Cordage is one of the most useful things in a TSHTF. And one of the most difficult to improvise/manufacture. At least in the short term. Not having any strikes me as being unwise.


2 x 20' lengths in my back pocket's.
1 x 30' length in my bag or back pack (minimum)
And I might have at least one more 3-6' length stashed somewhere about my person.

So as you see, 100'is not unreasonable.

One thing that I do like about 550 cord is that it is very user friendly. Easy to knot and easy to undo.

I think people make too much of the mil-spec name...
What you want is REAL para-cord.
I sometimes buy mil-spec and sometimes just go to the source and buy from a rigger's store...
They have REAL para-cord in MANY variations.
If you need thinner, they have (I think) down to 4 strand. and I really like the 10 and 12 strand stuff.
That stuff is STRONG!

You do want to be sure that you get the REAL para-cord though...
A lot of what is sold does NOT have the inner strands that are each made up of two even smaller strands.
Some just has the fibers(unstranded) inside of the outer covering. This CAN be strong, but there is no guarantee...

I think its better to carry a few feet of paracord, about 100 feet of 2mm dyneema (which has a 1,000 pound plus rating, I believe) and then about 20 yards of braided spectra 20 pound fishing line.

Takes up less space than paracord, is much, much stronger than paracord, and you can use the fishing line with having to take apart your paracord.

If you're serious about survival and bushcraft why not buy a 1000' spool, one in olive drab for winter and one in white for summer. Bright orange seems like a good idea but it just turns brown as it gets dirty. You keep that spool at home or at your camp and when you need emergency cord to pack in your survival kits, you just measure it by arm spans. You need some to practice anyway. Mors Kochanski recommends 7 arm spans but that is according to his settings and predictions, like getting stuck in the boreal forest and having to build Roycroft snowshoes. Nylon paracord is ideal for lashing because of its elasticity, but you should gut it (remove the seven inner strands) in this case.

I have been using 550 cord as boot laces since 1988. I promise it will last wwwaaayyy longer than any lace that comes from the factory.

Try the 4-strand (but sometimes 5-strand; watch your sources) Type II cord, which is constructed the same but is a bit narrower in diameter.

I'm surprised at how long this thread has continued, but it seems that most like their cordage.

What are people's thoughts on using paracord for water rescue in a pinch? Someone fell through a hole in ice type scenario?

I have at least 100" of catfish string on the outside loops of my BOB. It is broken up into 25' lengths. I can't remember how long the roll is but it was a good deal at the Big Blue Retailer. It only cost a few bucks. It is rated at 330lbs. Good enough for me. Caveat: it has a tar-like coating on it. The smell and stickiness wears off in just a little while. I love the stuff.

Paracord for rescue work would be good in a pinch but obviously not the best choice. It's really thin which makes it hard to hold and it cuts into your hands. It would be even harder to use with gloves or mittens but if it's all you've got...If you're gonna be around ice a lot it would probably be a good idea to have thicker, stronger rope. Of course you also have the problem of getting the rope to the victim.

JohnE

I would use whatever I had available in a pinch!