Paracord -- what's the use?

7th Jul 2015

Yes, we love paracord, that tough-as-nails nylon line that's become a staple of preppers, survivalists, Scouts and campers everywhere. Versatile as it is, however, the same question keeps a-nagging:

"What can I use paracord for?"

Paracord OD

With all due respect to your vivid imagination, we've prepared a list of ideas. Some of them we've tried ourselves, others we haven't. We're willing to bet you can think of more.

Shelter

Tie-out a tent or rain fly
Secure a tarp to poles, stakes or trees
Lash poles together to make a shelter

First aid & medical

Improvise a tourniquet
Secure a splint
Make a sling
Lash poles together to make a stretcher

Repairs

Improvise a belt
Improvise suspenders
Improvise a bra strap
Replace broken shoelaces
Fix a zipper pull
Replace broken drawstrings (sweat pants, bags, etc.)
Use inner strands as sewing thread

Camping

Make a clothesline
Hang stuff off the ground
Hang a bear bag
Tie stuff to the outside of your pack
Secure gear in a windstorm
Improvise a compression sack
Secure a hammock
Lash poles together to make a camp seat
Make a pot-hanger
Bundle firewood for carrying
Improvise a tow-line for a gear sled
Hang a light
Lower gear over ledges or cliffs
Practice tying knots

Survival

Make snares with inner strands
Tie a garbage bag around yourself to keep dry
Use inner strands as fishing line
Use inner strands as dental floss
Use inner strands as emergency sutures
Tie knots and make crafts to fight boredom
Make a bow-drill firestarter
Use inner strands to make a fishing net
Make a simple bow
Make a strap wrench
Lash a blade to a pole for fishing or hunting
Improvise snow shoes
Make a sling for hunting
Make trot lines for fishing
Make a gill net for fishing

House & garden

Tie tomato and vegetable plants to stakes or cages
Make a dog leash
Make a dog collar
Make a key ring for kids
Make a skipping rope for kids
Replace a broken string on a pull-chain light
Hang pictures, mirrors, etc.
Replace a broken pull-cord on a small engine

Security

Improvise handcuffs
Tie an intruder to a chair
Improvise a trip-wire alarm

Boating

Tie a boat, canoe or kayak to a tree
Make a tow line
Repair a damaged sail
Replace a broken pull-cord on an outboard motor
Replace a broken ski rope

Knives & tools

Make a lanyard for keys, knife, etc.
Make a tool belt
Wrap the handle of a knife, axe, flashlight or other tool
Improvise a strop

Crafts

Make a paracord bracelet
Make a watch strap
Make a belt
Make a hammock
Make a bullwhip

Miscellany

Use inner strands as dental floss
Make a hair tie or headband
Improvise a bore snake for cleaning a firearm barrel