Why paracord?

I wouldn't use it as a lifeline either. The point I think we need to make is that hanging a 550# weight at the end of a line is a lot different than dropping it off a ledge connected to the line. You could probably hang static from 550 cord, but you cannot rappel with it.
 
I remember someone posting once that they used true 550 paracord to suspend their hammock. It broke at the knot and dumped them on their butt.
 
chewbacca said:
I wouldn't use it as a lifeline either. The point I think we need to make is that hanging a 550# weight at the end of a line is a lot different than dropping it off a ledge connected to the line. You could probably hang static from 550 cord, but you cannot rappel with it.
Click to expand...

I feel the need to clarify what I was saying, since it seems like it's been taken out of context, at least that's how I feel.

I don't think that paracord should ever be used as a lifeline if there is anything else available. But lets face it, you may find yourself in a SHTF situation, and that might be the only thing you have on you. In that situation, if your gonna die anyway, why not give it a shot? At least thats how I look at it......

But in most normal situations I was saying that paracord is very strong and could be used for all sorts of things. And since it's fairly cheap, isn't heavy, and doesn't take up a lot of room it's something you can keep on hand. Like someone else said, it's a lot like duct tape. In the right situations, and keeping it's limitations in mind, it has tons of uses.

And I think that's something to keep in mind when considering any type of gear, everything has it's limitations. Keep those in mind, and don't expect anything spectacular if you feel the need to go beyond those limits.
 
here is a few numbers to keep in mind

You start with 550 LB strength. This is rated on a machine (dynanometer) that pulls the rope/cord in a straight line until it breaks. the rope is fastened to the anchor point and the meter, using a tensionless hitch. This hitch is the only hitch that retains 100% of the rope strength, as there are no knots at the anchor points.

so we get a reading of 550lbs for sample "A". That reading is when the rope is brand new and unused.

next, the rope is packaged for shipping, rolled up tight on a spool. It sits on a warehouse for months before being shipped out to a distrubotr. At this point you have around 5 - 10% degradation. (aging). So you have a loss of strength already, before the rope is even bought and used.

next, it is shipped off to the store, some might hit the shelves, some sits in stock for several months. Lets say a hank of 200 feet is sold. Customer throws it in his pack , where it sits unused, coiled up tight until summer hiking season. Another 5- 10% degradation (aging). now you have a rope thats aorund 75% of its orignial rated load rating.

Hiker dude goes hiking and uses the rope for a clothesline. It gets wet, shrinks and expands several times, is tensioned by the clothes and wind, and is knotted several times. As well the sun (UV) and ozone and chemicals in the air further attack the rope. End of the camping trip rope is coiled up tight again (many bends and twists) , its dirty, wet and packed away like this for several more months.

by now you have 50% loss in strength. Down to 250 lbs or so.....

dude decides to hang his bear canister form a tree, pulls out the paracord. Ties more knots (more strength loss) into it and slings it over a tall limb. Hangs his 50lb pack and30lbs of food from it.. The wind blows the branch, causing the rope to abrade and twist back and forth over the limb, This equals more degrading of the rope. several times a day he lowers and raise the pack, the rope abrades every time and is subject to shock loads. End of the hike, dude throws the rope back into his pack and again it sits for several months, dirty, abraded, wet, shock loaded, knotted, twisted, bends.

One day dude is hiking again and see a wicked fishing hole down a steep ravine. He cant get down it but decides to use the paracord. He knots (strength loss) it to a tree , loops ot a few times thru a biner (major abrasion, HEAT, twisting, bending ) and lowers himself down. At this point the rope has lost all strength rating and cannot handle it anymore

Splat.

The above scenarios are examples of how rope or paracord can be damaged and aged. Rescue, climbing and rappelling (static , semi static, full dynamic) ropes are designed for these kinds of factors, by a ratio of 15:1 or in the case of some Units, 20 or 30:1 safety factor. PARACORD IS NOT DESIGNED LIKE THIS and attempting to use it like a real rope* is plain idiotic and deadly.


*lifeline
 
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Bushman5 said:
here is a few numbers to keep in mind

You start with 550 LB strength. This is rated on a machine (dynanometer) that pulls the rope/cord in a straight line until it breaks. the rope is fastened to the anchor point and the meter, using a tensionless hitch. This hitch is the only hitch that retains 100% of the rope strength, as there are no knots at the anchor points.

so we get a reading of 550lbs for sample "A". That reading is when the rope is brand new and unused.

next, the rope is packaged for shipping, rolled up tight on a spool. It sits on a warehouse for months before being shipped out to a distrubotr. At this point you have around 5 - 10% degradation. (aging). So you have a loss of strength already, before the rope is even bought and used.

next, it is shipped off to the store, some might hit the shelves, some sits in stock for several months. Lets say a hank of 200 feet is sold. Customer throws it in his pack , where it sits unused, coiled up tight until summer hiking season. Another 5- 10% degradation (aging). now you have a rope thats aorund 75% of its orignial rated load rating.

Hiker dude goes hiking and uses the rope for a clothesline. It gets wet, shrinks and expands several times, is tensioned by the clothes and wind, and is knotted several times. As well the sun (UV) and ozone and chemicals in the air further attack the rope. End of the camping trip rope is coiled up tight again (many bends and twists) , its dirty, wet and packed away like this for several more months.

by now you have 50% loss in strength. Down to 250 lbs or so.....

dude decides to hang his bear canister form a tree, pulls out the paracord. Ties more knots (more strength loss) into it and slings it over a tall limb. Hangs his 50lb pack and30lbs of food from it.. The wind blows the branch, causing the rope to abrade and twist back and forth over the limb, This equals more degrading of the rope. several times a day he lowers and raise the pack, the rope abrades every time and is subject to shock loads. End of the hike, dude throws the rope back into his pack and again it sits for several months, dirty, abraded, wet, shock loaded, knotted, twisted, bends.

One day dude is hiking again and see a wicked fishing hole down a steep ravine. He cant get down it but decides to use the paracord. He knots (strength loss) it to a tree , loops ot a few times thru a biner (major abrasion, HEAT, twisting, bending ) and lowers himself down. At this point the rope has lost all strength rating and cannot handle it anymore

Splat.

The above scenarios are examples of how rope or paracord can be damaged and aged. Rescue, climbing and rappelling (static , semi static, full dynamic) ropes are designed for these kinds of factors, by a ratio of 15:1 or in the case of some Units, 20 or 30:1 safety factor. PARACORD IS NOT DESIGNED LIKE THIS and attempting to use it like a real rope* is plain idiotic and deadly.


*lifeline
Click to expand...


Very good info! :thumbup:

I completely agree, and this is another example of the need to prepare in advance, if you know your going to run into this situation then pack some rope that will hold your weight. Paracord is great for every small task I can think of, it out performs everything else I've tried, but like Bushman said, it's simply not designed for use as a lifeline. Doing so is a very risky thing, and (to me) it's not a risk worth taking when there are other options available.
 
thank you.

one can purchase a short length of 8mm static rappel line, rappel device, a couple biners, ultralight harness and a few slings for anchors and the whole kit takes up the space of a sixpack. Very compact yet ther efor you and rated for live loads.
 
You have the right idea Bushman5, but your shelf life may be off a little.

Since 550 was made for parachutes, I am just going to use them as my guide to shelf life. The military says that EVERY parachute will be DX after ten years of service no matter if it has one jump or one thousand jumps on it in that life span.

At the ten year mark the military feels that the safe useful life of a parachute has been reached, and is no longer worth taking a chance on. I am guessing that the military is also being very very cautious here.

Every parachute has a log book in one of its risers that gives you the complete history of that chute.


Also, I would use 550, given NO other choice, as a life line, but I would probably need therapy after the fact as my nerves would be shot. Seriously, if you want something for an emergency that is very small, light weight and strong, go with TECH CORD. It is slightly larger than 3/16'' and is rated at 5000 pounds. It is 1.7 pounds per 100 feet of cord, so if you know you are going to be in an area where you might need real rope, go with something like this if you don't want to carry regular climbing rope.

http://www.karstsports.com/newenteccor5.html

Just remember, you tied it, you ride it. If bad things happen, don't panic, because you have the rest of your life to fix it. At least that is what they told us at every prejump. ;)
 
it was'nt exact age ratings, it was more of a generalized guide.

and a major +1 to tech cord. good stuff..
 
Sometimes in wet condition I use tent half to improvise hammock.And the cord that I use is 4 mm accessory cord, never had any problems with it, I'm some 80kg.

IMAG1760.jpg
 
I know I'mjumping off a bridge here, but I use it...
A) Because that's what everyone uses, so info on it is easy to find and supply is readily available.
B) It works great for cord wrapping just about anything.
C) It's inexpensive and comes in a variety of colors for different applications.

Really my main reason is just because everyone else uses it. I could break that down, but that pretty much says it all. I'm not going to trust my life to a single strand, but I trust how useful it is for everything other than supporting my weight, such as making traps, lashing things together, etc. It's a great multi-use product. If paracord wasn't around, I'd use accessory cord.
 
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