie someone up, paracord is a very reliable material. 29. Form a human chain Sometimes a human chain has to be formed on narrow paths. This way everyone stays together and the chance of survival in dangerous situations increases. Paracord ropes are a good choice for this. 30. Identify people Using the assortment of colour options available for paracords 34. Build a raft To build a raft, you need ropes. So why not use a paracord? 35. Repair the bed frame If the slat under your bed is broken, fix the slatted frame with paracord. The lying comfort is even better than with wooden slats. 36. Hair bands Paracord is also very suitable for tying the hair together. The material is cheap, so it doesn’t matter if something goes missing. 37. Clean small hoses If you knot paracord ropes and push them through a hose, you will use them to clean the inside. 38. Rescue someone from a hole Here, too, paracord is life-saving. If someone falls into a hole, use a paracord rope to pull them out. 39. Measure distance Paracord ropes are either 100 or 50 feet long. Knowing this is a good way to measure distances. |
REVIEWS
It’s all very well ‘singing the praises’ about the versatility of paracord but we still have to choose the right type of paracord for our needs – ” any type of paracord will do ” style of thinking is not a viable option. Hence, all the paracord options we promote on our website originate from a market leader manufacturer, namely TITAN SURVIVAL (Modesto, CA. [USA] ).
- Exceeds Type III military paracord specs with a tensile strength ( max. load = 280kg
- The waterproof, twisted jute fiber strand is designed to quickly start fires in an emergency.
- The 30 AWG metal wire. The Snare Wire is a 30 AWG (0.25mm) proprietary Brass alloy with an impressive tensile strength of ~7lbs, that can also be used as an emergency antenna, a trip wire, an electrical wire, and so many more things.
- The integrated mono-filament fishing line is a clear, 25 lb. Nylon line that is strong and perfect for catching fish in oceans, lakes, rivers, and ponds.
- CARE ! The outer sheath slips quite a bit on the inner strands.
- god range of colour options
- Top quality product : 5-Star amazon rating from over 2,000 reviews.
Paracord is one of the most versatile pieces of survival gear you can carry. In addition, you can use it to transcend physical obstacles like the small cliffs you might encounter as you try to reach civilization OR escape it depending on what’s happening !
It is essential survival gear for the person who likes to be prepared for any eventuality.
Below, is a tabulated presentation of the ‘cordage’ range of paracords available directly from Titan Survival website without the fear of unavailability and / or product discontinuation.
Name / Type of Cordage | Introduction/Brief Description | Titan Survival Webpage Link |
SurvivorCord 25 FT QD / BLACK | the perfect length for ridge lines and shelter construction ; Multi-Purpose Utility Wire, Fishing Line, and Waterproof Fire-Tinder. | Click Here to Access. |
1/8″ Shock Cord, COYOTE BROWN, 1000 FT SPOOL | is Berry Amendment Compliant and is perfect for do-it-yourself projects that incorporate elastic materials into the design. | Click Here to Access. |
1/8″ Shock Cord, OLIVE DRAB, 1000 FT SPOOL | As previously described except colour is Olive-Drab. | Click Here to Access. |
SurvivorCord Spool / REFLECTIVE-ORANGE | Reflective orange-style feature ; patented MIL-STYLE 550 parachute cord, with 3 potentially life-saving survival strands added to the inner core during manufacturing: Multi-Purpose Utility Wire, Fishing Line, and Waterproof Fire-Tinder. | Click Here to Access. |
SurvivorCord Spool / SNAKESKIN | As described above except colour is Snakeskin. | Click Here to Access. |
SurvivorCord Spool / DRAGONSCALE | As described above except colour is Dragonscale. | Click Here to Access. |
Needless to say, an appropiate container/enclosure to protect your future paracord/s is highly recommended.
CANVAS BUSHCRAFT BAG FOR PARACORD : Easily store 100 FT of your favorite SurvivorCord® in your bug-out bag or vehicle with our new waxed canvas Bushcraft Bag for Paracord. Helps keep your gear organized and easily identifiable. This is a rugged, durable, water-resistant MOLLE pouch that helps protect your cordage from the elements.
- features a MOLLE strap on the back side that allows you to easily attach it to the outside of your favorite camping gear or hiking gear ;
- and the leather tag helps to keep this piece of gear easily identifiable and organized ;
- the bright orange nylon lining can be cut out and used as a signaling device in an emergency.
- MULTI-PURPOSE USE – Although this waterproof pouch is primarily designed for paracord storage as part of your backpacking gear, it can also be easily attached to belts and used as a foraging pouch or foraging bag.
- OUTER MATERIAL: Waxed Canvas
- INNER MATERIAL: Nylon
- WEIGHT: 2.2 Ounces (60g)
- SIZE: 10.5″ H x 4.5″ D (267mm H x 114 mm D)
- OPENING DIAMETER: 4 Inches (102 mm)
- MOLLE STRAPS: 1x
- ACCESS THE CANVAS BUSHCRAFT BAG BY VISITING THE WEBSITE PAGE LINK BY CLICKING HERE.
Now Refer back to the website’s main menu at the top of this page in order to click and visit Other Devices OR Topics such as Clothing & Footwear ; Shelter and Survival Lighting.
**************************************