During World War II, the parachute cord was used as a suspension cord for parachutes. However, as paratroopers encountered challenging situations on a day-to-day basis, they did not take long to discover the numerous inventive ways to use the cord for survival. Today, parachute cord — more commonly known as paracord — is used in various applications and by a broad spectrum of people and sold by American companies like Tough Grid.
One of the best things about paracord is that it can be worn in many fashionable ways — you can wear it as a bracelet, necklace, belt, and even a watch. Then, if you get into an unexpected situation while exploring the wilderness, you can easily disassemble your accessory and make your personal survival tool.
The most common paracord these days is paracord “750,” where the “750” refers to the cord’s minimum breaking strength in pounds. A 750 paracord is made up of seven strands of two-ply threads and has an inner core. When you are out shopping for a paracord, please pay close attention to the number next to it because a cord with a lower number will not be as strong and may not be the survival tool you need. So, if nothing else, keep the number on your paracord in mind — your life could depend on it someday.
Paracord Survival Tools Ideas
Making DIY paracord survival tools is fun, but learning to take apart paracord items is also necessary. This will help you be prepared if you find yourself in an emergency where you need to act quickly to create a viable survival tool.
Survival tools made of 750 paracord are truly amazing. When you find yourself in an emergency situation, there are practically limitless ways to use paracord. Let’s discuss some of its most common applications below:
- If you have forgotten or misplaced your toothbrush, you can use your paracord to floss your teeth.
- You can start a fire with a paracord, but you will need to disassemble a cigarette lighter to get the flint first.
- You can use a paracord to replace a broken shoelace.
- You can use a piece of paracord around the handle of your knife for a better and more comfortable grip. This will increase the power and accuracy of your knife.
- You can use a paracord for the fishing line.
- You can make a shelter out of paracord by stringing it between two trees and covering it with a tarp or even ponchos.
You can make your own 750 paracord accessory/tool or buy it — it is entirely up to you. Remember that you do not have to make your paracord items if you are not skilled or interested in do-it-yourself projects. In fact, because paracord items are so readily available and affordable, shopping for them may be a task in and of itself. There are more options than you may think at military surplus stores and on the Internet. 750 paracord comes in various colors, and you can even mix and match them to create some pretty eye-catching pairings.
So now that you know a little bit more about 750 paracords, you might notice that some of the wristbands, necklaces, or belts people wear are made of paracord. What will be your first paracord purchase? Have fun with whatever you decide!