Wearable First Aid Kit - a Paracord Bracelet
Intro: Wearable First Aid Kit - a Paracord Bracelet
This guide will provide ideas for building your own wearable first aid kit. The kit is built into a paracord bracelet. The medical supplies are spaced out evenly in a layer of duct tape that creates a watertight core. The paracord is then connected to the two ends of a buckles and then weaved over the supply core.
This bracelet is for sale at superessestraps.com but I wanted to provide info so others could learn how to make these straps.
This paracord bracelet is a wearable first-aid kit equipped with tools and supplies for enduring a field emergency. The loadout will allow you to start a fire to ward off hypothermia, signal for help, prep/treat/disinfect wounds, fashion a tourniquet, and much more. Use the fire striker as a cutting tool. Tie straight sticks around a broken limb to make a splint. Make a stretcher by running paracord between two long sticks, or fashion a branch drag to move an injured person. Use the duct tape as moleskin to protect against blisters or frost bite. Instantly stop bleeding with the included quick clotting package that is also used in US Military IFAKs. Clean a pre-op wound with the alcohol/iodine prep pad. Attend to stings/bites/infection s and more with included med-kits. All items wrapped inside a bright orange safety bracelet.
STEP 1: Getting Started.
You need to have some basic paracord weaving experience as this instructable will assume you can make a paracord strap.
ITEMS NEEDED:
1. Orange Paracord (google search to buy paracord)
2. Survival 3in1 Buckle. (found at superessestraps.com)
3. Scissors
4. Duct Tape
5. Lighter
6. Medical and Survival Supplies
STEP 2: Building.
First- Begin weaving a paracord bracelet. Run cord between the two buckle ends so that you have two cords as a inner core.
Second- Prep the medical supplies by placing them in a 6" strap of duct tape. Space out the items evenly along the strap of tape so that it does not become bulky. Use caution to not place items near the two areas where the bracelet will naturally bend to shape to a circular form to fit a wrist. Wrap the items up to form a tubular shape.
Third. Lay supply core full of medical items along the center of the strap and weave over with paracord.
OPTIONS FOR ADDING TO SURVIVAL/FIRST AID CORE:
0- *10-15' Paracord, Type III, 550lb: 7 inner nylon strands each w/ 2 braided strings. Replace shoestrings, make a bow saw, lash together logs to create a raft, make a bear bag, use as fishing line, tie down gear, create snare traps, fashion a clothesline or tent frame, etc. Bright Orange Blaze color allows bracelet to be easily seen and utilized. TIPS: Fashion a tourniquet to slow loss of blood(Warning, this is a worst case scenario tip). Wrap a few loops around and place a stick to use as a tightening rod. Create stretcher by running paracord between two limbs, or make a branch drag to move an injured person. Tie straight sticks around a broken limb to make a splint. Tie a sling to secure a broken arm. Sew up a wound using the internal strands as sutures.
1- Nylon Strands: Each bracelet includes 125-250 feet of cordage. 35lb rating per strand. Utilize the inner strands of paracord sheath as fishing line, sutures, sheltering lashes, strapping, etc.
2- *Fire Steel Ferro Rod: Start a fire when paired with striker. TIPS: To start a fire hold rod hand or press tip against hard surface while lighting into tinder nest. Scrape slowly to shave off Ferro shards for use as combustible tinder. Strike quickly to ignite tinder. Reflect sparks into nest of fine tinder, provide oxygen flow by blowing into the base of flame.TIPS: Ward off hypothermia by building a fire. Alert search and rescue teams of your location with short whistle blasts. Cauterize an open wound to prevent infection and blood loss.
3- *Ceramic Striker and Blade: Zerconia, abrasion/corrosion resistant, 8 times durability compared to standard blade, razor sharp, non-metallic, concealed blade. TIPS: Strike against fire steel to create fire sparks, cut open packages, use as prying tool or reflective mirror, fillet fish, etc.
4- *Emergency Whistle: Pealess, high-decibel alert, with improvised storage space. TIPS: Signal for help: One whistle blast, "where are you", two blasts, "come here", three blasts, "help me". Signal the SOS distress call with 3 short, 3 long, & 3 short blasts.
5- Two Black Steel Plated Security Pins: (heavy duty safety pin).TIPS: Provide sustenance by fashioning a fishing hook and pairing with paracord strands to catch food. Remove a splinter.
6- F.A.T. First Aid Tinder Packet: quick light cotton fire tinder soaked in anti-bacterial treatment.TIPS: Quickly get a fire started using as tinder. Apply anti-bacterial ointment to injury to prevent infection and aid in recovery.
7- MSR Aquatab Water Purification Tablet (2liter treatment): Add 1 tab to 2l clear water, mix 10 minutes, let stand for 30 min, hydrate.TIPS: Stave off dehydration.
8- Duct Tape Tinder Strapping: (MIL-SPEC 100mph). Heavy duty adhesive Duct Tape with added flammable cloth strands allowing a slow tar like burn. Stick to your kindling and ignite or wrap around a limb to use as a torch. TIPS: Apply as a watertight bandage. Use in place of mole skin to ease blisters.
9- Sealed Bandage: with adhesive backing and sterile dressing.
10- Wound Seal, Quick Clotting Occlusive Dressing: Sterile prepackaged topical powder. Equivalent treatment found US Army medical care practices. TIPS: Instantly stop bleeding from open wounds.
11- *Two Ranger Bands: Fire Tender & Smoke Signal (30 Second burn time), heavy duty rubber band, bandage for fingers. TIPS: Use band to secure smaller medical items to your bracelet.
12- *LiveFire's FireCord Core Tinder Wick: a strand of tinder coated in combustible fuel, easily ignites, burns hot, long burn time. TIPS: Remove wick, fray wick into smaller strands to increase surface area, light.
13- Signal Mirror: Reflective surface to communicate distress and rescue signals.
14- Alcohol Prep Pad Kit: 70% Isopropyl Alc. Antiseptic-Sterile, Packaged in plastic tube which doubles as fire tinder/smoke signal. TIPS: Prep a wound for care, sanitize hands, use as fuel.
15- S.B.K. Sting & Burn Kit, Lidocaine HCL & Ethyl Alcohol: Pre-saturated analgesic wipe to prevent infection and relieve pain from stings, bites, scrapes, and burns. Packaged in waterproof & burnable plastic tinder straw. TIPS: To treat a snake bite A. Tourniquet above bite, B. Suck out venom, C. Treat/Disinfect wound. D. Remove Tourniquet and R.I.CE.
16- Anti-Septic Iodine Kit: Povidone Iodine (10% USP), First Aid antiseptic and germicide to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and minor burns. Packaged in waterproof & burnable plastic tinder straw.
17- Additional Duct Tape Tinder Strapping:
18- *Extra Two Ranger Bands: Fire Tender & Smoke Signal (30 Second burn time), heavy duty rubber band, bandage for fingers. TIPS: Use band to secure smaller medical items to your bracelet.
19- S.A.R.K: Survival Aid Repair Kit- Suture Head Sewing Needle, Monofilament Line(lashing or suture cordage), Glow Lite Strip(bright glow after short charge), 2"x2" Tinder Duct Tape Patch(Safety Orange, Fire Tinder Material) TIPS: Suture a wound shut. TIPS: Duct Tape Tinder Patch is a heavy duty adhesive Duct Tape with added flammable cloth strands allowing a slow tar like burn. TIPS: Use to patch a poncho or tent, improvise as a bandage, use as signaling panel. TIPS: Luminous Glow Light Surface charges in seconds from natural/artificial light source(flashlight, sun, phone screen) generates minutes of a low glow to complete tasks in dark environments.
20- Jute Rope: use as a tie down, fray for use as combustible fire tinder, easily ignites and burns hot.
21- Butterfly Closure: adhesive closure for treating minor lacerations- prep the wound, adhere one side of butterfly near wound and pull across opening of laceration, when skin connects and puckers adhere to opposite side, disinfect and cover wounds with gauze.
22- Two extra Sealed Bandages: with adhesive backing and sterile dressing
23- Two Allergic Anti-Reaction Tablets: In Original Sealed/Sterile 2 pack, generic Benadryl brand, Diphenhydramine Hcl 25 Mg and Antihistamine. Counteract an allergic reaction.Treats hay fever and cold symptoms, sneezing, running nose, itchy eyes, sore throat, etc. Packaged in waterproof & burnable plastic tinder straw.
24- Two Acetaminophen Tablets (325mg): In Original Sealed/Sterile 2 pack- reduces fever, relieves headache, toothache, common cold, muscular aches, arthritis, and cramps.
STEP 3: Your Done.
Enjoy your new everyday carry first aid kit. Wear it and be ready for anything.
If you need more help or advice contact us thru superessestraps.com
21 Comments
MillennialDIYer 6 years ago
Wow, I'm still surprised it all fit in there. It's the paracord equivalent of a clown car! Good component choice, too.
PhilipH44 8 years ago
I have had a look at this and others. We would be dealing with very small items in a less than optimum environment. So once we disassemble the bracelet what do we do with all the very small bits of kit??
Theelvenarcher 8 years ago
my only criticism would be that medical supplys are needed FAST so having then tied up in a bracelet wont help anyone much.
PhilipH44 8 years ago
It is possible to make a quick release paracord bracelet shouldnt be too hard to do a modification
Sameraakearl 8 years ago
I like your ideas!!!
apehrson 8 years ago
privateer56 8 years ago
I have to correct at least one of your tips. NEVER suck snake venom out of a wound. You will be intentionally ingesting and absorbing venom into your blood through the capillaries in your mouth and mixing it with your saliva to be swallowed. Always research first aid techniques and seek medical advice before deploying any medical supplies or equipment or applying any protocols.
Tehemton 8 years ago
PyroJon 8 years ago
Snake Venom is not Poison and unless you have an open and bleeding cut in your mouth it cannot hurt you. Snake venom cannot be absorbed into the skin or into the capillaries in your mouth and it is harmless if swallowed.
https://www.google.com/search?q=can+you+drink+snake+venom&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
DavidM367 8 years ago
still, it ain't worth the risk. all you do is make two ER patients instead of one. even if you can, it does not mean you should. especially if there is a medical emergency.
Trbiesinger 8 years ago
The underside of the tongue is one of the most absorbent places in the body and goes directly into the blood stream, this is why they give old people heart attack suppressing sprays under the tongue... because it works fast.
48thRōnin 8 years ago
I agree with both of your views. I agree snake venom is not poisonous; however are you 100% sure that you don't have any cuts blisters, raw areas in your mouth? Did you perhaps bite you tongue/cheek or flossed too heavily. Unless if you're 100% sure, it is never a good idea to ingest snake venom. If anybody is interested in reading further on the subject of treating snake bites please follow this link:
https://www.google.com/search?q=proper+techniques+...
alisterdark 8 years ago
Sorry, I'm trying to imagine how to 'wrap' the supplies in duct tape. The tape you're using looks more like electrical tape, though it could just be the pictures. Could you post a photo of the wrapping process?
Cat00x 8 years ago
I wonder about the weight on your wrist. Perhaps that's not an issue. I suppose you could make it into a belt somehow (add more things to the packet?) which would distribute the weight. Thanks for a very interesting instructable!
GregF12 8 years ago
After some practice making regular paracord wrist straps, this looks like FUN!!
crabapple0001 8 years ago
I like that you showed how you added the kit to the Bracelet.
I would not replace my carry FAK for this kit, but it is better then nothing.
The only problem I see is how long it would take to open your bracelet kit.
My carry First Aid Kit opens as quick as reaching in my pocket/bag & opening the lid.
It is a smart, easy way to always have some aid with you at all times
Thanks for sharing.
bman46 8 years ago
bman46 8 years ago
DylanD581 8 years ago
Awesome Survival Project. Is it comfortable to wear?
mavrick12346 8 years ago