Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Why A 550 Paracord Is A Must Have In The Toolkit

By Ines Flores


Sometimes, it is difficult to understand how some tools that may look simple and useless can turn out to be lifesaving. One such tool is the paracord. It comes up as a very simple yet practical tool that can find its application in virtually everything at any given time. This is simply a versatile-filament nylon cord that consists of 7 strong cords made of nylon. These are woven together and then wrapped with a branded nylon. The resulting cord is very strong with a combined breaking force of 550 lbs. The cord is in fact widely known as the 550 paracord, thanks to its breaking strength.

It was first widely used to contract parachutes during the World War II. In fact, this is how the cord drove its name 'para' cord. Other than its wide military applications, the cord is now common in our homes. Other organized troops like the police, the scout, the coast guard, research stations, forest guards, and wildlife guards also find it very helpful. For this reason, there are other non-military or commercial varieties.

There are no specific standards when it comes to the civilian markets; however, this is not the case with the military varieties. The military cord is distinctly marked as MIL-C-5040 Type III with a rating of 550 pounds. The military cord must have 7 inner yarns, each coming with 3 separate strands.

The same cannot be said of all the civilian varieties. In some cases, there are only 5 cords instead of seven or two strands per cord instead of 3. This might compromise their strength. However, depending on what purpose it is to be used, these varieties still good enough to serve for many applications.

They are also available in many different colors which allow the buyer a wide option to choose from. They are also available in different lengths. If a very long cord is necessary, then this is always available. If a short one is required, then it is a good idea to cut one into smaller portions, after which the cut end should be burnt to avoid fraying.

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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