Survival Bracelet (Updated!)

Survival bracelets are often seen on soldiers in war or hikers in the woods.  Real 550 paracord has 7 inner strands.  The paracord sheath is rated at about 300-pounds.  7 strands made up on two strings each for a rating of 35 pounds.  14 inner strings, each of which have a rating of about 17.5 pounds  The paracord can be used for fishing, snares, sewing, etc.  The braided outer shell is durable yet cushioned, so it is the perfect wrap for knife handles, spears, and survival gear.  So if you looking for a way to hold a little extra cord, or just a good looking bracelet, here is the answer.  Good luck, and hope you have some fun.

Step 1: Supplies

In order to make a survival bracelet you will need
-6ft of 550 Parachute Cord (or whatever you have on hand)
-Pair of scissors
-Lighter

Step 2: Measurements

The inner core of the bracelet should be the length of your wrist around twice, but add a few inches for a little leeway.  This piece of cord should be tied with an over hand knot.  The outer cord should be about 6 feet or about 2 meters. 

Step 3: The Cobra Weave

Lay the inner core of the bracelet on a flat surface or your lap.  The take your long piece and fold itin half evenly, then place that behind the inner core.  Then make an "S" with the piece to the right, top of "S" behind inner core and bottom in front.  Put right end of cord down through bottom loop of "S" then under the center and up through the top loop of the "S".  Pull tight.  Then create a backwards "S" and repeat the steps from the first "S".  Pull tight.  Repeat these processes until there is no space left.  At this point cut the excess cord and melt the ends down.

Step 4: Conclusion

Parachute cord, or para cord is versatile and user friendly.  I would like to suggest trying different colors, mixes, and uses (such as dog collars etc.)  Have fun and share the knowledge.  By the way check out The Ashley Book of Knots.  Very descriptive and useful book.

Step 5: Multi-Colored

These are the steps to making a multi-colored survival bracelet.
Step 1
Tie the two colors, that together equal about 6ft, into a square knot
Step 2
Begin the braiding process
Step 3
Undo the square knot so that there are two pieces that stick out
Step 4
Melt down both ends

Step 6: Multi-Colored Bracelet (with clip)

Materials
-Clip
-Rope (about 6 or 7 feet in two pieces)
-Scissors or Knife
-Lighter

Step 7: Quick Release Survival Bracelet (Prototype)

I was playing around with some paracord and I thought, what if I were to make a chain sinnet around a center.  It ended up looking like an offset cobra weave.  This is probably not new, but I thought it was pretty cool.  Each time I have done this I have started it a different way and I only actually made one completely that I wear.  It seems like a better design then the usual cobra weave because of the ease of access.

Step 8: Other Variations

These are a few of the different bracelets and key chains that i have made from 550 paracord.  I have become addicted...

Comments

[gilleseg]

I really look forward to your future posts, I have been dabbling in this for some time (THANK YOU to stormdrane).  I like tutorials it helps me get going and really feel confident in what I am doing.  So i say thank you for this post and future posts.  

[tevers94]

I actually first learned from stormdrane as well.  I am a guy and some times i think why am i making bracelets, but i just do it when i am watching tv or just trying to relax.  After have over 130,000 views i am much more confident about it.

[gilleseg]

You should be confident, your pictures are clear and directions well worded.  It looks good.  I know what you mean about the being a guy part, it threw me off at first too.  I gave one to a male friend of mine and then kind of looked at him like, I'm not gay or anything.... Not saying there is anything wrong with that.  But given that the bracelet I gave him was in Camo color he didn't think anything of it and had me make him one for his girlfriend.  I haven't made one in sometime because I have been busy, but again thanks for the post.

[tevers94]

I gave one to my friend and did the same thing, and my brothers says "so your making bracelets"... But he asked for one some paracord stuff in his school colors.

[Robot Lover]

5* dude! this is great!

[jstnjns]

Very cool! Thanks for the instructions!

[Supasoldier27]

Learned how to make these when I was in Iraq, found it very therapeutic after I got back and been hooked ever since. Been making them with buttons, but i am transitioning to the buckles. This should help out a lot, thanks!

[tevers94]

That's really interesting, I enjoy hearing stories like this.

[tevers94]

Please do not leave links to websites that sell survival bracelet kits. So far every one that has been posted on here has been a ripoff. The only website I am willing to promote is:

http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?category=6

I have no affiliation with the company. They have the best deals I have seen on real 550 paracord and bracelet accessories. The shipping is fast and easy.

[nhormell]

this is pretty cool i made one for scouts and everyone thought that i bought it online

[Apxeon]

what size clip did you use?

[basicLaser]

man these images suck and are not followable thanks for making me cut my cord for no reason. Elaborate or take this instructable down.

[tevers94]

Sorry my Instructable didn't help, if you'd like more information I'd recommend checking out Stormdrane's blog or youtube channel.  I hope this helps, I am currently in college so I don't have a lot of time on my hands

[TravisMorris]

Already made 3 bracelets using your method - thank's

[emdarcher]

i am totally addicted to paracord too, i have used up my first 130 feet and feel a severe deprivation of it. It is way too fun to use! (also thanks to stormdrane, and scouting)

[joelr97]

Thanks so much!!!

[sunshine73]

You have peaked my interest .... How do you make them wider like the one on the far right?
I would love to try these out for my kids

[susanchen2011]

Thank you for your step by step process.

[jmoore33]

could you use any strong string all i have is kite string sewing string twinelike stuff and horse rope

[The3rdPunch]

Just go out and get some 550 Paracord man. I got 100 feet at Walmart for less than 10 dollars. It's not expensive and it's useful on just about everything.

[jmoore33]

i have fishing rope too

[tevers94]

you could use yarn if you had to, but the survival capabilities would be limited. it still looks the same though.

[James3490]

Anyone know where to get the "adjustable shackle" as shown being used at http://www.survivalstraps.com/men/fish-tail-straps-1/survival-bracelet-fishtail.html I can find the D-shackle or an anchor shackle no problem, but the other piece they have hooked into the D-shackle I can't find. I would really love to get some to use on my bracelets.

[Adambowker98]

I saw them somewhere online because I wanted to get them too, but each one was like $20!!!

[cordman]

These instructions are great! So when I went looking for all the things that I need to make my survival bracelet I found them all in one place
survivalbraceletkits.com
they have a kits to make your own survival bracelet with 7 strand paracord 550
Outstanding!! I got my order in 2 days

[tevers94]

http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?category=6

Supply Captain is much cheaper than them, more paracord and less money. Most kits such as these are ripoffs, please do not promote those kits on my instructables.

[wagoneer]

I enjoyed making that, thanks for the tutorial. Once I'd worked out which way round to do the first 'S' it all came together nicely. This is a great way to occupy idle moments at work.

[pie popper]

Hey, so I know a dude who sells these for about $15 (USD). I really want one, but that's kinda off my budget.... Dx How much do you think the needed para cord would cost?

[tevers94]

Don't waste your money on kits, just buy from a reliable website like the one I added here. I have no affiliation with they company, but they have great deals and ship quickly. Good luck.

Paracord (where i buy)
http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=19

$7 for 100ft
#3.75 for 50ft
$1.95 for 25ft

Clips and Shackles (also where i buy the 3/8 clips)
http://www.supplycaptain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=111

[pie popper]

Yaayyy! Now the only trouble I have is what color to make it xD Thanks!

[tevers94]

That's the biggest challenge!

[That One Eegit]

If you go to a website that sells it in 1 foot increments, 10 feet would cost you a dollar or less. The buckle would cost about 30 cents.

[bakedicecream]

if you make one, how much would it sell for... (a quick release one)

[tevers94]

Eh, it depends. I don't really have that many colors, in fact very few. What were you looking for?

[CaseBoy]

please make a instuctable on this weave

[lkuziez9680]

could you just add how to do the first few steps of the prototype
otherwise this is great

[tevers94]

The third picture is basically the first step, but just a little bit in. It is actually a chain sinnet around a center piece, which ends up looking like a cobra weave. You could check out the survival bracelet 2. Let me know if you get it, or if you need some more help.

[TheLodgeShop]

really cool Bracelet

[ninjasamurai]

Wow that is awesome and it looks cool too, but I don't think i have the attention span to be able to do all of the steps

[zigzagchris]

Where do most people buy their paracord? I just bought some from sosak online cause I needed more in my order but it was a dime a foot which seems expensive.