Slide-n-Tie Survival Bracelet

 When I first started out making survival bracelets, I didn't have any side release clips. Eager to get started, I didn't wait to get any before I made one. This is what I came up with as a solution to my buckleless predicament.

Step 1: Materials

For making this bracelet you will need:

1. 9' - 10' of Paracord (dependent on your wrist size)
2. Carabineer
3. Scissors
4. Lighter

Optional:

1. Weight
2. Second carabineer

Comments

[Shadow Ranger]

NOTICE: I have changed the amount of Paracord needed for this project. I didn't realize before that I wrote what was needed for a side-release clip bracelet. I apologize for any inconvenience to anyone!

I thank everyone for their support!

[hms1997]

Where did you find this color cord?

[Shadow Ranger]

I bought it at one of my local surplus stores. It's 7 Strand 550 Parachute Cord made by Atwood Rope MFG. The color is called Aquatica. You may have a dealer near you or you can buy it online on their website (www.atwoodrope.net), $10.99 for 100 feet. I would suggest finding a dealer in your area because it's likely to be cheaper.

[hms1997]

I found one similar to that at Brigadoon Army Surplus In OKC and another similar one at a Hobby Lobby. Thanks!

[Chirpoff]

My wrist is 6 inches around-- that is to say-- small! :) Is 4ft. 7in. too little paracord? Am I looking at more like eight feet?

[Shadow Ranger]

Yes, you would need 8'. With 4' 7" you might be able to make a key chain but for a bracelet you will need more. If you're worried about waisting paracord at the end of your project, just use 8' and if you have more cord left over than you would like, pull all the knots to one side and  keep on doing the Cobra until there is no more room. This will give you more cord in your finished bracelet too, so you can brag about how much is in a smaller bracelet! :D Hope this has helped you.

[Chirpoff]

Thanks so much! If I use a side-release clip on one of my bracelets, would I need more or less paracord? What's the sizing difference between the two?

[Shadow Ranger]

With a side-release clip bracelet you wouldn't need as much. The reason a Slide-n-Tie bracelet needs more is to make sure you have enough at the end of your project to tie up and secure your bracelet. A side-release clip takes the place of the extra paracord needed, so that's why it requires less than a Slide-n-Tie.

Sorry, Chirpoff,  for the delay in replying!

[Chirpoff]

That's alright, thanks for the info! I have actually made about 14 of them with clips since I last wrote that, LOL. They turned out great, and it would have taken much longer for me to get that far without your inspiration and help. They were a big hit on my color guard team at Civil Air Patrol. Thank you very much!

[MrRedwood]

Since you did put "survival" in the title of this, it would be nice if you could add steps that show how it would be used, as opposed to just worn as a decoration.

Specifically, if you needed to unravel this back to plain cord, can you show us what steps to follow?

[zac_9687]

if you need steps to unfavel the bracelet back to a cord. just start at the end and go backwards...

[MrRedwood]

The reason I ask the instructor for a clear presentation of this is because I dearly hope you're wrong: if one needs to spend as much time unravelling this as one did creating it, then it is useless in an emergency.

I suspect this is one of the designs that lets you pull through the original loop — the one that was hanging from the hook — and all the knots just fall apart. That would give you back usable cord within a matter of a minute. But I haven't yet created one, and my topological sense isn't good enough to see whether those "cobra knots" are the good ones.

I know I've seen designs in backpacking forums that are criticized for being as time-consuming to unravel as they are to create; I hope this isn't one.

[Shadow Ranger]

The core loop CAN be pulled out. But pulling the core loop out is impossible to do with your fingers so using a stick to loosen the two loops makes it better. However, with the Cobra Knot once the center is gone, the knots are still tied. You have to undo all of them, which is where your handy stick comes in again. Hope this has helped you and everyone.

[darman12]

The author is not the one that came up with the name. "Survival Bracelet" is just what everybody calls it. This is because when you unravel it you get about 6 feet of cord and it can go around your wrist for a cool bracelet.

Also, in a lot of survival situations you wouldn't need the cord unraveled instantly anyway. Plus, it is better than nothing anyway. And it doesn't take as long to unravel as it does to make.

One last thing. The survival bracelet is always created with the cobra knot, otherwise it isn't a survival bracelet.

[caveman_dick]

I disagree with the comment about cobra knot being the only survival bracelet, I class it as anything that can be easily unravelled to get back the original length.

I personally prefer the sinnet braid version (http://www.instructables.com/id/Survival-Bracelet-II/) as once the end knot is unpicked it can be just pulled apart. I admit it's not as nice looking as the cobra weave but much more useful in an emergency situation.

[darman12]

Ok, I see what you are saying. The reason I said "the survival bracelet is always created with the cobra knot" is because bracelets made this way are almost always called "Survival bracelets". There are also commonly called "Survival bracelets" or "Cobra bracelets". Thank you for your input!

[scaffnet]

I too am a little baffled by the infatuation with paracord. Seriously, how is this cord any better in a 'survival' situation than other cord, a knife, or a book of matches?

Someone please educate me!

[zac_9687]

the reason why everyone talks about paracord in a survival situation is because if youre out in nature anywhere, cordage is worth its weight in gold. you can use it for everything from holding shelter together to carrying things to making snares or other traps and even to stitch wounds. the reason why PARACORD specifically is so special is because its different than regular rope. where rope is twisted into one strand, paracord is actually hundreds of individual threads covered in a woven outer rope, so if need be you can actually pull the treads OUT of the outer woven piece which gives you the possibility of multiplying your cordage many fold. and since cordage=gold you get much more bang for your buck with paracord

[darman12]

I might also point out that para in paracord is short for parachute. Paracord is actually used as the cord on parachutes. Therefore, it must be very strong.

[MrRedwood]

Well, I think there is value to a paracord bracelet. Clearly it doesn't do what a knife or matches do, but most backpackers or mountain climbers with significant experience carry a length of paracord for emergencies, whether it is for securing a splint, constructing a litter, or even as a tourniquet.

And in an emergency, cord that is tangled and knotted lying somewhere deep in a pack isn't all that handy — having it right their on one's wrist obviously is. (I'm sure Aron Ralston would have appreciated one.)

But it only helps if it can very quickly and easily be unraveled into a useful length of still-strong cord. Some bracelet-making techniques involve knots that can't be easily undone. Another uses two cords, which makes the bracelet prettier but reduces its utility in emergencies.

[RyanWilliamTyler]

One question, were dose one get the paracord?

[jean griffin]

outpost centers where they carry military surplus

[zac_9687]

check local hardware stores. you may get lucky like i did and have one near you that carrys it. i live in a relitively small town, but was still able to find a store that sold it by the foot for something like $0.14 a foot. if you cant find it youll have to order it online

[darman12]

Most army surplus stores carry paracord.

[jean griffin]

love the natural no hardware method. I also love the green theme. hope to see more from you soon.

[Shadow Ranger]

Thanks Jean!

[zac_9687]

very nice ible. it was explained very well, and its very easy to follow. great job and thanks

[gary.918]

very good , i loved the way you explaned how do the braid. outstanding. very well written and photo'ed, well thought out. well done.

[realanthillkit]

Well done, project and presentation!

[alejandroro5]

Dear Member of Instructables, I saw your proyect and I like it. Thumbs Up!!!

[dimdiode]

Really nice, and neat. I guess you could add a ranger bead inside the knot on each of the ties - but it's an embellishment a lot of people will feel unnecessary. Just an option.

But going without any 'added bits & pieces' is excellent. Well done.

[SkunkRyder]

this is a well written and awesomely color coordinated instructable :) i recently ran out of clips so i'll give this a try, thanks!

[Denger]

I appreciate the fact that this design requires no extra components (buckles, clasps, etc.): it's just the bare necessities. Way to go!

[Dejaykomm]

wow, we went and got the snap clips for ours, but this one looks nicer, woll have to have a go at it. :-)