Although initially manufactured specifically for the United States Military in World War II, Paracord has become extraordinarily popular for use by many different types of people with many different types projects. Its small diameter, typically around 1/8th or 5/32nd of an inch, mold and mildew resistance, exceptional break strength, often in excess of 550 pounds, economical price and broad availability make Paracord an ideal type of rope or cord to use for many, many purposes.
We prefer “real” MilSpec Paracord manufactured to the strict specifications of MilSpec C-5040H, rather than the inconsistent manufacturing standards for commercial paracord.
Download your own copy of MIL-C-5040H here.
Here are some of the uses for Paracord that we’ve come to learn about, although this list is, no doubt, far from complete:
Clothesline Secure luggage or gear Lashing or whipping Shoe and boot laces
Sandal strap Emergency stitches Start a fire Bow drill Tourniquet
Grips on knife, ax, hatchet, saw Rifle sling Support a tent or lean-to
Holder strap for eyeglasses or sunglasses Zipper pull Tie bundles of twigs or branches
Learn to tie knots Binoculars strap Whistle lanyard Flashlight lanyard
Pull out a loose tooth Make a perimeter fence Make a net
Tie beer together to submerge for cooling Tie a door open or closed
Hang a sign Fish stringer Tie a label onto a suitcase or luggage Phone case
Macrame projects Bottle holder Bracelets Key fobs Keychains
Self-defense weapon Mark off “wet paint” area Dog collar Dog leash
Dog run line Sew on a button or clothes Dental floss Tie a fly for fishing
Snare or trap Fishing line or trotline Repair wicker furniture Necklace
Secure electrical or electronic cords together Crabbing Tie or lash boats together
String Christmas lights or other decorative lights Tie or lash boats to the dock
Tie climbing vines to trellis Tie an inner tube raft together Rescue gear for ice or lakes
Tie surfboard to ankle bracelet Attach water bottle to backpack or belt
Parachute cord for parachute Sling or splint for injured limb Restring baseball glove
“soft patch” repair on hose or Pipe String cans together for an Alarm
String “Just Married” cans together and tie to a car Wind chimes
Suspend food out of reach from Animals Tie trash can lid to the trash can
Hang a bicycle in the garage Hang a pickup topper or canoe in the garage
Strap for purse or bag Attach boat bumpers to a boat Basketball hoop net
Tie car trunk open or closed Snowshoes Flag halyard line Hammock
Hang a bird feeder Pull dead tree branches down from a tree Fencing
Bundle firewood together Drag timber out of the woods Throwing line
Secure a boat anchor Lacing lamellar armor Fly a kite Hang a pinata
Groomsmen “survival pack” gift Mark off a “newly seeded” lawn
Tie computer and printer cables together Tie extension cords together
Hang tools in the garage Secure antenna to roof of house
Mark off “wet concrete” areaTie hanks of paracord to prevent Tangling
Hang rolls of duct tape in garage Fish wires through pipe or Conduit
Cat toy Tie shutters open or closed Tie bbq cover onto bbq grill
Tie Picnic Table umbrella closed Hang a picture Tie groups of folding chairs Together
Tie up rolls of carpet Pull a toboggan or sled Tie bales of hay
Tie a rolled yoga mat “Redneck” suspenders Tie bundles of clothing together
Tie goose or duck decoys together or to a weight Hang grill brush to bbq grill
We think these are activities where Paracord would come in handy:
Scuba diving All terrain vehicles Fishing Camping Backpacking
Boating, canoeing, rafting Hiking Deer and elk camps Picnics
Painting a house or building Arts and crafts School Projects Household moving
Here are some of the people we know who use Paracord:
Hobbyists Law enforcement personnel Military personnel
National Guard Military Reservists Paramilitary personnel
Emergency Medical Services EMT’s Paramedics
First Response personnel Firefighters Survivalists Landscapers
Bicyclists Warehouse personnel Logging and lumber personnel
Roofers Home builders Surfers Road and street construction
Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts Household movers Truckers
Farmers and Ranchers Students Teachers
These are some of the places where paracord could be kept on hand:
Garages Home “miscellaneous” drawer Survival “bug out” bag
Fishing Tackle boxes Ammo box Camping box Backpack
Car and truck trunks Glove boxes Boat
And we’re SURE that you can think of MORE!