Like duct tape, paracord has such a wide range of uses that every outdoor lover should carry a supply whenever out in the field. While a roll of duct tape isn’t that laborious to carry around, paracord can be fashioned into a bracelet or easily stored in a pocket, giving it an advantage in the survival arena.
There are dozens, maybe hundreds of ways to use paracord in the outdoors, but here are five uses for paracord in the outdoors that can be lifesavers in remote areas. It is a good rule of thumb to carry a few hundred feet in your pack, but any length of paracord can be useful in the wild!
1. Hunting
In addition to hydration, food is one of the most critical aspects of survival. If you’re suddenly faced with spending several days in backcountry, paracord can be used to make a bush bow. Cut several saplings to the height of the shooter’s shoulders and tie the pieces together at both ends and the middle. Unwind half the diameter of the cord to use as a bowstring. Use individual fibers of paracord to tie broadheads, made of stone or bone, to the ends of arrow shafts.
2. Fishing
High in protein and healthy fats, fish is perhaps the ultimate survival food. If stranded near a river or lake, unwind and separate about a dozen individual fibers from the main section of paracord. Braid the fibers back together to make fishing line. Fashion fishing hooks by sharpening two narrow 1/2-inch long twigs to points at both ends and tie twigs together in an “X” pattern with strands of paracord. Bait all four points off the hook with worms, which can usually be found under rocks.
3. Injury
An injured limb miles from help is one of the most dangerous situations an outdoorsman can face. For broken bones or ankle sprains, tie lengths of sticks along opposing sides of the injured limb with paracord. Make slings to support injured arms by cutting lengths of paracord long enough to wrap around the back of the neck and under the limb.
4. Shelter
Being stuck in the outdoors overnight, while inconvenient, isn’t a death sentence, and you may find it surprisingly easy to construct your shelter if you’re carrying paracord. Lash saplings together to construct a shelter frame, and then tie a tarp or poncho to the frame with paracord. If you don’t have a tarp or poncho on hand, cut a bundle of pine boughs and lash them to the frame instead.
5. Mobility
Being caught in a blizzard miles into the woods can turn into a serious situation very quickly, especially if you’re not able to hike out through deep snow and must create shelter. You can actually make an emergency pair of snowshoes by breaking or cutting boughs off pine trees and tying the tip of the bough to its base with paracord to make the footwear. Once secured, you can tie the bough securely to your feet with more paracord.
Related articles: How Paracord Became the Survival Staple of Today, 5 Survival Uses for Paracord, 5 Reasons to Always Carry Paracord on Your Outdoor Adventures
Photo from Dave Sicilia/Unsplash
