Survival Bracelet (Updated!) by tevers94
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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.
 
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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

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gilleseg says: Feb 24, 2010. 2:06 PM
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 (author) says: Mar 26, 2010. 2:00 PM
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 says: Mar 26, 2010. 2:28 PM
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 (author) says: Apr 4, 2010. 2:32 PM
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 says: Apr 5, 2010. 10:18 AM

5* dude! this is great!

jstnjns says: Oct 28, 2010. 11:14 AM
Very cool! Thanks for the instructions!
Supasoldier27 says: Sep 22, 2011. 9:41 AM
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 (author) says: Sep 22, 2011. 1:52 PM
That's really interesting, I enjoy hearing stories like this.
tevers94 (author) says: Jan 21, 2012. 3:54 PM
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 says: Mar 16, 2012. 6:41 PM
this is pretty cool i made one for scouts and everyone thought that i bought it online
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Apxeon says: May 18, 2013. 6:43 PM
what size clip did you use?
basicLaser says: Jan 26, 2013. 5:43 AM
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 (author) says: Jan 26, 2013. 9:24 AM
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 says: Sep 27, 2012. 9:05 PM
Already made 3 bracelets using your method - thank's
emdarcher says: Sep 7, 2012. 7:56 AM
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 says: Apr 9, 2012. 8:39 AM
Thanks so much!!!
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sunshine73 says: Jul 21, 2012. 3:44 AM
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 says: Jul 4, 2012. 12:33 AM
Thank you for your step by step process.
jmoore33 says: Oct 29, 2011. 5:26 PM
could you use any strong string all i have is kite string sewing string twinelike stuff and horse rope
The3rdPunch says: May 15, 2012. 3:44 PM
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 says: Oct 29, 2011. 5:35 PM
i have fishing rope too
tevers94 (author) says: Oct 30, 2011. 9:02 AM
you could use yarn if you had to, but the survival capabilities would be limited. it still looks the same though.
James3490 says: Oct 27, 2011. 10:05 PM
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 says: Apr 29, 2012. 6:26 AM
I saw them somewhere online because I wanted to get them too, but each one was like $20!!!
cordman says: Jan 20, 2012. 7:42 PM
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 (author) says: Jan 21, 2012. 3:59 PM
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 says: Jan 10, 2012. 5:46 AM
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 says: Nov 25, 2011. 10:33 PM
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 (author) says: Jan 7, 2012. 10:16 AM
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 says: Jan 7, 2012. 6:44 PM
Yaayyy! Now the only trouble I have is what color to make it xD Thanks!
tevers94 (author) says: Jan 8, 2012. 10:31 AM
That's the biggest challenge!
That One Eegit says: Jan 6, 2012. 3:40 PM
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 says: Dec 18, 2011. 5:15 AM
if you make one, how much would it sell for... (a quick release one)
tevers94 (author) says: Dec 18, 2011. 8:03 PM
Eh, it depends. I don't really have that many colors, in fact very few. What were you looking for?
CaseBoy says: Nov 25, 2011. 4:46 PM
please make a instuctable on this weave
lkuziez9680 says: Nov 23, 2011. 4:32 AM
could you just add how to do the first few steps of the prototype
otherwise this is great
tevers94 (author) says: Nov 23, 2011. 8:44 AM
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 says: Nov 21, 2011. 3:58 PM
really cool Bracelet
ninjasamurai says: Nov 13, 2011. 1:17 PM
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 says: Aug 18, 2011. 4:03 PM
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.
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