550 cord... list the uses in a survival scenario

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 550 cord... list the uses in a survival scenario

Posted: 3/4/2010 11:46:02 AM EDT

I can think about securing a knife to a long pole to make a spear weapon

Posted: 3/4/2010 11:50:14 AM EDT

[#1]

Shoe laces

Clothes line

Tying stuff up

Restraints

Pull apart the inner strands for floss

Drape a tarp over it for a tent

Posted: 3/4/2010 11:50:40 AM EDT

[#2]

Make a Shelter.
Fish.
Lashing things places.
Entertaining yourself.

ETA:

Sling for a weapon
Part of a splint
Trip wire

Posted: 3/4/2010 12:11:04 PM EDT

[#3]

I have a bracelet made out of 550 cord given to me by a recon marine I lived with because I out shot a bunch of them at a range in Kabul. Not really life saving, but still cool.

Pretty hard for them to digest that a former Air Force intel guy turned contractor had the high score at the defensive shooting course. It was still a lot of fun.

Posted: 3/4/2010 12:22:00 PM EDT

[#4]

Garotte.

Posted: 3/4/2010 12:23:12 PM EDT

[#5]

In addition to the above stuff

Make a fire bow
hauling stuff up or lowering it down
Pull yourself out of quicksand

String around your camp to rig an alarm
tourniquet
belt
make a bolas
bore snake
trail markers
hauling game
stringing game or birds to your waist (or wherever)
making primitive weapons (sling, tomahawk, bow, etc)

OK, that's enough. Have to leave some for the next guy.

Posted: 3/4/2010 12:35:41 PM EDT

[#6]

might be easier to list the stuff you can't use it for. That stuff is very versitle, LOL

J-

Posted: 3/4/2010 12:42:39 PM EDT

[#7]

I just bought 1000 feet of the stuff and now realize it's not enough.

Posted: 3/4/2010 1:35:55 PM EDT

[#8]

I just realized another couple of uses that I have already used 550 for:

Making a bridle for a horse
Saddle/tack repairs in the field

I wonder if the OP is getting the hint yet?

ETA:

Pack repairs
Key ring
lanyard
hang stuff out of a bear's reach
make snares (this one may have already been said...don't remember)

Posted: 3/4/2010 2:57:37 PM EDT

[#9]

Making emergency string bikinis for hot survivalist chicks.

Posted: 3/4/2010 3:12:20 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Making emergency string bikinis for hot survivalist chicks.

winner winner chicken dinner

just make sure you weave it in such a way that you can pull one end and it all comes apart =)

Posted: 3/4/2010 3:41:06 PM EDT

[#11]

Tag!

Posted: 3/4/2010 4:04:38 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Making emergency string bikinis for hot survivalist chicks.

winner winner chicken dinner

just make sure you weave it in such a way that you can pull one end and it all comes apart =)

Tag for pics and instructions

Posted: 3/4/2010 4:16:51 PM EDT

[#13]

Fire starting tinder
a bic lighter and a ball of paracord is all you need

knife handle

Posted: 3/4/2010 5:34:01 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Fire starting tinder

a bic lighter and a ball of paracord is all you need

knife handle

I keep some jute twine around for this purpose. You can use it as a "nest" for a glowing ember and blow it into a flame easily. It's no substitute for the strength of paracord, and you should ALWAYS have paracord handy, but the jute twine can be used for some of the things paracord can, and makes a better fire starter, IMO.

Posted: 3/4/2010 8:20:08 PM EDT

[#15]

wow. a lot of uses I have never thought of

I wrapped a few feet of it around my knife scabbard just in case...

Posted: 3/4/2010 10:57:08 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Fire starting tinder

a bic lighter and a ball of paracord is all you need

knife handle

I keep some jute twine around for this purpose. You can use it as a "nest" for a glowing ember and blow it into a flame easily. It's no substitute for the strength of paracord, and you should ALWAYS have paracord handy, but the jute twine can be used for some of the things paracord can, and makes a better fire starter, IMO.

This is a good way to do it.

Posted: 3/5/2010 4:49:47 AM EDT

[#17]

Guide wire for 60 foot fiberglass antenna mast.

Using it to raise and support wire antennas /roll up antennas

Trot line

Anchor line for small boats

Pull equip up a ledge after you climbed it

Emergency belt , auto or pants .

on and on

Posted: 3/5/2010 5:18:38 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

I can think about securing a knife to a long pole to make a spear weapon

If it comes to the point where you're putting your knife on a pole you're already dead....

Posted: 3/5/2010 5:27:22 AM EDT

[#19]

Holding doors open in a building search.

Posted: 3/5/2010 6:23:44 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
I can think about securing a knife to a long pole to make a spear weapon

You could just sharpen the pole and not risk losing/damaging your knife. It's a damned important tool to risk like that.

Posted: 3/5/2010 7:08:03 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I can think about securing a knife to a long pole to make a spear weapon

If it comes to the point where you're putting your knife on a pole you're already dead....

I was thinking of hunting game for food, it worked for the Indians sometimes

Posted: 3/5/2010 7:30:34 AM EDT

[#22]

Think about how many uses duct tape has. That is roughly how many 550 has. Infinite!

Posted: 3/5/2010 12:10:04 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I can think about securing a knife to a long pole to make a spear weapon

If it comes to the point where you're putting your knife on a pole you're already dead....

I was thinking of hunting game for food, it worked for the Indians sometimes

They also did it with sharpened sticks, why ruin a good tool..... I take out the string and replace it with #85 test Spiderwire. It can be used for snaring, fishing line and many other uses... Defensor Fortis

Posted: 3/5/2010 12:40:26 PM EDT

[#24]

choking out the 300lb ape that raided your camp in the middle of the night.

Posted: 3/5/2010 2:40:28 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I can think about securing a knife to a long pole to make a spear weapon

If it comes to the point where you're putting your knife on a pole you're already dead....

I was thinking of hunting game for food, it worked for the Indians sometimes

They also did it with sharpened sticks, why ruin a good tool..... I take out the string and replace it with #85 test Spiderwire. It can be used for snaring, fishing line and many other uses... Defensor Fortis

hey, a small spool of Spiderwire would a great thing to have along with the 550

thanks for the idea..good thinking

Posted: 3/5/2010 3:25:16 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
choking out the 300lb ape that raided your camp in the middle of the night.

Why was Rosie O'Donnell out in the woods?

550 can also be used if you go camping with a kinky girl [Yes I actually have a girl in mind... And we're supposed to go camping...

]

Or you know use it for field expedient fixes.

Posted: 3/5/2010 4:18:06 PM EDT

[#27]

I am definitely putting 100 ft in my bug out bag

Posted: 3/5/2010 6:17:25 PM EDT

[#28]

Sewing: to repair clothing, back packs and any other fabric gear.
Peel the 550 cord down to the smaller fibers, use them like a strong sewing thread.

Also peel them down to smaller fibers and you have fishing line.

For tying down tarps and such that don't have grommets, without punching a hole in them,
using the small round stone method.
Place a small stone at the corner you want to tie, wrap the cord around the stone, with the tarp material bunch around it.
Untie it when finished, the 550 cord and tarp material are then both re-usable.

Also, you can make a leash for your chicken and take it for a walk.
No lie, I was in Appalachia many years ago, and saw this with my own eyes. A guy walking a chicken.
Some things you just never forget.