Video: Rappelling on paracord? – Don’t do it!

If you’ve spent any time around mountain sports or professions where ropes are used, you’ll probably answer this question with a clear and immediate “NO!” When you trust your life to a rope, it should be certified and provide sufficient safety reserves. However, since paracord is relatively strong, this question might still be worth a closer look. Of course, I strongly advise against imitating any of this!

To get an initial reference point, I used a Linescale load cell to measure the approximate load at which the paracord breaks. For this, I dynamically swung into the rope, and I only did each test once per type of cord. These values should therefore be considered only rough indicators, not accurate measurements. One strand of 550 parachute cord broke at 1.83 kN, and one strand of 750 parachute cord at 2.3 kN. So there’s not much margin — and sharp edges on the rock, especially over longer descents, pose a significant risk. That’s why I used a backup mobile fall-arrest device (Petzl ASAP) for this test. While rappelling, it runs with me, and if the paracord breaks, I’ll be hanging from the ASAP on a thick 11 mm rope.