Jordan J. is a 36-year-old outdoorsman from Athol, Idaho.
In August 2019, he was dropped alone in the Canadian Arctic with just 10 items he’d picked himself.
No camera crews, no support team, no resupply.
Just Jordan, the wilderness, and whatever he could build or catch.
He was competing on History Channel’s “Alone” Season 6 – one of the toughest survival challenges ever filmed.
Contestants face real starvation, freezing temperatures, and predator threats.
Most participants quit within two weeks.
Jordan lasted 77 days.
His secret weapon wasn’t a fancy knife or high-tech gear.
It was a paracord – specifically 550 paracord, the military-grade cord that holds up to 550 pounds.
When picking his 10 items, Jordan chose paracord over a pre-made fishing net.
That decision changed everything.
He used the paracord to hand-weave a full fishing net.
Using the net, fish became his main food source.
Additionally, he wove trip wires around his camp to warn him when predators approached his food stash.
Most importantly, on his final day – Day 77 – he used his paracord net to pull a massive 25-pound pike through frozen lake ice.
This demonstrates how paracord is one of the most versatile survival tools you can carry.
It’s lightweight, incredibly strong, and can be used for hundreds of different jobs in emergency situations.
What makes paracord so effective:
True 550 paracord is rated to hold 550 pounds of weight.
It has a woven nylon outer covering around seven inner strands.
Each inner strand has two or three smaller threads that can be separated out.
This means one length of paracord actually gives you eight separate cord options.
Use the full cord for heavy jobs like securing loads or building shelters.
Strip out the inner strands for fishing line, stitches, sewing repairs, or dental floss.
The outer covering alone can be used for lighter tasks after removing the core.
This versatility is why military people carry paracord on every mission.
Real-world paracord uses:
Building fishing nets and lines:
Jordan wove an entire gill net from the paracord that became his lifeline.
Without that net, he would have likely starved.
Making emergency shelters:
Paracord works perfectly for tying together poles, branches, and tarps.
Setting traps and snares:
Jordan built multiple types of traps using paracord.
He set trip wires around his camp that connected to cans, making an early warning system.
When wolverines raided his food stash, these alarms gave him time to respond.
He also used paracord to build small game snares that caught rabbits and other animals.
Making tools and weapons:
Wrap paracord around handles to improve grip on tools and weapons.
Use it to make bow strings for hunting bows or slingshots.
Weave it into belts, straps, or carrying systems for gear.
Drawbacks to relying on paracord:
Requires knowledge to use well:
Just owning paracord isn’t enough – you need to know how to use it.
Learn basic knots like the bowline, taut-line hitch, and prusik knot.
Practice weaving nets, building shelters, and setting snares before you need these methods.
Takes up space in larger amounts:
Jordan needed substantial lengths to weave his fishing net.
Carrying 100+ feet of paracord means dedicating space in your pack or vehicle.
Consider wearing paracord bracelets so you’ve always got some with you.
What you should stock right away:
Priority 1: Have at least 200 feet of military-spec 550 paracord.
Store 100 feet in your vehicle emergency kit.
Keep another 100 feet in your bug-out bag or main gear.
Think about paracord bracelets for everyday carry – each bracelet has 8-12 feet of usable cord.
Priority 2: Learn essential knots and their uses.
Master 5-10 fundamental knots that cover most survival situations.
Practice building shelters, setting snares, and making fishing rigs with your paracord.
Watch videos or take a wilderness course to learn proper techniques.
Priority 3: Inspect and rotate your cord regularly.
Review your paracord every 6 months for signs of sun damage or wear.
Replace any cord that shows fraying, color change, or weakening.
Practice with the older cord before throwing it out so nothing goes to waste.
Once you learn what it can do, 550 cord becomes one of the most valuable tools in your survival arsenal.
