Parachute cord

[L4tp]

When I buy rope for the boat it looks like 3/8 rope is rated for about 300 lbs. I have never dealt with parachute cord. Is it a smaller diameter stronger rope that would take up less room?

[Visionz]

yes, I am not sure of the exact diameter, but my paracord is rated for 550lb and looks to be about 3/16" diameter

[kaligaran]

The 550 test is 5/32" (4mm). It's type III paracord per wikipedia.
If it's on wikipedia, it must be true!

Still takes up little room. I was actually kinda surprised it's 5/32, it does seem smaller.

[ProstheticWeasel]

When I buy rope for the boat it looks like 3/8 rope is rated for about 300 lbs. I have never dealt with parachute cord. Is it a smaller diameter stronger rope that would take up less room?

Paracord is more like double braid if you are trying to compare prices. I think you may be thinking of three strand that is used for dock lines. Three strand is nice and springy where the braided line has little stretch.

Each line is used for different things. I would not use paracord to tie up a boat for any length of time. I would not be worried about its holding ability but I would worry about it slipping through a cleat.

Some more info about what you are doing would help. If you want dock lines you can't beat three strand especially if your docks get waked a lot.

Oh and paracord gets crunchy in the sun pretty quickly.

[L4tp]

I'm just starting my attempt at being prepared for an emergency. I'm thinking some rope would be a good thing to have in my bag. I would want something that took up as little of space as posable but don't want something that would drop me on my ass.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

I hope "drop me on my ass" doesn't mean you plan on using it to suspend yourself. Static line=/= dynamic line, tying a knot in a line weakens it, shock load=/=static load, and lastly the longer the line, the less weight it can support vertically.

As general purpose cordage, don't expect 550 cord/paracord to be good for more than about 60-70lb of static load. This is from experience. Marines, sailors, and soldiers try repelling with braided 550 cord often enough that they ahev annual classes about not doing it.

[Boondock]

As general purpose cordage, don't expect 550 cord/paracord to be good for more than about 60-70lb of static load. This is from experience. Marines, sailors, and soldiers try repelling with braided 550 cord often enough that they ahev annual classes about not doing it.

Yup, please do not attempt to rappel or climb using 550 paracord. Otherwise, it's great for a variety of tasks. Add some to your kit.

[Exploriment]

Shouldn't boat on a rope also be as floatable as possible, or at least as water resistant as possible preferably? Paracord is not that. Horses for courses.

[Blacksmith]

550 cord is rated for 550 pounds of static load. Real 550 cord, not junk spun up at lord only knows where. Some people (and even units) go buy cheaper stuff and then bitch that it does not hold.

A single strand of the real stuff will hold me up with a full combat load on (Well over 300 pounds). Once the load becomes non-static it will no longer hold me.

Never use it for climbing. Ropes fatigue and 550 cord seems worse than most, and it was never designed for climbing anyway. The parachute repair guys are constantly fixing chutes and replacing lines to keep chutes functional.

[L4tp]

Ok, so what's the smallest type/size of rope/cord you would put in a emergency kit for climbing?

[Blacksmith]

Climbing where? For what purpose? I would rather not climb in an emergency if could help it.

[L4tp]

Climbing where? For what purpose? I would rather not climb in an emergency if could help it.

Maybe climb out of a building or have to navigate a damaged bridge or what ever.

[shrimpwd]

Ok, so what's the smallest type/size of rope/cord you would put in a emergency kit for climbing?

I'd have to choose something like this: http://www.rei.com/product/809407/mammut-apex-classic-105mm-x-60m-non-dry-rope

Of course, I don't plan on climbing, so I've never really looked into these sorts of things. From the reviews and specs and such, it would more than likely work.

And 60 meters! you could create a double line for descents without leaving the line behind. (Thank you, Classic Sci-Fi books for that knowledge!)

[Exploriment]

Maybe climb out of a building or have to navigate a damaged bridge or what ever.

And will you also be carrying a proper harness and the hardware to go with it? Or will you just grab on to the rope, and hang on for dear life? Do you have any training in climbing? Or will you wing it?

[Blacksmith]

Climbing out of a building you live in is easy. You don't need to worry about putting it in carry kit.

[L4tp]

Maybe climb out of a building or have to navigate a damaged bridge or what ever.

And will you also be carrying a proper harness and the hardware to go with it? Or will you just grab on to the rope, and hang on for dear life? Do you have any training in climbing? Or will you wing it?

Pretty much wing it. I would think maybe tie some loops in it to make a ladder. I grew up in the country (texas) so I've done plenty of stupid shit if that's what you're thinking.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Brilliant! Pack a bag with gear designed to keep you alive, and then "wing it" untrained without the proper gear when trying to climb. Will you also be planning to find firearms and food laying on the ground?

Seriously, is there something along your BO route (you did already plan a route, a backup route, and two backup routes for the backup route, right?) that will require you to climb? Also: tying ropes into a ladder is less than brilliant. Making a stirrup ladder is doable, but not easy or preferred if you have another option.

I'm just getting the feeling that you haven't thought this through completely.

[ODA 226]

Maybe climb out of a building or have to navigate a damaged bridge or what ever.

And will you also be carrying a proper harness and the hardware to go with it? Or will you just grab on to the rope, and hang on for dear life? Do you have any training in climbing? Or will you wing it?

Pretty much wing it. I would think maybe tie some loops in it to make a ladder. I grew up in the country (texas) so I've done plenty of stupid shit if that's what you're thinking.

Listen to Doc Torr's advice. If you "wing it", you'll end up as a big wet spot at the bottom of where you were climbing.

[Exploriment]

I'm just getting the feeling that you haven't thought this through completely.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

[L4tp]

You maybe right. I'm just an amateur nut case. I just thought having rope when you need it might be better than not having it. No I don't have a bug out route. I think most of the time it would be better to stay in a fortified location.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Right then. It seems that you need to sit down and assess the following:
What disasters are likely in your area?
What disasters could force you to leave your house? (Fire, flood, space cows)
What is the best place to go when forced out of your home for some reason?
What are the best routes there?

Once you seriously figure that out, you should have a better idea of what gear and training you need to not die. If you;re going by the "better to have it" rule, you'll need to pack MOPP and firefighting gear including an oxygen tank, as it;s more likely that you'll end up in a contaminated or flaming area than ending up in a place where it would be safer to attempt to climb down/over an obstacle instead of going around.

You might be a nutcase (I won't judge) but I've had the words "Most Likely Course of Action" thrown at me a lot over the last four years and change. Most likely seems to happen a lot more often than "coolest" or "most harrowing" does.

[Woods Walker]

As general purpose cordage, don't expect 550 cord/paracord to be good for more than about 60-70lb of static load. This is from experience. Marines, sailors, and soldiers try repelling with braided 550 cord often enough that they ahev annual classes about not doing it.

Yup, please do not attempt to rappel or climb using 550 paracord. Otherwise, it's great for a variety of tasks. Add some to your kit.

What these guys said. This is a great way to die. Even in a two strand twist I wouldn't trust 550 for climbing or repelling.

[L4tp]

If the space cows show up cook out at my place.

[Boondock]

Now, if you're considering paracord to lower or raise equipment, like a pack from a window you're about to climb out of, that's acceptable.