How to Make Survival Bracelets Using Paracord Prepared by: Devon Mitchell, James Moreno Alma Ruiz, and Kody Wade
Table of Contents Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS... III INTRODUCTION TO HOW TO MAKE PARACORD SURVIVAL BRACELETS... 1 What is paracord?... 1 Paracord Survival Bracelets... 1 MATERIALS NEEDED... 3 PREPARING YOUR WORKSPACE... 5 SURVIVAL BRACELET INSTRUCTIONS... 7 Measurement of Bracelet... 7 Preparing Bracelet for Buckles... 8 Attaching Buckles... 9 Braiding of the Bracelet... 13 Finishing Bracelet... 17 CLEANING YOUR WORKSPACE... 19 TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR SURVIVAL BRACELET... 21 Common Problems... 21 iii
Introduction to making Paracord Survival Bracelets Introduction to How to Make Paracord Survival Bracelets What is paracord? Paracord is a lightweight nylon rope originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. Once in the field, paratroopers found this cord useful for many other reasons. This versatile cord is now used as a general purpose utility cord by both military personnel and civilians. The cord comes in a variety of colors and its 7 inner strands provide its strength. Typical uses include attaching equipment to harnesses, strapping to avoid losing items, tying items to vehicle racks, and securing objects to trees or vehicles. Paracord Survival Bracelets In addition to utility uses, Paracord can be used to create knotted or braided bracelets. By following the steps in this instruction manual, you will learn how to make your very own Paracord survival bracelets. 1
Materials Needed Materials Needed Contoured Buckle Lighter Measuring Tape Paracord Pliers Scissors 3
Preparing your workspace Preparing Your Workspace Before you begin making your bracelet, you will need a clean flat working area. Once you have established your work area, you will lay out your materials needed on your work area so they are within reach while making your survival bracelet. 5
Survival Bracelet Instructions Survival Bracelet Instructions Measurement of Bracelet 1. Wrap a length of paracord around the wrist you want the bracelet around and mark the length. 2. Measure the marked length of paracord from step 1 and add half of an inch to the measurement to allow for comfort. 3. Multiply the measurement from step one by 12 to obtain the total amount of paracord, in inches, required to complete the bracelet. Note: For a 2 color bracelet, divide the calculation from Step 3 by 2. This will give you the length in inches of each color paracord required to complete the bracelet. 4. 5. Cut the Paracord to the correct calculated lengths using the scissors. 7
Preparing Bracelet for Buckles How to Make Survival Bracelets Using Paracord Caution: Melted para-cord is extremely hot and will cause burns. Do not touch any melted paracord until it has cooled completely. 1. With extreme caution, melt one end of each color paracord with the lighter and, while still melted, press them together to form a single length of paracord with the melted joint in the middle 2. Slightly melt the joint with the lighter and clamp flat with pliers until the joint has cooled. 8
Survival Bracelet Instructions 3. Fold the length of paracord in half using the melted joint as the halfway point. Attaching Buckles 1. Thread two inches of the now folded in half paracord through the female end of the buckle starting from the concave side to the opposite side to form a loop coming out of the buckle. 9
How to Make Survival Bracelets Using Paracord 2. Take the two ends of the paracord and thread them through the loop made by the melted joint. 3. Melt each end of the paracord with the lighter and, while still hot, clamp each end with pliers until cool. 10
Survival Bracelet Instructions 4. Thread the two ends through the male buckle starting on the front side of the buckle and back down through the rear side of the buckle. 11
How to Make Survival Bracelets Using Paracord 5. Pull the male buckle to the female buckle until the paracord in between the two buckles is as long as your measurement from step two. Note: If you are using two colors, decide what color you would like to border the bracelet and what color you would like to fill in the center. 12
Survival Bracelet Instructions Braiding of the Bracelet 1. Take the color you decided to fill in the center and form a backward S across the two center strands. 2. Weave the strand you have decided to be the border through the top of the bottom circle of the S. 13
How to Make Survival Bracelets Using Paracord 3. Thread the strand under the two center strands and through the top circle of the backwards S. 4. Pull the slack of the woven strand through the backwards S. 14
Survival Bracelet Instructions 5. Pull both strands until tight and against the buckle. 6. Make an S with the center color. 15
How to Make Survival Bracelets Using Paracord 7. Thread the border color through the bottom circle of the S under the center strand and back through the top circle made by the S 16
Survival Bracelet Instructions Finishing Bracelet 1. Pull both strands tight and repeat section Braiding of the Bracelet until you reach the end of the bracelet. 2. Cut the excess paracord off of the bracelet leaving about an eighth of an inch of paracord left sticking out from the bracelet. 17
How to Make Survival Bracelets Using Paracord 3. Melt the two strands with the lighter until they are almost flush with the bracelet then push flat against the bracelet using the lighter. 4. Once the bracelet is cooled, buckle the bracelet around your wrist to ensure proper fit. 18
Cleaning Your Workspace Cleaning Your Workspace Dispose of leftover paracord in a trash bin. Return materials back to their proper locations 19
Troubleshooting Your Survival Bracelet Troubleshooting Your Survival Bracelet Common Problems 1. Bracelet does not have the same braid all the way through the bracelet. If this problem has happened to you refer back to the Instructions Braiding the Bracelet. 2. When burning the paracord do not allow the paracord to be engulfed by the flame. Can be very dangerous and may cause injury. Refer to the Instructions. 3. If bracelet turns out to be too short we suggest that you restart on a new one and carefully follow the measuring instructions and start the braiding process over. 21
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