Bryan Lynch - Paracord Projects for Camping and Outdoor Survival

Note: While paracord is an extremely strong and versatile material, it should never be substituted for proper climbing rope and gear.

2021 by Bryan Lynch and Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

Paracord Projects for Camping and Outdoor Survival is an original work, first published in 2021 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holders.

Print ISBN 9781497100459

eISBN 9781607657347

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019024142

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Because working with paracord and other materials inherently includes the risk of injury and damage, this book cannot guarantee that creating the projects in this book is safe for everyone. For this reason, this book is sold without warranties or guarantees of any kind, expressed or implied, and the publisher and the author disclaim any liability for any injuries, losses, or damages caused in any way by the content of this book or the readers use of the tools needed to complete the projects presented here. The publisher and the author urge all readers to thoroughly review each project and to understand the use of all tools before beginning any project.

Illustrations by the author.

Photographs other than those listed taken by the author.

Some of the paracord and hardware used in this book were provided by Pepperell Braiding Company.

To my stunning wife, Nikki.

Although I grew up hunting, fishing, and camping, it was only about fifteen years ago when I first started learning about the wonders of paracord and its many outdoor applications. Paracord is extremely versatile, easy to work with, and affordable. It comes in almost any color or pattern design you could want. I used it to make bracelets, lanyards, dog leashes, dog collars, monkey fists, water bottle holders, slings, beltsthe list goes on. At one point, I was making so many things out of paracord that I had almost 20,000 feet (more than 6,000 meters) of it stored in my basement. Thats when I decided I had made enough projects for myself!

In the following chapters, I discuss how to use paracord in two ways. First, I give a walkthrough of how to make functional items at home that can be taken into the field and broken down and used in a survival situation. Second, I show you how to use paracord in survival situations (such as making shelters, tools, and so forth).

As Benjamin Franklin wrote, By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Survival situations can come upon us before we even realize what has happened. In such times, nature doesnt follow our plans. Obviously, one can survive without paracord, but having it with you can be invaluable.

My hope in writing this book is that the projects, tips, and my own experimentation will better acquaint you with paracord and how you can utilize it to its full potential when everything is falling apart.

Paracord is useful anddare I say it?fashionable.

Allied troops parachuting into the Netherlands in 1944.

To understand why paracord is so useful, we should know a little history behind this amazing cordage product. In 1935, American chemist Wallace Carothers (18961937), working for DuPont, created a new synthetic material that came to be called nylon. At that time, parachutes were primarily made from silk. However, silk was in short supply because it relies on the silkworm to make ita slow method of production. Since nylon was quicker to produce, and stronger, it replaced silk in parachutes. Nylon was also used to make the suspension linesparachute cord, aka paracordfor the parachutes. When World War II paratroopers landed on the ground, they would cut the cordage from their chutes and use it to make straps and tie up gear.

Perfect Paracord!

Did you know that paracord is awesome adventure material?

Its mildew resistant.

It shrinks only a little when wet.

Just about the only thing that will degrade it over time is ultraviolet light.

Pictured from top to bottom: type 95 paracord with one yarn, type 325 paracord with three yarns, and type III 550 paracord with seven yarns.

Although it was (and to some extent, still is) primarily a military product, paracord has many civilian uses today. It is especially popular with outdoorspeople, emergency responders, and crafters. It has become so popular, and even trendy, that youve probably seen people wearing paracord bracelets and other accessories as part of their daily wardrobe.

There are several different types of paracord but the most common is type III, often referred to as 550 cord. One piece of cordage can hold 550 pounds (250 kilograms) of static weight. (But dont grab your 550 cord and head for the nearest mountain! Paracord should not be substituted for an actual climbing rope.)

It is important to know the difference between knockoff paracord and real paracordespecially if your life is on the line (pun intended!). Read on to find out how.