Uses for Paracord

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by MtnPapa, Nov 25, 2013.


  1. MtnPapa

    MtnPapa www.mountainmansupply.com

    There are many paracord uses in survival situations, or any other time. Paracord is strong handy stuff when you know how to use it.

    Here are 10 great uses for paracord:

    1. First aid tourniquet.

    2. First aid splint ties.

    3. First aid stitching with inside strings.

    4. Emergency boot laces

    5. Survival bow string and arrow lashing (tying below arrow feathers)

    6. Use the inside strings to make a fishing net

    7. Snare traps

    8. Use the inside strings to make a fishing line

    9. Use the inside strings as thread for clothing repairs

    10. Rope handle for makeshift gear sled.

    Of course the ideas for paracord uses are limitless, needless to say, paracord should be part of everyone's survival kit. Wear it, pack it, throw it in the glove box of your car or truck. It better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

    As always, your input and ideas are welcome...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 25, 2013
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  2. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Having some good bank line is also a great idea. In some ways, I prefer it to paracord.

    I still do find reasons to use up the paracord, though. Great stuff. ;)
     
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  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Bought a 1000 foot spool of paracord, use it for all sorts of things. Tie down pickup loads and stuff on the bike, makeshift rifle slings, lanyards for tools while on the roof and ladder, too. Getting a spool is WAY less expensive than by shorter lengths for specific purposes.

    Good for practice knot tying, too.
     
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  4. Silversnake

    Silversnake Silverback

    Do NOT use paracord as a tourniquet.
     
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  5. Silversnake

    Silversnake Silverback

    Don't use it as suture material either.
     
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  6. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    Paracord can be used for making improvised log rafts for water crossings. Dummy cords for your gear... or the families. Also used for creating temporary shelter as lashings, to keep it tight and withstanding windy conditions or inclement weather better. You can also use it for defense as trip lines for early detection & booby traps.
    I have a few thousand feet of this stuff as it can be used for so much.....
     
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  7. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Best boot laces ever. :)
     
  8. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    If one were to sterilize the inner Paracord strands, they certainly could be used for emergency suture thread....
     
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  9. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    And dental floss, as long as one is rather careful to not pull the sutures very tight, nor saw on the gums.
     
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  10. Silversnake

    Silversnake Silverback

    The twisted fiber makes it a superhighway for pathogens into the wound, evev if you sterilize it first. This is the same problem we had with the old IUDs with braided removal strings that were giving women PID in the 70s and 80s. One would be better off using monofiliament fishing line. BTW, don't do anything medical based on what you read on the internet, especially if it is written by me.
     
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  11. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Understood, clearly. That said, if it's what you have, use it.
     
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  12. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Most thinking folks, would cover such sutures with a light coating of Sterile Petroleum Jelly, and covered with a bandage, as was done for YEARS, to do two things. Keep the sutured area supple, and block the Path of any Pathogens. This is an Emergency (Use what you have) procedure. PreSilk era, CatGut and Horse Hair were both used as suture material.
     
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  13. Leigh

    Leigh Monkey

    As Broker said, excellent boot laces.
    In fact, every pair of shoes /boots I own have typical laces replaced with paracord.
    Just too may uses to be stuck with simple shoe laces!
     
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  14. -06

    -06 Monkey+++

    My goodness--we are forgetting the most useful one of all--------clotheslines--lol.
     
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  15. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    or Tent Hanger, between two trees......
     
  16. Silversnake

    Silversnake Silverback

    Prussick cuffs
     
  17. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Tarp tie downs. You can even braid it like you would a sling and make hammock straps, possibly an entire hammock if you were going to get into netting. Although, I prefer to use bank line for netting...
     
  18. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    Dummy cord. Use it to retain any gear you might drop, or as a secondary attachment for stuff that clips onto your gear.

    Also makes a nice saw for plastic and nylon webbing.

    As a release cord for a trap machine. PULL!

    HD
     
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  19. VHestin

    VHestin Farm Chick

    #11: Sturdy cat toy
     
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  20. CATO

    CATO Monkey+++

    Make a Fire Bow
    Paracord is slippery, so a single strand on the fire bow is more frustrating than functional. Instead, braid or twist your cord, then string your bow. The best bows are slightly curved, arm-length, and an inch thick. Knot the woven paracord to one end, then tie an adjustable knot (like the taut-line hitch) on the other to dial in tension. Use dead, dry softwoods (like pine and cedar) for your board and drill, and carve a notch in your board to receive the hot dust. Wrap the cord around your bow, then saw vigorously to create a glowing, red ember. –Tim MacWelch, Prepare for Anything: 338 Essential Survival Skills (weldonowen.com; $27)
    (another option is to carve a square section on your round spindle (drill), but, this may damage your cordage if the edges are sharp).
    Starting a Fire With Friction | The Art of Manliness
    [​IMG]

    Collect water
    Found a tiny seep in a rock? Lay one end of your paracord in it and arrange it so the other end is lower. Fill your water bottle or vessel drip by drip. –Mykel Hawke, Lost Survivors

    Fish and Sew
    Cut the paracord, exposing its silky innards, and carefully separate out a few strands. Use them for emergency pack repairs (with a sewing needle) or as fishing line with a hook improvised from a thorny branch or carved out of wood. –Tim Smith, Jack Mountain Bushcraft School

    Make Snowshoes
    Gather two pine boughs, 3 feet long by 16 inches wide with lots of little branches off the main shoot. Lay them down, stems facing back. Put a foot on each, and wrap the paracord under the branch and through your boots’ eyelets. Lift each foot completely when you walk and use a wide stance to avoid stepping on your own feet. –Tim Smith

    Make a Spear
    Find a straight, green stick about an inch thick. Use your blade to flatten an area the size of your knife’s handle. Cut shallow notches near the top and bottom of the flat area. Tie the knife to your stick (go around the guard) and wrap downward, finishing in the second notch at the base. –Jason Schwartz, Rocky Mountain Bushcraft

    Find North
    Make an Ottomani sun compass out of paracord and a squared-off piece of wood, and calibrate it using the sun. –Mykel Hawke (Hmmmm . . . never heard of it? See vid below)

    Clean your drinking hose
    Tie a knot in your paracord, thread it into your water bladder’s hose, and pull it through to scrub the inside clean. – Jason Schwartz

     
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