30 janvier 2015

Why A 550 Paracord Is A Must Have In The Toolkit

By Ines Flores


One tool that is never missing in any survival tool kit is the paracord. The cord is described as a simple, practical cord that can be used by anyone at any given situation. It is also very strong and flexible so much that it has found its way into most homes. This strength comes from its versatile-filament nylon cord. It was widely used for parachutes during the WWII, hence the name. The original design consisted of seven strong nylon cords each made from strong strands that are woven together. A branded nylon wrapper then wraps the seven cords to produce a single super-strong cord that has a combined breaking force of 550 pounds. No wonder it is commonly referred to as 550 paracord.

Having been widely used for parachute applications during the WWII, the prefix "para" was added to the "cord" to give it its name. However, it has found its use in other areas outside the military field. It is now used by virtually all other armed forces, including the police, forest guards, scouts, and all other troops you can think about. It is also available commercially for home applications and other uses like camping.

However, the civilian or commercial version may not have the said seven inner yarns or if it does, the inner yarns may not be made of 3 strands each. However, depending on the purpose, the civilian version still works for many ordinary applications.

The civilian varieties are not strict on the number of cords, in some cases; five yarns are used instead of seven. The strands can also be two but not three. The result is that the commercial varieties might not be as strong as the military ones. However, they still serve very well in most of the applications that they may be needed for.

The benefits are also countless. First, its strength cannot be compared with any other cord in the similar category. The sting is only one eighth inch diameter, but has a breaking strength of 550 lbs. It is also very durable. It can withstand countless uses without being compromised in flexibility.

There are several benefits associated with this cord; one being strength. Just an eighth of an inch in diameter, the cord has a massive 550lbs breaking force. This means that it can support the weight of humans. Once bought, its durability is also impressive. It can be used countless times without being compromised in flexibility.

The other advantage is its weight. With the length of up to 225 feet, the cord weighs not more than 1 pound. As such, it can be carried easily and this explains why campers find it indispensable. In addition to this, it is strong and resistant to environmental elements like mildew, water, and sun heat. The inner strands can also be removed and used separately.

There are also wide areas of application such as the use as cloth lines, towlines, survival kit, and even life line. The inner strands can also be used as fishing strings, dental floss, trapping-snares, and even shoe laces. The important factor is to choose a good cord that can serve the purpose.




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