Reasons to Buy a Multipurpose Paracord for Your Bug Out Bag

A rope that is strong enough to be used in a spacewalking repair but is still available at an affordable price definitely has a place in your bug out bag. This holds true even if you count every gram of weight in the bag, as this piece is incredibly lightweight to carry.

Of course, we are talking about paracord, also known as parachute cord because it was introduced as a suspension line for paratroopers in World War II. It’s easy to recognize it since its distinctive features really stand out when compared to other ropes on the market. Some go for it on account of its 7 inner strands of core that are tough to beat. Others choose it for its remarkable tensile strength which can handle stress equivalent to 249 kg of load. And then, there are those who buy it for its resistance to mildew, UV rays and rot.

None of the ‘always ready’ blokes who go for military grade paracord make a mistake because hardly any rope in the civilian world can measure up to it. Paracord is the ultimate general purpose utility cord with more uses than you can think of.

Securing a Shelter

Setting up a makeshift shelter is paramount for getting through an overnight survival situation. You need protection from the elements, especially water (rain), and you need to put something between yourself and the bugs. Some have the luxury of camping in a proper tent in the outback with camping supplies that bring a higher degree of comfort.

When these are outside your reach, you need to use what you have to build a shelter. You can make an A-frame tent with a large piece of tarp and paracord. All you have to do is secure the rope on two tree trunks and put the cloth on top. This is the most basic way to do it, however, if your skills are advanced you are free to go ahead and create something more substantial.

Emergency Fishing Line

You can certainly do some fishing with paracords. Fishing lines need be thin, so how can you get from a 7 layered rope to a line that falls inconspicuously into a body of water? How do you gut a paracord? If you do it improperly it will take you hours, if you do it skillfully it will take seconds.

Despite its reputation for superior strength you can take a sharp knife and separate the sheath from the paracord core. You strap the bare core to an object. It can be a tree branch or any L shaped rod. You tie the bare core to the object with several granny knots and then you let go and pull the other end continuously until the sheath comes off.

You can put the paracord inner string to use immediately by attaching a fishing hook. If your comprehensive fishing tackle is nowhere near you, then you will have to improvise. That is not as hard as you think. You can either go with live lures from your environment or if your paracord string has flashy colours you can even make a lure out of the sheath.

Fire Starter

Since you already have a gutted paracord rope on your hands, why not use it as tinder for your fire? The core of some types of paracord is waxed and highly flammable under any conditions (including wet and humid environments). You can use them as fuel for your fire. Obviously, the rest of the twigs, sticks and logs have to be in close proximity.

Just because we are talking about survival it doesn’t mean that you need to do everything with your bare teeth. Having a good quality multitool (another bug out bag essential) will make the process way easier. Some come with a ferrocerium rod, while you can also get this fire starting item separately.

Improvised Weapon

A paracord string by itself can only serve to set up a trap and this will only work if your target actually gets trapped in it. Since this occurrence is highly unlikely unless you are experienced unconventional hunter, you can use the cord as a part of more aggressive weapons. A slingshot or a bow would be some of the simplest examples, where the survival paracord can be used to hurl projectiles (sharp-pointed sticks or rocks) at your dinner for the day. Just put the cord under tension and the rest is a matter of practice.

Rescue Line

Bug out scenarios usually revolve around sudden natural or man-made disasters. So you can include paracord in your bag even if you are not that savvy with tying knots or any other sophisticated steps towards an enhanced rope utility. Parachute rope can be used to recover a person that simply fell into a cave or into a body of water. In such a case, you just need to make sure the rope is not entangled and is ready to be deployed. Having such a piece in an emergency can make the difference between life and death.