How to Make a Survival Bracelet Out of Nylon Rope

Cordage is one of the most important tools a hiker can carry. Consisting of a length of strong, woven cord, survival bracelets provide hikers with 10 to 13 feet of extra cordage and are secured to the wrist for easy access. Developed by the military, 550 paracord is a lightweight cord composed of strands within a nylon sheath. Easy to tie and quick to unweave, paracord can hold up to 550 pounds of weight, making it an invaluable tool in an emergency.

Things You'll Need

  • 10 to 13 feet of paracord
  • Slide release buckle
  • Scissors
  • Lighter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unhook the slide release buckle. Fold the paracord in half, creating a loop in the middle. Push the loop through the bottom of one of the ends of the buckle. Pull the ends of the cord through the loop to secure the buckle in place.

    • 2

      Measure your bracelet by wrapping the cord around your wrist, using the end of the buckle as your starting point. Find the point where the paracord meets the buckle, add 1 inch, and slide the other end of the buckle to this point. You should be left with a length of cord big enough to accommodate your wrist, bookended by the ends of the buckle. Two dangling strands of paracord should run parallel to the middle band.

    • 3

      Begin with the left-hand strand of cord. Cross the strand underneath the middle band of cord to create a loop on the left. Ensure that the strand passes over the strand on the right.

    • 4

      Cross the right hand strand overtop of the middle band and through the loop you made on the left. Pull the strands to secure the first half of the cobra weave knot. Repeat the process with the right-hand strand to finish the first knot.

    • 5

      Continue tying the knots, alternating between left and right, until you reach the end of the bracelet. Cut the remaining strands of cord.

    • 6

      Singe the ends of the cord with the lighter to melt the nylon coating and prevent the ends of the cord from fraying. Use the butt of the lighter to press the melted ends against the nylon of the finished bracelet, fusing the two together to prevent the bracelet from coming unraveled.