Paracord is quite simply one of the most amazing and versatile survival products out there. It has so many potential uses that it’s hard to keep track of them all; it’s one of many products that have transcended their initially designed uses and spawned dozens of alternate uses.

Originally developed during World War II, as its name implies, paracord was initially developed, quite simply, to attach parachute canopies to harnesses. Engineers were looking for light yet strong cordage that could support lots of weight and stretch very little. They wanted a synthetic material that would resist rot or decay while being stowed within parachute packs.

What emerged is known as a “kernmantle rope” — essentially, a compound rope consisting of an outer sheath (the mantle) and inner strands (the kern). GIs soon found that this new cordage was far more useful than for just parachutes, and soon enough it began popping up all over the place to bind, repair, create and augment in a dizzying array of applications. As with any good thing, paracord transcended the military; veterans started using it for a myriad of applications, and it caught on in the civilian world, where it is now a firm staple, in the multiple use hall of fame with other abundantly useful items like duct tape.

Paracord is sometimes colloquially referred to as 550 cord – the 550 standing for the break strength in pounds of the cordage, which is remarkably strong considering the diameter of the material. Today, it comes in every color imaginable, and is available by the 100 foot roll at a very reasonable price – it’s quite literally an item no serious survivalist should be without. It also is available as a bracelet and as a lanyard.

Perhaps you weren’t aware of some of the more eclectic uses for paracord; sure, you can obviously tie things with it, but paracord brings much more to the table than simple knots. Here are a few examples of what can be done with the amazing kernmantle rope known as paracord.

1. Secure a tent
2. Secure a tarp between trees
3. Hang tools from your belt
4. Hang tools from around your neck
5. Secure things to the outside of your backpack
6. Make a tourniquet
7. Secure a splint
8. Make a sling for your arm
9. Make an emergency belt to hold your pants up
10. Make emergency suspenders
11. Replace broken or missing shoe laces
12. Repair a zipper pull
13. Secure your boat or skiff to a tree
14. Make a tow line; double or triple up for extra strength
15. Create a makeshift lanyard
16. String a clothesline
17. Hang something up off the ground
18. Rig a pulley system
19. Make traps and snares
20. Replace damaged or missing draw strings in packs, bags and sweat pants
21. Keep rolled up items secure
22. Create a neckerchief slide
23. Tie objects together for easier transport
24. Make a rope
25. Make a hammock
26. Make a sack for carrying groceries or gear
27. Bundle stuff together
28. Tie tall garden vegetable plants to stakes
29. Make a pet leash
30. Make a pet collar
31. Secure a garbage-bag rain poncho around your body to keep you dry
32. Hang food in trees to keep the bears away
33. Tie stuff down so it will not blow away in a storm
34. Create a trip wire
35. Create makeshift hand cuffs
36. Tie bad guys or intruders to a tree or chair
37. Tie people together on a trail so that they keep together
38. Identify members of a group using different colored armbands or bracelets
39. Use as sewing thread (inner threads)
40. Use as fishing line (inner threads)
41. Emergency dental floss (inner threads)
42. Emergency suture material (inner threads) when there is nothing else available
43. Replace your shoelaces
44. Inner strands for dental floss
45. A combat knife lashed with paracord to a pole or stick makes an excellent spear.
46. Paracord’s mantle burns extremely easily, making it a great fire starter in a pinch.
47. Take a length of paracord, tie a half pound rock on the end, and swing away for an impact weapon.
48. Tie your horses or dogs to a tree with paracord to keep them close by at night; lash yourself to your partner with a length of paracord to keep you both on a trail during driving rain or fog so no one gets lost.
49. Tie one of your gloves with paracord, then loop it through the inside of your coat and out the other sleeve. Next, tie your other glove on. You won’t lose your gloves this way and they’ll be right there when you need them.
50. Find a drip or damp spot on the side of a rock face? Put a piece of paracord line where the dampness is strongest and then place the end of that line inside a water bottle to collect the water.

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