The 12 C's of Survival Blog Series: Cordage

Cordage is one of the most underestimated components of the 12 C’s of Survival. It rarely gets the attention that fire, food, or shelter receive, yet it quietly supports almost every other category on this list. Without cordage, shelter construction becomes limited, gear repair is nearly impossible, medical improvisation is harder, and even basic camp efficiency drops significantly.

Cordage is not glamorous. It doesn’t make sparks, signal aircraft, or stop bleeding—but it enables all of those things to be done better. Like many preparedness skills, its value often isn’t recognized until it’s missing.

What Cordage Really Is

Cordage is any flexible material used to bind, secure, suspend, repair, or construct. Most people immediately think of paracord, and while that is a solid option, cordage is a category—not a single product.

Understanding cordage means understanding:

• Strength

• Diameter

• Material

• Stretch

• Environmental resistance

• Appropriate use

Using the wrong cordage can be just as problematic as having none at all.

Why Cordage Matters in Survival

Cordage supports nearly every other “C”:

• Cover (Shelter): Ridgelines, tie-outs, tensioning tarps, securing poles

• Combustion: Bow drill strings, hanging food away from fire, drying wood

• Casualty Care: Improvised splints, tourniquet windlasses (with caution), securing dressings

• Communication: Suspending signal panels, antennas, or flags

• Container & Calories: Hanging food, securing loads, building traps or fishing rigs

Cordage multiplies the effectiveness of tools and skills you already have.

Types of Cordage to Consider

Not all cordage is created equal. A well-rounded kit includes more than one option.

Paracord (550 Cord)

• Strong, versatile, widely available

• Inner strands can be separated for finer tasks

• Downsides: stretches under load, not ideal for knots requiring precision

Bank Line (Tarred Nylon)

• Excellent for shelter, fishing, traps, and utility use

• Holds knots extremely well

• Less stretch, more abrasion resistant

Accessory Cord / Static Line

• Stronger and less elastic than paracord

• Better for load bearing or fixed lines

• Slightly heavier but more predictable

Natural Cordage

• Plant fibers, sinew, roots, bark

• Critical skill when manufactured cordage runs out

• Requires practice and local knowledge

Preparedness isn’t just carrying cordage—it’s knowing how to replace it.

Knots Matter More Than Rope

You can have the best cordage available and still fail if you don’t know how to use it. A few reliable knots outperform a dozen poorly tied ones.

Foundational knots every prepared individual should know:

• Square knot

• Bowline

• Taut-line hitch

• Clove hitch

• Sheet bend

• Truckers hitch

These knots cover the majority of real-world needs: securing loads, tensioning shelters, joining lines, and creating fixed loops.

Cordage without knot knowledge is dead weight.

Cordage in Real-World Preparedness

In training environments, cordage failures often reveal planning gaps. Shelters sag, gear shifts, medical improvisations fall apart—not because people lacked strength or motivation, but because their bindings failed.

Cordage is also critical in urban or disaster environments:

• Securing doors or gates

• Tying down tarps after storms

• Lashing debris for movement

• Creating improvised handholds or ladders

Preparedness isn’t limited to the wilderness.

How Much Cordage Is Enough?

There is no single answer—but most people carry far too little.

A practical baseline:

• 50–100 feet of general-purpose cordage

• Additional smaller diameter line for fine tasks

• Stored in multiple locations (pack, vehicle, kit)

Cordage is lightweight, compact, and endlessly useful. Running out is usually a planning failure, not a weight issue.

Final Thoughts

Cordage is a force multiplier. It turns tools into systems and skills into solutions. It is rarely dramatic, but always critical. Like many of the 12 C’s, its true value shows up when conditions deteriorate and improvisation becomes necessary.

Preparedness is not about owning the right rope—it’s about understanding how to bind, secure, and adapt when things start coming apart.

Cordage keeps things together—literally and figuratively.

Stay tuned for the final installment of the 12 C's of Survival Blog Series: Combat (Protection).

Missed an earlier installment? Click Here.