Survival Paracord Knot Techniques

When venturing into the wilderness, most outdoor enthusiasts would agree that having reliable and versatile gear can make all the difference for survival.

By mastering various knot techniques using 550 paracord, you can create secure attachments and climbing systems to help you safely traverse difficult terrain and unexpected challenges.

In this guide, you'll learn key knots like the figure 8, clove hitch, and bowline for basic security needs. You'll also discover advanced knots tailored to critical survival tasks like fishing, climbing, and rappelling. With the right paracord knowledge, you can fashion gear that could ultimately save your life in an emergency.

Introduction to Survival Paracord

Paracord, often referred to as 550 cord, is a lightweight nylon rope originally used in parachutes. Its high strength-to-weight ratio makes it invaluable for outdoor enthusiasts and preppers alike. Knowing various paracord knots allows you to securely fasten shelters, climbing gear, fishing line, and more. This guide will teach essential knots for survival situations.

Understanding 550 Survival Paracord

Paracord, commonly called 550 cord, contains 7-9 internal strands encased in a durable nylon sheath. Each internal strand can hold ~55 lbs, giving 550 cord incredible ~375-495 lbs total strength. The compact size and durability make 550 cord ideal for:

Building emergency shelters
Securing gear
Fishing line and snares
Climbing harness
Signaling devices

TITAN Survival Paracord and other 550 cords excel in the versatility and strength needed in unpredictable situations.

The Importance of Paracord Knot Techniques

Knowing various paracord knots allows you to adapt to diverse scenarios. Well-tied knots securely fasten shelters, gear, climbing rigs, and traps during survival situations. Key benefits include:

Shelter Building: Tie solid ridge lines to support emergency shelters using knots like the trucker's hitch.
Gear Securing: Lash critical items to packs preventing loss. Use knots like the clove hitch.
Climbing Aids: Tie secure harnesses and rigging to ascend/descend safely.
Trapping: Effective snares and fishing rigs require appropriate knots like the Figure 8 knot.

This guide will demonstrate step-by-step paracord knots that can be lifesavers outdoors. Follow along to learn techniques hands-on.

Essential 550 Paracord Knots for Survival

550 paracord, often referred to as "survival paracord", is an incredibly versatile cord that has endless uses for preppers and survivalists. Knowing essential knots is key to properly utilizing paracord for securing shelters, gear, climbing, and more.

Mastering the Figure 8 Knot

The figure 8 follow through knot is one of the most important knots to learn. It creates a stop point in the rope and tightens when pulled, making it perfect for creating secure tie-off points when camping or climbing.

To tie the figure 8 knot:

Make a loop in the cord, then pass the working end through the loop
Continue passing the working end around behind the standing part of the rope
Feed the working end back down through the loop again
Pull tight and stop at the desired size

This knot is useful for attaching survival paracord to trees, poles, and stakes when building shelters and securing hiking packs, canteens, and other gear.

Securing with the Clove Hitch

Another essential knot for shelter building and load securing is the clove hitch. This knot allows you to quickly and securely fasten a rope to trees, poles, and other anchors.

To tie a clove hitch:

Make a turn with the rope around the anchor point crossing the standing part
Take a second turn so the loops overlap each other
Pull tight on both ends to secure

The clove hitch will hold fast to anchor points making it ideal for securing tarps, hammocks, game, and equipment. It can also be easily adjusted by sliding along the anchor. Practice this versatile knot with 550 survival paracord.

The Versatile Bowline Knot

When you need a loop that won't tighten under load, tie a bowline. It's considered one of the most useful knots for rescue and climbing applications.

To tie a standard bowline:

Make a small loop in the standing part of the rope
Pass the working end up through the loop
Around behind the standing part and back down into the loop
Dress the knot by pulling on both ends

The bowline forms a secure loop that won't slip. It's perfect for attaching TITAN Survival Paracord to carabiners, hauling game, tying rescue harnesses, and more.

TITAN Survival Paracord Knots for Fishing

Fishing with TITAN survival paracord allows for critical food and nutrition acquisition in wilderness survival situations. This section will cover useful fishing knots that can be tied with 550 paracord or TITAN survival cordage to secure hooks, connect lines, and even construct fishing nets when standard gear is unavailable.

The Improved Clinch Knot for Secure Hook Attachment

The improved clinch knot is one of the strongest and most reliable knots for attaching hooks, lures, and other terminal tackle to fishing line. This versatile knot holds extremely well under strain and is straightforward to tie even with thin 550 paracord.

To tie the improved clinch knot:

Thread the fishing line through the eye of the hook, lure, or swivel. Double back a few inches and make 5-6 turns around the standing line.
Thread the loose end back through the first loop above the eye, then through the big loop formed by the wraps.
Make sure the wraps stay in place as you tighten the knot by pulling the tag end and standing line in opposite directions. Clip the excess.

The improved clinch will hold fast even when fighting larger fish, making it the go-to knot for attaching terminal tackle with survival cordage. The tight bends grip well and cinch down securely.

Joining Lines with the Blood Knot

The blood knot is used to join two sections of fishing line while keeping them perfectly aligned in a strong, slender connection. This is useful when attaching a longer main line to a shorter castable leader made from the thin inner strands of 550 paracord.

To tie a blood knot:

Overlap the ends of the two fishing lines to be joined and twist one around the other about 5 times.
Bring the tag end back and thread it through the loops in the opposite way, wrapping it around the standing line for another 5 turns.
Slowly tighten the knot by pulling the lines in opposite directions. Make sure the wraps stay in place and ride neatly together.
Clip the excess and add a touch of waterproof glue or nail polish over the knots before trimming.

The blood knot forms a neat, strong connection for attaching leaders to main lines when fishing with survival cordage in an wilderness emergency.

Crafting a Paracord Fishing Net with 550 Cord

Braiding a diamond knot fishing net is a creative way to harvest fish and provide sustenance when standard tackle is unavailable. The netting can be crafted entirely from 550 paracord.

To create a paracord fishing net:

Cut lengths of 550 cord for the netting and border. Use thin inner strands for the netting itself.
Tie the vertical strands off to a stationary object at the top and affix weights at the bottom.
Begin the diamond braiding pattern by bringing the left inner strand over 1 and under 2. Continue under and over in an alternating sequence.
When the last strand is braided, tie off the bottom border and reinforce knots.

This braiding method yields a durable net with small mesh gaps that can handle heavier loads. The diamond knot netting is easy to craft on-site even if you only have survival paracord available.

With some cordage creativity, paracord can enable fishing for food in an emergency situation. Learning key knots allows you to fabricate gear and rigs when your tackle box is unavailable.

Advanced 550 Paracord Techniques for Climbing and Rappelling

Climbing requires specialized knots to ensure safety and efficiency. 550 paracord is an ideal rope for climbing applications due to its strength, versatility, and compact size. This section will overview useful knots that can be tied with 550 paracord when climbing or rappelling.

Joining Ropes with the Double Fisherman's Bend

The double fisherman's bend is a secure knot used to join two ropes together or create an adjustable loop for prusik cords and harness ties.

To tie a double fisherman's with 550 paracord:

Form a bight in one rope.
Pass the working end of the second rope through the bight.
Tie an overhand knot with the second rope, trapping the bight.
Repeat this process, tying a second overhand knot 'around' the first.
Pull tight and trim excess cord.

This slim, strong knot is useful for joining 550 paracord when extra length is needed for rappels or hauling systems. It also enables adjustable ties for climbing harnesses.

The Munter Hitch for Controlled Descents

The Munter hitch is a friction knot allowing a rope to slide in a controlled fashion, making it an essential knot for rappelling with 550 paracord.

To tie a Munter hitch:

Form a bight in the rope and pass it around an anchor.
Pass the working end of the rope through the bight to form a loop.
Take multiple wraps inside the loop with the rope's working end.
Apply tension to the bight and tail to enable smooth sliding.

The Munter hitch is adjustable, so it provides versatility when rappelling with 550 paracord. It also enables a belayer to safely lower a climber.

The Klemheist Knot for Secure Belaying

The klemheist is an ultra-secure friction knot useful for belay anchors and backup knots when using 550 paracord.

To tie the klemheist:

Find the middle of the 550 cord and form a bight.
Wrap the bight 4-5 times around an anchor or carabiner.
Pass the opposite working ends through the wraps from opposite directions.
Pull the ends tight and away from the anchor to lock.

The klemheist grips tightly when weight is applied in the 'up' direction making it perfect for belaying. It also serves as an excellent backup knot for rappelling or hauling with 550 paracord.

Conclusion: The Lifesaving Utility of Mastering Paracord Knots

Learning to tie strong, reliable knots with 550 paracord can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Here are some key reasons to master paracord knot techniques:

Versatility - Paracord can be used for securing shelters, climbing, fishing, traps, splints, and more. Knowing knots allows you to fully utilize paracord's capabilities.
Strength - Properly tied knots with 550 paracord can hold hundreds of pounds of weight, providing secure anchoring points.
Reliability - Well-executed knotwork is less likely to loosen or fail compared to improvised ties. Practice makes perfect.
Preparation - Taking time now to learn techniques means you'll be ready to act confidently in a crisis scenario.
Portability - Compact hanks of 550 paracord are easy to keep in bags and kits for on-the-go use.

Mastering the intricacies of knots may seem tedious, but could save your life one day. Start practicing basic techniques like the bowline, trucker's hitch, and figure 8 knots. With time and dedication, you'll be able to apply paracord solutions to almost any survival situation.