In the realm of outdoor adventures and emergency preparedness, the paracord survival bracelet stands out as a symbol of readiness and versatility. These compact accessories are not just a piece of gear; they are a lifeline in the wilderness, combining numerous survival functions in a wearable format that’s always within reach.
Whether you’re an avid camper, an enthusiastic hiker, or someone who values preparedness, understanding the critical features of a paracord survival bracelet is key to making an informed decision. This guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge to select a paracord bracelet that aligns with your outdoor adventures and survival needs, highlighting the importance of tensile strength, hidden functionalities, and overall design.
Prepare to delve into the Paracord Survival Bracelet Buyer’s Guide, where safety meets convenience in the form of a bracelet that could be crucial in a survival scenario.
Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet (2 Pack)
Be Ready to Survive Without Stuffing Your Backpack - Find the 5 camping gear must haves in just one bracelet: fire starter, reliable compass, loud emergency whistle, ferro rod striker and 12 feet of military-grade paracord.
A2S K2 Peak Paracord Survival Bracelet
5-IN-1 SURVIVAL TOOL: K2-peak is a complete paracord survival bracelet - Disaster Preparedness Kit - that includes: High-Quality Compass. Emergency Whistle creates noise levels of up to 100db. Comes with a useful leaflet with instructions, survival tips & ideas.
MQQC Kissmi 10 Pack Paracord Bracelet
10 Pieces 5-IN-1 Survival Paracord Bracelet 5Tools: fire starter, reliable compass, loud emergency whistle, emergency knife
Why has paracord become so essential for almost all outdoor enthusiasts? The following guide will help address that by showcasing why it is so special. I will go a step further and review the paracord bracelet, the different types of paracord, and their various uses. Please read on and get to know what you are looking for.
What Is Paracord?
Paracord (parachute cord) or 550 cord is a lightweight rope made of kernmantle nylon with several strands inside. It was primarily used by soldiers in World War II for parachuting but has since been enhanced for personal and commercial use.
What’s So Special about Paracord?
The all-nylon design of paracord makes it rigid such that it can hold incredible weights of more than 550 lbs. It is weather-resistant and cannot mildew or rot even under extreme weather conditions. It is also a versatile tool that can be modified for various uses to suit your needs, regardless of the situation. For example, camping and outdoor enthusiasts ensure to include it in their survival gear kits as it can get utilized in many life-saving scenarios such as making shelter, lighting fire, fishing, and so much more.
What Can I Use Paracord For?
If you are looking for a tool you can use to accomplish various tasks when you are out in the woods, a paracord fits the crown. Since people undertake many tasks every day and always invent ways to make work easier, you will find that paracord projects are unlimited. However, the main focus here will be how to use it as a survival tool.
1. Make a Fire
Fire is the ultimate survival tool. Without it, chances of surviving the outdoors become unrealistic. Paracord ensures you have the means to start one because it has inner strands that are flammable. You can, therefore, use them as fire starters by utilizing the bow and thrill method. Since it has a slippery design, use two strands and wrap them together to make a bowstring.
Gather dry or dead pawpaw, willow, or cedar softwood to make the drilling process straightforward. If you are looking for efficiency, the Arctic version offers an extra-long strand. Make the bow by wrapping the drill several times without overlapping. It helps increase traction on the drill.
2. Go fishing
The inner strands of paracord make long and excellent fishing lines. The thick lines may make it hard to fish in clear water, but you can conceal them by letting some strands hang closer to the hook. It makes the process more effective.
3. Replace the laces in your boots
If you lose your shoelaces or they wear out, use paracord to make makeshift laces. In fact, instead of trusting your shoelaces to cope under extreme off-road terrain, use them from the start and have a hassle-free experience.
4. Tie Extra Items to Your Backpack
Backpacking is strenuous because you have to choose what to carry and leave. You may get forced to leave vital gear because of inadequate space. To help you pack extra items, use a paracord to tie them around your backpack.
5. Build Shelter
Building a rigid shelter is imperative in the wild because it helps you stay warm at night and helps keep insects and wild animals at bay. Paracord is a great tool for building shelters if you don’t have a tent because it is water-resistant and tough. Gather foliage and branches and tie them together to make an impromptu shelter.
6. Make A Washing Line.
You don’t expect to find pre-made washing lines in the woods. Make one using a paracord by tying it in between trees. The advantage is that you can untie it when you decide to move to a different location.
7. First Aid
Although you should always carry a first aid kit when roaming outdoors, circumstances like forgetting it may force you to improvise when you get injured. You can use the inner strands of the paracord to stitch a wound. Afterward, get medical help as soon as possible.
8. Make Traps
Trapping is a necessary survival skill set for campers. With paracord, you get the deal platform to set snares, deadfalls, mantraps, and fish traps. To help conceal the traps, use the inner straps to make them small. Setting traps is advantageous because they allow you to focus on other tasks.
9. Make a Bow
Paracord makes excellent survival bow strings. The process is pretty straightforward because you only need a flexible sapling, fixed-blade knife, paracord, and tree shoots for arrows and feathers. In the end, you get a backup option to acquire food through hunting. You will need some target practice to make the process successful.
10. Make a Raft
You can use a paracord to make a raft to cross the river. Since it is strong, you get the guarantee that it will not break when you tie parts of the makeshift raft together.
Types of Paracord
There are primarily six types of cord. However, since technology is advancing, there are newer versions. The various types have distinct features in terms of quality, strength, and function. Below is a detailed analysis:
1. Type I Paracord
Type I paracord features a 95 pounds breaking strength, a 30% stretch, and boasts 950 feet of cordage per pound. It has the smallest diameter since you get one and 16 strands in the inner and outer sheath respectively. It is cheap, lightweight, and has low-weight capabilities.
2. Type IA Paracord
It features a 100 pounds breaking strength, a 30% stretch, and measures 1,050 feet for each pound. The outer mantle strands feature rigid nylon. However, there is no inner core. Type IA paracord is ideal for smaller projects like decorative designs because of its low weight capacity.
3. Type II Paracord
Type II paracord has a 400-pound breaking strength, 30% strength, and measures 265 feet for each pound. Manufacturers achieve incredible rigidness by incorporating the mantle with 32 nylon strands and the core with 4-7 inner nylon strands. Many commercial outlets offer this paracord.
4. Type IIA Paracord
It is a type II paracord but without an inner core. Its breaking strength is 225 pounds, measures 495 feet for each pound of cordage, and boasts a 30% strength. It is ideal for small projects like lanyards and bracelets.
5. Type III Paracord
Also known as 550cord, Type III paracord boasts a 550-pound breaking strength and a 30% elongation spec, and for each pound of cordage, you get 225 feet. When your friend tells you about paracord, they are certainly referring to this type. Its core features 7 nylon strands and the mantle 32 strands.
Most projects like aesthetics, utility, and survival kits use this brand.
6. Type IV Paracord
Type IV paracord is like the Type II paracord but with a higher weight capability (750 pounds). It offers 165 feet of cordage per pound and a 30% stretch. The cord is rigid because of the 11 inner core strands and upto 41 sheath strands.
What Is A Paracord Survival Bracelet?
A paracord survival bracelet is a gadget that features in-built signaling, well-being, and navigation specs. You will find many models on the market, but many share standard features, including
- A compass
- 550 paracord
- A fire starter
- A whistle
- A flashlight
- Small multitool
Sizing Your Survival Bracelet to Your Wrist
Sizing your survival bracelet to your wrist is straightforward. You don’t need professional help. You will need a piece of rope or string, a measuring tape, or a ruler, and then follow the guideline below for a hassle-free experience.
- Take the string and wrap it around the wrist such that it meets itself
- Mark both meeting points using a pen
- Measure the space between the points to have your wrist size
Use the measurement to size your survival bracelet or buy one that suits your specifications. Ensure you add an extra inch to the measurement to maximize comfort.
The paracord in your survival bracelet boasts the above uses of a paracord. The whistle will signal rescuers in case you are in danger, the flashlight helps you see at night, and the compass to get a sense of direction.
If you are a survival enthusiast, a survival bracelet is a must piece of gear for you to have
Paracord Survival Bracelet Buyer’s Guide Final Take
Paracord has revolutionized outdoor living because of its versatility. It allows people to solve impromptu scenarios without much effort. The fact that it is lightweight and does not take up much space is an added advantage. You will not find a better and more worthy companion than paracord, especially the paracord survival bracelet. Acquire one today and have a little extra piece of mind.