Is Paracord Flammable? Many people have heard about or seen pictures of thin, long strips of plastic cord that are referred to as “parachute cords” or “military-grade survival gear.” These types of cables are marketed for various reasons, including protection against snake bites, shelter making, hunting bow arrows, and other self-sufficiency applications.
A few years ago these cables became popular in the wilderness and outdoor activity community when they were marketed as firesteel. Some brands still market them this way even though most experts agree that it is not true firesteel.
Firesteel does not work and will not spark a flame. The name comes from the steel bar used to shape the tip, but those bars are no longer needed because modern versions use ceramic or carbide tips.
However, some newer parachute style survival gear contains zinc carbon which can be ignited by friction or heat. This includes thinner varieties of paracord that are sometimes referred to as fireline or 550 paracords. People who have been exposed to large amounts of this material say that it will burn without sparking first.
This could make it possible to start a small fire if you need to, but only very close to sources of ignition like a campfire or lighter. It also may cause harm due to excessive smoke production or chemical burns depending on how much is burned.
Types of Paracord
While many people associate parachute cord with only shopping, it actually has several other uses. Some people even use it to make jewelry!
Most types of military-grade parachute cords can be either self-sealing or non-safeguarding. Self-sealing cords are designed to burn slowly and effectively put out larger flames. Nonsafeguating ones are not. They will work temporarily in smothering the fire but do not help prevent secondary fires.
Many individuals also use paracord for making personal care products and accessories. Due to its soft and durable nature, users have been able to cut, twist, and fold it into various shapes and configurations.
This article will focus on whether or not a military-grade nylon parachute cord is inherently flame resistant.
How Does Paracord Burn?
When you burn alligator or leather shoelaces, nylon shoestrings, bracelet links, or any other type of jewelry made out of thin, long strips of plastic or metal, it is called char. The thick, solid pieces never melt down so they cannot be burned as fuel!
When you burn this kind of material, an oxygen-rich environment is created at the combustion surface which allows for faster burning and more complete combustions. This happens because there are free radicals in the air that can combine with the molecules of the material to create water and carbon dioxide, leaving a charred residue behind.
These residues may include metals such as copper or iron, or else products such as silicone or rubber, each of which leaves its own distinctive chemical compound. In fact, researchers have used spectroscopy (the study of light absorption) to determine what chemicals remain in burnt materials like these.
They have found that some types of ketone compounds emerge when polyester clothing burns, while benzene and ethylbenzene are sometimes seen in plastics after they degrade. These two gases are both very harmful, even potentially toxic.
Can You Put Out Paracord Fires?
Luckily, for anyone who carries survival gear or has their own supply of paracord, knowing if paracord is considered flammable is important!
Many people assume that because you can buy rolls of paracord at any store that it is always in and out of fire safety equipment providers’ guidelines. However, this isn’t true- some companies don’t consider small pieces to be part of their product!
So what are we talking about here? A “bunch of thin strands” of 550 paracords may seem harmless, but these short sections can easily be cut into longer ones! For example, a 1/2 inch (1cm) section of 550 paracords can be extended up to 5 feet (1m)!
This means even a very little bit of extra cord could be disastrously long – making it hard to contain the flames. Due to its length, this would also make it much more difficult to rewrap the end around your wrist, neck, leg, etc. If you must go through with removing this amount of cord, try using metal shears to do so. Also, never pull on the cord by hand as this can damage or break it!
Fire officials advise against pulling apart large amounts of paracord due to the risk of internal burning. To avoid this, use strong leather gloves to pull it apart instead.
How Do I Know Which Kind Of Paracord To Buy?
Like most things, there is really no way to know for sure if tricolor nylon/polyester cord is “flammable” unless you actually test it. Luckily, you can do just that! There are several companies that will send you an ignition source (usually a lighter) along with some of their products and a disclaimer stating whether the product is considered fire resistant or not.
By law, manufacturers are obligated to describe materials as either being flame resistant or not according to EN 54 Part 1-5. If they don’t include this information in the ingredient list or in the very description of the material, then they must say clearly what chemicals were used to produce the finished product.
This isn’t always easy to find out, but fortunately, there are many resources available to help. Companies typically use at least one national organization to verify if the product is described as fire resistant. These organizations have professionals who test various types of materials so that people can determine if they are safe or not by looking up the descriptions for each item.
How to avoid paracord burns
Many people get confused about whether or not paracord is actually flammable. Some believe that because they have never seen it burn, then it cannot be. This is very wrong!
Most individuals who use paracord for survival purposes do so out of practicality. They understand how strong and durable a cord can be, and thus make sure it does not break down in a situation where you need it.
That being said, there are ways to determine if a length of paracord will burst into flames when exposed to air or heat. By learning these tips, you will know what works for your specific needs!
Beware of false information
There are many rumors online about whether or not certain colors of paracord are more likely to catch fire than others. These claims usually arise due to someone trying to promote their own product by saying that theirs is safer than another’s.
However, there is no true safety color of paracord. What matters most is the thickness and material of the strand itself. The thinner and heavier the better! That way, you will have to cut less of it off to achieve the same size piece.
Thicker strands take longer to burn, making them impractical in a crisis situation. It is best to find one that is thin and heavy, to begin with before thinking about switching brands.
Why You Shouldn’t Wear Parachute Cord Around Your Neck
Many people have heard of parachutists using thin, lightweight nylon rope to make bracelets or necklaces. This is referred to as the parachute cord. Some people also refer to it as survival bracelet material or emergency preparedness jewelry.
Many people don’t realize that this parachute cord is actually not very fire-resistant at all! If you pull enough slack out of the knots, then the end will begin to melt and burn easily.
Furthermore, due to its thin nature, if you put some pressure on the cord, it can break, making it useless for surviving an accident. In fact, several survivors had to cut off their own necklace pieces to avoid burning to death because the cord would not hold up under stress.
It is important to note that most national organizations that certify individuals as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) require students to take a written test in addition to practice exams. These tests include questions about first aid practices and protocols for identifying and treating various medical conditions, etc.
So if you are interested in becoming an EMT, you should make sure your knowledge of first aid is top-notch before taking the exam. There may be additional costs depending on what state you live in to become certified, but overall it is worth the investment.
How to Choose the Right Survival Paracord for Your Needs
Many people have heard of or seen pictures of “military grade” or “army issued” 550 paracords, but what is that actually made off?
That term seems very flashy, but it can be confusing. More often than not, the military-grade paracord is just thicker (and more expensive) than the standard 550 paracords!
Thicker paracord may look cool in a store, but it does nothing more than make your wallet feel fat!
There are several different types of paracord out there. Some are much thicker and longer than others. Becoming familiar with the various thicknesses and applications will help you determine which one is right for you!
This article will talk about some things to consider when picking up new rolls of paracord for fire survival purposes.
How to Safely Store Paracord
As we mentioned before, standard 550-diameter military-grade nylon is no longer your friendly neighborhood shopping source for all of your survival gear.
Many people have made a large income off of selling various types of “paracord” that are actually not approved by the U.S. government as authentic military-grade equipment.
These products are often marketed as strong durable ropes that can be used in a variety of ways. But none of these products meet the federal requirements for thickness or chemical content, making them useless when needed most.
Thickness requirements exist to ensure that the cord will hold up under rigorous situations so it does not need to be stronger than it needs to be! Unfortunately, many versions of para roping contain thinner cords that may break down during use. This could cost you vital seconds if you need help securing yourself or someone else or want to make certain knots.
We recommend staying clear of such products unless they are confirmed to be certified military materiel.