Introduction: Quick Release Survival Bracelet/Quick Release Paracord Bracelet

About: I have a great passion for cooking, crafting, fixing, or building stuff!

Please watch the video below to understand how this bracelet works. It's very cool!.


Throughout this tutorial I will demonstrate how to make a "Quick Release Survival Bracelet". ParaVival is my new gear company, and it's also short for paracord-survival. This particular bracelet comes with up to 15 feet of paracord and can completely unraveled in under 20 seconds, perfect for any emergency or survival situation.

I also run a small boutique called Rusticlub

Thanks!

Step 1: What You'll Need

What You'll Need: Check out our Paracord Kits
-We use a small piece of wood about 3' x 1'. Plywood works great for this. We simply screw an eyehook into it so we can attach the shackle to it while working. You can see the eye hook at the top of the picture below. Again, this is optional. You can do this by simply holding it it your hands.

Step 2: Step 1: Measuring Your Wrist

1. Take a cord and wrap it around your wrist where your bracelet would be. Make sure it's snug, and not too loose. We take this into consideration, your bracelet will not be tight!

2. With a marker, make a line across the cord like shown in part 2 of the diagram.

3. I’ve darkened the lines in Photoshop so you can see a better example here in part 3 of the diagram.

4. Now lay your cord out straight on a table and measure from line to line.

Step 3: Step 2: Starting Off With a Cow Hitch

  • The numbers below correspond to the numbers in the diagram.
  • Start by finding the middle point of your cord by taking both ends and placing them together and then following the cord down to the loop at the end.
  1. Take the middle point, or the loop if you will, and put it through your Stainless Steal Shackle
  2. Find your two ends and prepair to place them through the loop.
  3. Place the two loose ends through your loop on the other side of the shackle.
  4. This is what it should look like.

Step 4: Step 3: Creating Your Inner Cords and Measuring for Wrist Size

  • The numbers below correspond to the numbers in the diagram.
  1. Form two loops using your fingers and bring the cord down roughly 7-8 inches.
  2. Separate the cords to form to hanging loops like shown in part 2 of the diagram.
  3. Bring them closer together so you can get an accurate measurement. Lay a tape measure or ruler down next to your cords and prep for measurement. You want to measure from the middle of the shackle bolt to the end of the loops which you have taped at the bottom. **NOTE: You must add 1" to your wrist measurement. For example, the persons wrist for the bracelet below was around 8 inches, so we are measuring this around 9 inches to end up with the correct sizing.

Step 5: Step 4: Temporary Step: Taping Ends to Insure Accurate Measurement and Stable Weaving

  1. Tape off your ends after measuring correctly.
  2. At this point you are ready to start your braiding process.

Step 6: Step 5: Stabilizing the Top of Your Bracelet to Begin Braiding. Essential Step in Overall Outcome of Bracelet.

-Make sure this is nice and tight when you begin braiding.
  1. Take your left cord and lay it over the inner cords.
  2. Wrap the same cord around the back of the inner cords and back onto the left side.
-It should look like it does in part 2 of the diagram.
-You are now ready to start your first Gator braid.

Step 7: Step 6: Completing Your First Gator Braid.


-Now theres a lot to take in here so take your time and follow the steps 1 by 1.

-Remember the numbers below correspond to the numbers in the diagram below.

-The arrows in the diagram show whether the cords should be going over or under certain other cords. Follow them closely.
  1. Take your left cord (which you just wrapped over and around back to the left side) and go over "inner cord 1" and under "inner cord 2".
  2. Take your right cord and thread it under the cord you just brought over.
  3. Now thread the same right cord over the "inner cord 2" and under the "inner cord 1".
  4. Now with that same cord, thread it under and through the loop which was created. Remember to use the diagram below to help you. It is very clear and shows you where your cord should go.
  5. This is what the braid should look like before tightening.
  6. Push up with your finger so it's nice and tight against the cow hitch/shackle.

Step 8: Step 6: Completing Your Second Braid.

-Remember the numbers below correspond to the numbers in the diagram below.

-The arrows in the diagram show whether the cords should be going over or under certain other cords. Follow them closely.
  1. Take your right cord and bring it under the "2nd inner cord" and over the"1st inner cord".
  2. Take your left cord and place it over the right cord which you just brought over.
  3. Continue the left cord under the "1st inner cord" and over the "2nd inner cord".
  4. Continue the same cord over and through the loop as shown in part 4 of the diagram.
  5. This is what it should look like before tightening.
  6. A finished, tightened Gator stitch.

Step 9: Step 7: This May Occur

  1. While braiding your bracelet you may end up with a gap between your shackle and your braids.
  2. The numbers in the diagram correspond to the numbers below.
  3. This is what it will look like it if happens.
  4. Hold the two inner individual cords of each of the "inner cords" and push up on the braid. It will slide back up into place.

Step 10: Step 8: Weaving Down to the End

  • The numbers in the diagram correspond to the numbers below.
  1. Once you are a good portion of the way down, you can undo the tape you applied.
  2. This is a close up of what your brads should look like.
  3. Braid all the way down until you have 1/2" left.

Step 11: Step 9: Cutting and Melting the Ends

  • The numbers in the diagram correspond to the numbers below.
  1. Place yut scissors about an 1/8" away from the bracelet and snit the cord on either side.
  2. With your lighter melt the ends so the cord doesn't fray. Once you pull the lighter away, your going to want to use your hands (we suggest dipping you fingers in water or licking them first to avoid a burn) to smoothen over the ends creating a mushroom head type shape on each end of the cord. This allows the cords to lock into place so they don't slide out.
  3. This is what it should look like. Make sure to make this the side of the bracelet which is against your wrist so the ends are hidden.

Step 12: Putting It On

  1. Slide the 2 loops onto the side of the shackle which has the threads on it.
  2. Put your shackle bolt on and tighten.
  3. Pull the loops back over onto the shackle bolt.

Step 13: And You're Done!

Check out my online boutique for awesome hand-crafted products: Rusticlub