Little-Known Uses for Paracord in Outdoor Survival

Paracord, short for parachute cord, can save your life if you need to leave a plane (note: only if there’s a parachute attached to it.)

But there’s a lot more to this uniquely-useful material than mere parachutes.

Paracord is actually one of the most important survival tools you can have at your disposal in outdoor emergency situations.

Keeping Food, Perishables, and Valuables Off the Ground

You’re in the wild and you have enough food to last you an entire week. That’s great news. The bad news: there are bears or raccoons sharing the wild with you, and they’re just as happy to eat your food as you are.

Keeping your food, perishables, and other valuables off the ground isn’t just a sure way to ensure their safety, but it will help stave off moisture and insects as well. Find a solid branch that can bear the weight of your supplies and then rig a simple paracord knot (in a bind, even a shoe-tie knot will suffice). Tie the paracord around your bag, cooler, or storage kit—don’t be afraid to tie it more than once to ensure security—and voila! You now have a method of keeping your food away from the animals. When you need to move, simply untie the paracord, pack it up again, and move along.

Rigging Tents and Tarps

In survival, shelter is a must-have. A tent or a tarp is a sure way to keep you and your supplies dry—but only if you can successfully rig it so that you don’t have to wear the tarp like a poncho. A paracord will function as a brilliant tarp-rigger at a moment’s notice.

You can start by learning the “hobo’s tent,” which is a makeshift tent using only paracord and a basic flat tarp. You only need basic tools for the job, such as a camp knife, and you’ll be able to construct your own shelter using essential supplies and, of course, your wits.

Setting Up Snare Traps

If you’re ever in a life-and-death survival situation, then securing a source of food is going to be one of your top priorities. You can hunt, sure, and you can gather berries (provided you know how to gather actual edible berries), but nothing is going to keep you going quite like trapping an animal. For that purpose, you can use a paracord snare trap. The trap is easy to learn and as low-budget as low-budget gets, yet it’s surprisingly effective.

Given that our Survival Straps are made from several feet of super-strong military spec paracord, there’s a lot of survival power that you can pack into one paracord bracelet. But it does take a bit of know-how to suddenly become the McGyver of Survival Straps. The good news? Once you acquire the know-how provided in this article, you’ll be ready to shelter yourself, feed yourself, and keep your most valuable items out of harm’s way. And when it comes to Survival Straps, that’s just the tip of the survival iceburg.

Different Ways to Use a Survival Bracelet

Paracord bracelets are quickly becoming a fashion trend. What was once used as a supplementary survival item by firefighters and servicemen, these bracelets are now a must have for outdoor adventurers. If you don’t own one, you might be wondering how a bracelet made of parachute cord could have gotten so popular. Here are ways you can make full use of a paracord bracelet in the wild:

Outdoor Weapon

If you are lost and food is not something you can access by swiping your credit card, unravel your bracelet to create a bow and arrow which you can use to hunt furry little creatures. By using a sharp knife and a flexible yet hardy twig, you can build your own bow. For arrows, gather many pieces of tree shoots and scavenge for bird feathers.

Set up Traps

If your aim is not that great, maybe your patience is. Another way to catch your breakfast in the wilderness is to set up a trap. Use a section of your bracelet for triggers and snare nooses. Furthermore, the inner strands of the strap can be used as the string of a Paiute Deadfall.

After the trap is set up, you can focus on other productive activities that will keep you alive while you wait.

Not Your Ideal Fishing Expedition

It may take a while before your trap catches something so in the meantime, use another part of the 550 cord for fishing. By attaching a sharp hook and bait into a strand of the bracelet, you just might have a chance of grilling seafood for dinner.

Bow-and-drill Friction Fire

As soon as the sun sets, getting a fire going is very important whether you have something for dinner or not. Aside from keeping you warm, fire can be the only thing standing between you and a starving predator.

Twist two strands of cord around each other to create your bowstring, and gather dry softwoods as your drill and board to get a fire roaring in no time.

Tourniquet

In the great outdoors, the elements increase your chance of obtaining an injury. In case of an open wound, use a section of your bracelet as a tourniquet and strap it on the wrist or leg of the injured person to control severe bleeding.

Shelter

If you do not want to spend the night sleeping on a tree branch, you can make use of your 550 cord to quickly set up a shelter. Gather branches and long leaves and lash them together using a part of your bracelet. Having 15-20 feet of cord will insure that you do not have to worry about the size of your humble abode. You can reclaim the cord when morning comes and you are ready to move on.

Summary

What was once used as a practical method to carry supplementary cord by soldiers and firefighters, paracord bracelets are now being used by countless outdoor adventurers. By using different parts of the strap to create improvised equipment for food, shelter, and emergency situations, a 550 cord can be the difference between life and death.

Survival Story: Waiting On Your Marine

Hi, folks

Here is one use of Survival Straps that came to mind as our son was completing boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

As a family we were trying to think of a way we could show solidarity with him while he was enduring The Crucible, the 54-hour exercise that is the defining moment of a Marine’s boot training.  Some families burn candles, but we didn’t want an open flame in the house when we would be at work or running errands.  So we decided to each design and wear a Survival Strap and not remove it until we were sure that he had earned his Eagle Globe & Anchor.

The day before graduation our new Marine had five hours of liberty available to us, and it was a tearful moment as we saw him for the first time in 5 months.  We showed us the Eagle Globe & Anchor that was awarded to him at the end of The Crucible, and we showed him the Survival Straps we wore to support his safety and success.

Attached is a photograph we took of the Survival Straps we wore that day when he showed us his EGA.

So for families of Marine recruits who want to remind themselves of what their son or daughters are enduring on all our behalves, consider designing for yourselves a Survival Strap and wear it for each hour of The Crucible as a way of helping your loved one transition from recruit to Marine.

Respectfully,

Brian Shea

Survival Straps Reaches Goal of $1 Million in Donations to Worthy Charities

We are so excited to announce that to date we have now donated over $1 million to veterans charities and some other amazing causes. Our objective was to reach this goal before the end of the year, and we are fired up to achieve this over a month ahead of schedule. Some of these charities include:

•     Wounded Warrior Project®

•     26.2 with Donna Finish Breast Cancer Marathon

•     Birdies for the Brave®

•     And so much more!

Our customers have stood by us and helped support an unwavering commitment to products made in the USA and a culture of giving back to our service men and women, our neighbors and our communities. We are thankful for that support and look forward to achieving ever greater goals. To learn more about our support efforts please visit our site http://www.survivalstraps.com and never settle for anything less than the original Survival Straps® gear.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely
The Survival Straps Team

Survival Story: Firefighters Brandon & Joey

Recently, Erika sent in this incredible Survival Story about her firefighter boyfriend and his partner while they were trying to control a house fire. They were in a quite an unpredictable situation and needed to escape fast. She wrote:

In July 2013, I purchased the wide Survival Bracelet with the stainless screw pin closure for my boyfriend’s birthday. Brandon is a firefighter with the Citizens Fire Department in Lock Haven, PA. Brandon is a former Fire Chief of the Bald Eagle Fire Company. He is currently a volunteer fireman at Citizens on his spare time and a part time driver with the department when needed. Brandon and I started dating 7 months ago, and I was and still am very clueless about the world of “firefighting.” When Brandon moved from Bald Eagle to Lock Haven with my children and me, he was very hesitant to join another company because he knew how demanding the firehouse is and how dangerous it can be. Knowing his passion and love for it, I gave him my full support to go and do what he loves and was born to do. Two months into being with the Citizens he has excelled from a volunteer firefighter to a paid driver as well as being a full time dispatcher with 911 and a part time dispatcher with Penn State University. He saves many lives day in and day out, and I’m forever thankful for the survival strap to have saved his life.

On October 12^th, Brandon worked a 12 hour dispatcher shift on a busy home college football game and was waiting for me to also get off work.  He went to spend some time with the guys at the firehouse. Shortly after arriving they were dispatched to a house fire along with another company. Brandon and his partner, Joey, were upstairs of the two story house when they lost all radio transmission and water to their hoses. For 15 minutes they were trapped upstairs with the house engulfed in flames,  as the fire got hotter and was making its way up the stairs. They tried several alternate escapes without any success. As the fire got warmer Brando, said he thought to himself, “Erik, is going to kill me if something happens.” That’s when he felt his wrist getting warmer and remembered he had his survival bracelet on. He unraveled it and attached it to a bar and jammed it into the window jam and prayed that it held and jumped out the two story window with it, as did his partner. Brandon and Joey both made it, with minor bumps and bruises and aches and pains, but that’s far less than what could have happened if he hadn’t had that survival strap. Brandon is forever grateful that he had his bracelet and says that I saved two people’s lives that day just with that one gift that I came across online while shopping. I may have bought the bracelet, but if it wasn’t for the survival strap and its durability and great product I wouldn’t be on here telling you this Survival  Story. We are forever grateful for your product, and I plan on buying more of these and giving them to the other firefighters at the Citizens as Christmas gifts. It’s a small gesture but comes with a big reward, because someday it could save one of them as well when equipment fails. In the world of firefighting they say, “Let no man’s ghost return to say his training let him down.”

We are so glad that our gear played a part in saving these heroic firefighters while they were out protecting our country and citizens. We are so grateful for all that they have done and continue to do for our safety!

Do you have a Survival Story to tell? Don’t forget to let us know at stories@survivalstraps.com.

Survival Story: Bernard Anthony Gossen

We were so amazed and humbled to receive one very unique Survival Story this past week from US Marine Corps veteran, Jason Bellis:

“This is the story of baby Anthony, who endured survival at its earliest and rawest form and conquered and beat the odds of survival after being born 15 weeks premature. On April 5th, 2013 our friends Teila and Chris gave birth to their baby boy, Anthony, 25 weeks into their pregnancy (15 weeks early, expected due date of July 18th, 2013). The doctors informed them of the chances of survival, one that I think we all had a good idea of: the outlook of survival was not good but also not impossible. As the days moved forward and only a few close friends and family knew of the birth, my wife and I could only stand by and help comfort the parents as much as the hospital allowed while Anthony was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). My wife visited regularly and often, while I stayed home to watch our own 1 year old daughter and visited when I could.

After giving thought of how I could help more, I couldn’t think of much I could do, and then I noticed my Marine Corps Survival Straps bracelet lying across from me on our living room table. Immediately I knew I had to give this to Anthony. It may not be pulled apart and used as a tourniquet or some other physical life saving technique, but I knew that there has to be some other spiritual force that would work. “This is a Survival Strap, this is a Marine Corps Survival Strap!” I told myself. “This little boy is going to
survive!!!” If there is one thing that has never failed me in my life, it has been the Marine Corps, and I hoped that the spirit of the Corps would watch over this family. It has!

Ever since Anthony’s first day of life, there has been the “typical” complications while at the NICU that, thanks to the help of a very qualified and professional medical staff, he has been able to endure and pass expectations. On August 26th Teila and Chris were able to bring their beautiful baby boy home. As of the writing of this letter, October 16, 2013, Anthony has been staying strong and surviving with only a few minor complications.

As a side note, most items given to Anthony were not allowed in the NICU or to come close to the baby for fear of germs and other things. The hospital went above and beyond and actually let Anthony hold the Survival Strap for pictures. The strap otherwise was kept in a disinfected package next to Anthony the whole time while in the NICU. During that time, I believe two doctors passed by Anthony, stopped and asked, “Where did that little boy get that?” The parents explained the story and the two doctors explained back knowing 1) It is a Survival Strap, 2) It is a Marine Corps Survival Strap and that the gift
is a huge one knowing the importance of the survival strap to the Marines (or any service branch).

Since Anthony’s first week in our wonderful world, the strap has been by his side and the “spirit” of the Survival Strap has been with him since and hopefully will be for a long time. The parents have appreciatively thanked me over and over for the gift but also thank the Survival Straps Company for giving and keeping the hope of survival for their son through the “spirit” of the strap.”

We are overjoyed that Anthony is now home and thriving and that we could play a part in uplifting the Gossen family during this time. We wish the Gossen family all the best as they begin their new life as a family.

Do you have a Survival Story to share? Please let us know at stories@survivalstraps.com.

Custom Healthcare Professionals Collection

There are many fearless people that work in the healthcare industry, and now we added three new lines of products to honor those individuals even further. With three different dog tag options to choose from all featuring the familiar symbol of medicine, our new medical collection is perfect for all medical heroes. Purchase a Neck ID Lanyard to secure your badge, ID or other important items while on call, or wear a Survival Bracelet sporting one of these cool new logos. Made with military spec paracord, our durable accessories are made to withstand whatever conditions your occupation may subject you to and just might be unraveled to help you save someone’s life.
Purchase Survival Straps Medical Collection, here.

Survival Straps Flag Collection

We’re excited to introduce our new Flag Collection featuring six different countries and their flags. You can now buy your Survival Straps® gear emblazoned with the Australian, British, Canadian, German, Irish or Italian flag.

We are not only extremely proud to be United States of America citizens but also deeply appreciative of our own individual and unique backgrounds. This melting pot of cultures is what makes America so great. Celebrate your heritage with a Britain Survival Bracelet™, Ireland key fob or Italian gear tag to mark your luggage while traveling, or ring in jolly Oktoberfest in style with our German Flag collection. Celebrate what makes you and your family uniquely, well, you!

Buy your Survival Straps Flag Collection, here.

Survival Story: Survival Straps at Sea

Even on the most well-prepared of trips or adventures, unexpected events occur that can likely throw a wrench in your plans, which is why having 550 military spec paracord on hand is ideal. Peter learned this first-hand while on boat race with friends. He shared this exciting story with us:

“I was sailing in the Bermuda Race on my boat. The race was from Newport, Rhode Island to Bermuda. We were going into an overnight race, and we had stocked up on everything. We had a week’s worth of food and water. We had half a dozen sails or more and many yards of line. The race was 635 miles, and we hoped to sail that in 3 to 4 days. It was the second night when the seas got rough and the winds started to pick up. I believe it was about 2 am and out of nowhere there was a giant BOOM. The main sail’s halyard had snapped. I was half asleep on the rail when it happened and was suddenly smothered by a 100 pound sail. When I emerged from the cocoon of sail, I found the halyard at the mast flopping around. I needed a line or something fast. I realized that I had my Survival Straps Survival Bracelet on and decided to use that as the fixing line. So I cut an end and unraveled the band. All the while, we are going through 10 foot swells and 20-30 miles per hour wind. So, I spliced the two lines together and fixed the line with the military grade paracord. As a result, we got through the storm and the race; we finished in fourth place over all. What was amazing was the fact that when I took the sail down, the paracord was still tough and strong – even after having thousands of pounds of pressure on it for 50 hours straight!”What a view! Congrats on a successful trip, and we’re thrilled to have been a part of such a cool adventure.

Do you have a cool Survival Story to tell? Don’t forget to let us know! Email your stories and pictures to stories@survivalstraps.com,  follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates and Survival Stories, and check out the many other instances where our customers used their Survival Straps gear, here.

Survival Straps Mossy Oak Collection

Survival Straps® is fired up to launch the Mossy Oak® collection which is designed to fit the lifestyle of hunters and avid outdoorsmen. Each Survival Bracelet™ and Mossy Oak accessory including key fobs and necklaces are made with super strong 550 military issue paracord. In a pinch or an emergency situation, Survival Straps products can be unraveled and used as cordage for tying down a trophy buck to a 4-wheeler, storing gear from a tree branch, fixing a broken binocular strap or even as a tourniquet.

If you do use it, send us your story, and we send you a new one for free. All Survival Straps® products are made in America and help to support our men and women in uniform. You can get them by visiting our website, here.