Parachute cord commonly known as Paracord or 550 cord was significantly used for parachutes during WW II. On the ground, creative exploratory enthusiasts and soldiers have found numerous uses for its excellent durability, breaking strength, and high knot strength. Nowadays, Paracord has become a frequently used commodity. They are lightweight, cost-effective, and expendable which makes them a popular gear in the survival situation. Here we have listed the top six emergency uses of Paracord you may not know before.
1: Snare Trap
One important skill set for hunting with archery gear is trapping. Setting snares is a highly effective and practically feasible strategy ensuring nourishment in a survival situation. It saves you precious time when achieving other tasks. You can use a Paracord for creating snare traps. Though remember you can remove the internal cord stands for smaller trap components.
2: Fishing Trap
Feeding yourself and the companions around is important for survival. Fishing is certainly one of the convenient ways of catching food. In addition to using it as a trap, it can be used as a fishing line and a lure as well. A lure immediately attracts the attention of fish and it is something designed to be hidden in plain sight.
3: Shelter
Another interesting way of using Paracord is rigging a shelter with it. No matter if you have forgotten to pack your tent guyline or modifying the tarp shelter, a durable cord is certainly a great and reliable structure. From pounding poles together to using it as a guyline, the cord works optimally under all circumstances. If you have made up your mind for pulling the core out of the Paracord, you can enhance the number of strands for multiple shelter tying chores.
4: Fishing Net
Creating a net is an excellent way to use Paracord. You can handily use it as a cargo net, a hammock, and makeshift bear bag. All you need to do is cut your Paracord the length as per the requirements. Typically, 5-15 feet works great. Isolate the internal strands from the external sheath. Position the outer sheath in a horizontal position while the inner threads vertically. Secure them to the edges where the sheath and the internal threads meet. Bond the inner strands to the covering on both sides – 2 inches separately and repeat it in the opposite direction. Create a knot each time you overlap another strand until everything is done.
5: Fire
Though 550 cord is designed to minimize external friction, it makes an appropriate bowstring for bow and drills fire-starting approach. We recommend using two strands of Paracord wrapped around one another for a bowstring. This exerts more grip on the drills helping with the overall functionality. You may want to choose dead and dry softwoods for the drill and board. Cloak the cord around the drill 2-3 times and it will enhance the traction on the drill.
6: Bear Bag
One of the popular uses of Paracord is suspending food cache high in a tree to keep it away from wild animals and prevent the evening animal stalkers around your shelter. To suspend your food, simply secure a rock to one end of 100 feet of cord and toss it over the tree branch while keep holding the other end. Unfasten the rock, position the Paracord down the length of the branch unless and until it is approximately five feet from the tree. Pull the bag up till the cache hangs about 12 feet off the surface and five feet underneath the branch.
When we talk about Paracord, the EDC and survival benefits are numerous. It’s a great gear to compile multiple everyday carry chores and keep your journey much comfortable. If you are a travel or adventurous aficionado, you are more likely to acquire one or more benefits. Share your experience with us in the comment section below.
