Paracord is short for parachute cord- a miracle piece of equipment that any and every serious prepper or survivalist should have. It’s usually referred to as 550 paracord because despite its thin appearance, it can hold 550 lbs.
That’s some serious strength. The cord itself can be unraveled to reveal inner strands that are very strong too. Paracord was exclusively used by the military in the past, but it’s now available to civilians as well.
So there’s no excuse for you to not have it. In fact, every member in the family should have a roll of paracord in their bug out bag. It’s lightweight, takes up little space, and is so useful that you really can’t have enough.
Now let’s look at a few of the many uses of paracord and how it’ll come in handy in a crisis. Even if you’re not bugging out in the wild, it’s so versatile that you can even use paracord at home.
First Aid
If someone has a fracture, paracord can be used to tie around the limb to immobilize it. You should use a rolled-up towel and a splint to provide support to the area and then tie the paracord around it all to form a kind of brace till you can get medical help.
Rifle Sling
If you’re carrying a rifle for hunting and you don’t have a sling, you can fashion one with paracord.
Tent Rigging
If you’re setting up a tent outdoors, paracord is excellent for rigging. Use it to tie the tarp to the spikes. The paracord is strong enough to hold it all together and will not snap if it’s windy.
Secure Canteens
You can make a harness with paracord for your canteen or water bottle and hang it on your belt while trekking. It’s much more convenient than holding a bottle for hours or having to keep putting it in your backpack and taking it out. In fact, you can even make a belt out of paracord.
Increase Visibility
If you’re using brightly colored paracords, you can tie them around items in your backpack so that you know where they are at a glance. You can even color code different objects to help you easily keep track of your belongings.
Provide Better Grip
If you need a stronger grip on tools like shovels, axes, etc. all you need to do is wrap the paracord around the handle tightly and securely. Now you’ll be able to grip the object better and there’ll be less chance of it slipping during use.
Bra Straps, Shoelaces, Zipper Pulls
Paracord works great with your clothing and can help you if you have a wardrobe emergency. If a bra strap breaks, paracord can be used as a makeshift strap. A shoelace snaps? Use paracord as a shoelace. Want to pull your zip easier? Use paracord to make a loop around the zipper pull and pulling it will be a breeze.
Tourniquet
Ideally, you should have a first aid kit with you, but if you don’t, paracord can be used as a tourniquet to stanch bleeding in an emergency. This will prevent the the injured person from bleeding out.
Hammocks, Fishing Line, Dental Floss
Paracord can be used to make hammocks for you to rest in. You can also use the inner threads as dental floss. If you’re by the lake or a place where you can fish, the inner threads of the paracord will make a good fishing line. You just need to find some bait.
This is just the tip of the iceberg where paracords are concerned. You’re only limited by your imagination when it comes to using them. As long as you need to pull, hang, tighten, tie down, or lift something, you’ll be able to use paracord. Get a few bundles of it, and stay ready.