Paracord Projects: 17 Survival Devices You Can Make

By SS Contributor | Updated: 04/26/2024

Paracord Projects - close up of a paracord bracelet being braided 1Today, I have something really incredible to share…

An epic list of paracord projects that shows you exactly HOW to create them and WHY.

Because paracord IS one of my favorite survival tools.

It’s strong, won’t deteriorate over time, and doesn’t absorb water.

In my opinion, it’s a survival tool everyone should carry.

That’s why today, I’ll be sharing all of my favorite Paracord projects…

Note: You may want to take a second to bookmark this page!

That way, you can quickly return to your next projects in the future.

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1. Paracord Belt For Survival

From a survival standpoint, a regular leather belt has limited uses.

You can use it as a makeshift tourniquet and fasten something together, but that’s about it.

Instead, think about what you can do with the amount of Paracord you’d have with a belt!

That’s why it’s worth wearing one daily.

With a paracord belt, you no longer talk about how many feet of cordage you have…

You’ll start measuring your Paracord in yards.

↓How To Make A Survival Paracord Belt

A Paracord Belt includes hundreds of feet of Paracord.

Which gives you hundreds of survival uses, and it’s made from a high-quality 550-pound strength cord.

Note:

You should invest in a paracord jig.

A good paracord jig will make your life much easier.

And it’ll make your paracord projects tighter, better, and easier to work in multiple color combinations.

For example:

Check out this highly-rated, affordable paracord jig.

2. Paracord Bullwhip

A paracord bullwhip is an underrated survival weapon. It can inflict real damage if used correctly.

Not only can it inflict severe damage, but it’s also highly intimidating.

Have you ever heard a bullwhip crack?

It’s deafening.

A bullwhip is so loud because the tiny tip on the end of the whip breaks the speed of sound.

That loud crack you hear is a mini sonic boom.

If you’ve ever heard a plane flying supersonic past you in the sky, you’ve also listened to the deafening boom that followed it.

It’s the same concept with a bullwhip but on a much smaller scale.

CRACK!

↓How to Make a Paracord Bullwhip

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3. Paracord Lanyard

Lanyards are popular among survivalists, backpackers, hikers, and hunters for carrying whistles or duck calls around your neck.

You don’t have to stop there though.

A paracord lanyard can hold anything you want to put around your neck, and Paracord makes a great lanyard.

↓Making a Hunting Lanyard with Survival Paracord

4. Paracord Rifle Sling

You’ll want a sling to help carry your surival rifle around, right?

So you might as well make it out of something useful…like 550 paracord.

Here’s a simple paracord sling that works well for a lightweight rifle.

↓Easy Paracord Rifle Sling

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5. Giant Paracord Monkey Fist

A monkey fist is a dangerous survival weapon.

It’s a hard round object wrapped in Paracord and then used to strike with.

Many people use a small object like a marble or a small rock in the center.

But you need something larger to make a giant paracord monkey fist.

A pool ball or a steel ball bearing is the ideal round hard object for a giant monkey fist.

Wrap a pool ball with Paracord, and you have a deadly homemade weapon you can add to your bug-out bag.

Note: Of course, only use such a weapon as this for self-defense; it can inflict severe damage and could kill someone.

↓GIANT GORILLA (monkey) fist tutorial!

6. Jeep Paracord Grab Handles

This tutorial is the most unique paracord ideas I’ve ever seen.

Jeep grab handles (a.k.a “Oh-Crap Handles’) are useful and excellent for survival.

Adding these to an off-road vehicle (such as a jeep) gives you and your passenger something to grab onto when you are doing gnarly rock crawling.

Plus, with these installed in your vehicle, you won’t be without a ton of Paracord if you get in a bind while rock crawling.

↓How to: Make Your Own Jeep Paracord Grab Handles

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7. Paracord Snow Shoes

Have you ever hiked in waist-deep snow…post-holing the entire way?

Trust me…it’s exhausting.

If you find yourself lost in deep snow, then learning how to make a set of paracord snowshoes will save your life.

You can make a set of paracord snowshoes today and then attach them to your bug-out bag.

The bottom line is:

This is an extremely useful project

↓How To Make a Paracord M67 Grenade Tutorial

8. Paracord Wallet For Altoids Tin

As many survivalists have discovered, an Altoids Tin is a perfect container for organizing your small survival gear.

I keep a few fish hooks, lead weights, fishing line, safety pins, fire tinder, and a Bic lighter in my Altoids tin.

Then I keep that tin in my bug out bag.

However, the metal tin used to make a racket when it bounced against my other gear.

Now with a paracord wrap, it’s easy to carry and silent.

↓Altoid Tin Pouch (Survivalist Tin)

 

9. Paracord Survival Hammock

Paracord has the right strength and stretches to make a survival hammock.

As you’ll see in the video below, making one takes a lot of work.

Nevertheless, it can still be a very skill to learn.

↓How to Make A Paracord Hammock

10. Paracord Snare Trap Rig

Did you know you can make an effective snare trap with some paracord?

They can be effective, but remember; you’ll succeed more if you set up several of these and not just one.

So set up a dozen or so in the woods and return after a couple of days, and you might have snagged a rabbit or squirrel.

↓Survival Snare Trapping Using  Paracord

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11. Paracord Bow Sling

Many bowhunters swear by a bow sling, while others don’t see the point.

If you plan to hunt from a tree stand, you don’t want to have to hold your bow the entire time.

You’ll want to keep a relaxed shooting hand while sitting in the tree for hours waiting for your prey to arrive.

A fatigued hand won’t be as accurate as a fresh one.

↓Paracord Bow Sling

12. Bottle Harness

With a small amount of 550 paracord, you can make a simple bottle harness.

So the nice thing about this project is it’s adaptable for any sized bottle.

When complete, you should be able to slip it around the neck of any bottle, and then it will cinch down.

So if you’re planning a long hike, you’ll want your hands free and not carrying a water bottle.

This project eliminates that dilemma.

↓Knot of the Week – Bottle Sling

 

13. Paracord Bracelet For Fishing and Survival

Thousands of people have made tutorials on how to make a survival bracelet.

I wasn’t planning to add another one of those tutorials to this page until I came across this one.

Because it’s an upgrade from a regular bracelet to a fishing paracord bracelet that allows you to incorporate fishing tackle.

That way, if you ever end up in a real survival scenario, you won’t just have 550 paracord…

You’ll also have some basic fishing tackle as well.

As a survivalist…why wouldn’t you make this version of a paracord bracelet?

↓Paracord Fishing & Survival Bracelet

Of course, to make a paracord bracelet, you need the right hardware; a buckle or shackle.

14. Paracord Keychain: Quick Deploy Survival Key Fob

If you need a bit of Paracord fast, you’ll want a quick deploy key fob.

First, it’s attached to your key chain, so you’ll know it’s always with you.

Second, you pull the cord for quick deployment.

As a result, no knots, no fuss, just 550 paracord ready to use in a matter of seconds…nice.

Plus, it’s a good project for beginners.

↓Simple Paracord: Quick Deploy Key Fob

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15. Survival Knife Handle Wrap

Sure, you can add a wood handle to your naked knife blade handle, which is a challenging project in its own right.

Or you could make your knife blade even more useful by adding 550 paracord.

Just wrap it thoroughly and tight to create a nice comfortable knife handle.

↓Benchmade 375 Handle Wrap Demo

16. Paracord Survival Donut

Want to pack a ton of Paracord into your bug out bag without taking up much space?

Reality Survival will show us how to make a paracord survival donut.

If this is done right, you can pack a massive amount of Paracord into a small space.

In addition, you should also focus on making a paracord donut that will unravel quickly without any knotting issues.

↓How To Make A Paracord Donut

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17. Paracord Dog Collar

If you have a four-legged companion during a hike or bug out, why not make them a paracord dog collar?

Not only does it look good for your dog.

But it also helps make it more useful and resourceful from a survival standpoint.

As a result, it’s a win-win.

↓Paracord Dog Collar COBRA WEAVE

3 Surprising Myths About Paracord

Myth 1: All Paracord is Created Equal

One of the most common misconceptions is that all paracord is the same.

In reality, there are different types and grades of paracord, each designed for specific purposes.

The most common is Type III 550 paracord, so named because it has a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds.

However, there are also Type I and Type II cords, which have lower breaking strengths and are more suitable for lightweight tasks.

Knowing the right type of paracord for your needs is crucial; otherwise, you might find yourself in a tough spot when the cordage doesn’t perform as expected.

Myth 2: Paracord is Indestructible

Paracord’s reputation for being nearly indestructible is well-deserved, but it’s not immune to wear and tear.

Over time, exposure to UV rays, moisture, and friction can weaken the cord’s fibers, reducing its strength.

Also, if the cord has been subjected to heavy loads or severe stress, it might not perform up to its full potential.

Regular inspection and replacement of damaged or worn paracord should be a standard practice for any outdoor enthusiast or survivalist.

Myth 3: Paracord is the End-All, Be-All Survival Tool

While paracord is undoubtedly a versatile tool, it can’t replace essential survival skills and other gear.

It’s not a substitute for knowledge, training, or the right equipment. It can’t start a fire, filter water, or provide shelter on its own.

Instead, think of paracord as an invaluable addition to your survival kit, a tool that enhances your ability to improvise and adapt in the wild.

Final Thoughts

That’s all 17 cool survival paracord projects for preppers…which should keep you busy.

What makes Paracord so powerful is its so many uses; we came up with 35 paracord uses for survival.

Doing several of these projects ensures you’ll never be in a dire situation without Paracord.

So use it to make grip handles, slings, lanyards, bracelets, snowshoes, a hammock, collars, etc.

Enjoy!

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