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
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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
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
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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.
Multiply the measurement from step one by 12 to obtain the total amount of
paracord, in inches, required to complete the bracelet.
3.
Note: For a 2 color bracelet, divide the calculation from Step 3 by 2. This will give you the length in
inches
4. of each color paracord required to complete the bracelet.
5.
Cut the Paracord to the correct calculated lengths using the scissors.
7
How to Make Survival Bracelets Using Paracord
Preparing Bracelet for Buckles
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.
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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.
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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”.
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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.
16
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”
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.
2.
3.
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.
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.
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.
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