Paracord is widely used in survival settings, including by the military, to help with tasks where strength is important. It can also prove to be a useful tool for preppers for several reasons.

In this article we explore the different strengths and colours of paracord that are available, as well as some uses for survival settings.

Features Of Paracord Types

Paracord comes in a range of different thicknesses. These are designed to have different benefits for the user, as outlined here:

Nano Paracord – this is the thinnest type of paracord available measuring only 0.75mm and has a tensile strength of up to 36lbs.

Micro Paracord – measuring 1.18mm in diameter and with a tensile strength of up to 100lbs, this type of paracord is best suited for making things such as necklaces and bracelets.

95 Paracord – this type of paracord is somewhere in between the Nano and Micro Paracords. It is typically used for making things like bracelets and wind chimes.

275 Paracord – this measures at 2mm in diameter and has a breaking strength of at least 275lbs. This type of paracord is good for making lanyards as it is both strong, but also contained inner material that adds to the strength and versatility of the paracord.

325 Paracord – measing 2mm in diameter again, but made up of 3 core strands, this type of paracord can hold weights up to 325lbs. It is typically used for making keychains and belts.

425 Paracord – stronger again, this type of paracord is 3mm in diameter and with 3 inner strands, making it useful for making buckles and other more intense projects.

550 Paracord – regarded as the best type of paracord for preppers in survival settings, this measures 4mm in diameter and has between 7 and 9 strands within its core. It also has a breaking strength of 550lbs, and as a result, is extremely versatile.

650 Paracord – with 4 puffy inner strands and measuring 4mm in diameter, this type of paracord is designed with heavy-duty projects in mind.

750 Paracord – this type of paracord is for tactical prepper uses and can cope with securing large loads, measuring 5mm in diameter and with 11 inner strands.

Based on this, it is evident that the thickness of the paracord correlates with its strength. However, although this is the case, the material inside also plays a role in the strength of the paracord, so it important to consider this when selecting the best paracord for yourself as a pro-active prepper.

Colours Of Paracord

Paracord comes in a range of colours and preppers can buy paracord wristbands already made in a selection of colours choices. Although it comes down to preference, some colours of paracord are considered more desirable and useful in a survival setting than others.

You can buy paracord online in over 50 different colours to suit your needs, but the most versatile group of colours for paracord are black, tan, camouflage and charcoal. This is because they can blend in with any project that you are creating but can also be used to contrast against each other.

Secondly, there are also a range of brightly coloured paracords that could be useful for projects in which you want to achieve a stark contrast.

These colours include white, blue, red, yellow, and green. These colours can also be used as flags, since most flags in the world consist of a mixture of these colours (perhaps with the addition of black from the first group).

As well as this, there are an abundance of other colours that can be used including purple, orange, lilac, and baby blue to name a few.

Although these still function as paracord, so would still be useful to British preppers in a survival setting, they do not have the camouflage effect of the first group of colours, nor the brightest from the second group to achieve contrasts, so are generally deemed as less desirable.

However, if this is all you have lying around, it will do the job. You can even buy paracord kits to learn how to make your own paracord bracelets, an ideal parent child activity for prepper parents.  

Uses Of Paracord For Preppers

Paracord is a very versatile piece of equipment and can be used for a multitude of tasks for UK preppers. Some of the main ones include:

Starting a fire – the synthetic materials that paracord is made from (typically nylon or polyester) are highly flammable and so can be used when fire making resources are scarce.

Securing food – preppers will know that they won’t be alone in the forest. There will be plenty of others around, including animals, who will be after our food supplies. Paracord can be used to attach the food high up in a tree to make it more secure. This is ideal if you need to leave the area for foraging or any other reason.

Building a bow – as paracord is so strong, it can be used on the string when making a bow to shoot arrows or for a bow drill. 

Setting traps – either as a whole or broken into thinner strands, the paracord can be used in a range of traps such as deadfalls and snares.

Fishing – although thicker than a typical fishing line, the inner parts of the paracord can be used for fishing in murkier waters where the fish are less likely to notice. Paracord can also be frayed to create fish bait.

Creating a bola – paracord can be tied around to make the bola, which can then be used to help with hunting or as protection.

Cutting through zip ties – if for some reason in a survival situation you find yourself bound by zip ties, then you can use paracord to help you escape. This is because paracord is very strong and can be used in a sawing action to heat up and cut through things like plastic zip ties, allowing for a quick and easy escape.

Shelter building – from securing the structure to creating a washing line, the uses of paracord in your survival shelter are endless. And even with the wet British weather, the waterproof element of the paracord will be robust enough to keep you secure (and more importantly, dry!)

Check out our article here for a full list of all the uses of paracord.

Summary

Paracord is an essential tool for preppers as it is so versatile. Stocking up on the size and colours depending on your needs would be a good way to prepare for survival settings, knowing that they are robust enough to stand our ever-changing British weather, making it possible to get out there and start practising.