UNRAVEL IT - SURVIVE survival
n 1: a state of surviving; remaining alive [syn:endurance]
2: a natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms
best adapted to the environment [syn:survival of the
fittest,natural selection,selection]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Survival \Sur*viv"al\, n. [From Survive.]
1. A living or continuing longer than, or beyond the
existence of, another person, thing, or event; an
outliving.
2. (Arh[ae]ol. & Ethnol.) Any habit, usage, or belief,
remaining from ancient times, the origin of which is often
unknown, or imperfectly known. This versatile cord was even used by astronauts during STS-82, the
second Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
Genuine Mil-Spec #550 Parachute Cord has 7 strands in the core
and is a must have for any survival kit.
Mil-Spec, Type III, 550 Parachute Cord
7 Inner Cords Made Up of Two Strings Each for a Rating of 35 Pounds
14 Inner Strings, Each of Which Have a Rating of About 17.5 Pounds
32 Strand Sheath Structure
550 lb. (248kg) Minimum Breaking Strength
30% Minimum Elongation
225 Feet (69m) per lb. Minimum
Approximately 1/8” Diameter
Quick Drying
All Weather, Will Not Rot or Mildew
Made in the U.S.A. by a Government Contractor
Parachute cord, also called para-cord or 550 cord, is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. It is now used as a general purpose utility cord by both military personnel and civilians. The soft braided outer shell is durable yet cushioned, allowing this cord to be flexible so it is the perfect wrap for knife handles, spears and survival gear. The braided sheath has a high number of interwoven strands for its size, giving it a relatively smooth texture. The all nylon construction makes para-cord fairly elastic. The US military specification for para-cord contains specific denier figures for the sheath strands and inner yarns, but there are no overall diameter requirements for the cord.
US Military issue para-cord is specified the MIL-C-5040H standard. The Mil-Spec specifies six types: I, IA, II, IIA, III, IV.
Type III, the most common, is nominally rated with a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds, thus the term "550 cord".
Despite the historic association of para-cord with Airborne units, virtually all US units have access to the cord. It is used in almost any situation where light cordage is needed. Typical uses include attaching equipment to harnesses, as dummy
cords to avoid losing small or important items, tying rucksacks to vehicle racks, securing camouflage nets to trees or vehicles, and so forth. When threaded with beads, para-cord may be used as a pace counter to estimate ground covered
by foot. The yarns of the core (commonly referred to as "the guts") can also be removed when finer string is needed, for instance as sewing thread to repair gear or fishing line in a survival situation. The nylon sheath is often used alone, the yarn in the core removed, when a thinner or less elastic cord is needed. Ends of the cord are almost always melted and crimped to prevent fraying.
The inner nylon cords are made from high-tenacity, light resistant and heat-resistant polyamide. It has a melting point of 244 degrees Celsius. The inner nylon cords loose no more than 15 percent of their original breaking strength after exposure to heat and light.
In addition to purely utility functions, para-cord can be used to fashion knotted or braided bracelets, lanyards, belts, and other decorative items. 550 Cord is used by many US military members as a bracelet signifying deployment to the Central
Command Area of Responsibility, typically countries in the Middle East. It is also worn in remembrance of POW/MIA service members during National conflict. It is fashioned by using three equal lengths of cord and weaving them together to make a bracelet that is then secured with a looped end and a button from the Desert Camouflage Uniform. The bracelet is commonly seen among those serving in the Middle East.
Countless Uses
-Emergency/Survival
-Shelter/Gear Tie Downs
-Fire Starter Bow
-Improvised Pace Counter
-Drag Line
-Safety Line
-Tunicate to Stop Bleeding
-Boot/Shoe Laces
-Clothes Line
-Food Hanging
-Improvised MOLLE Repairs
-Binding
-Trail Marking
-Spear Making
-Magazine Pulls
-Trip Wires
-Improvised Fishing Net
Inner Strand Uses
-Fishing Line
-Traps/Snares
-Sewing (Tent/Clothing Repair)
-Sutures
-Lashing
-Dental Floss
-Small Animal Snare Trap
-Gill Net
-Small Repairs