What’s with the “survival” part of a paracord bracelet? The truth is most folks like the way they look or the meaning they hold for LEOs and Military personnel and their families and will most likely never deploy them in a true survival situation. So while “survival bracelets” have now hit the mainstream, these versatile accessories really started in the military as a way to carry this very strong and useful cord to have it on hand in case you need it.
Why a “550 Cord Bracelet”?
This comes from the fact that parachute cord is strong and versatile. Parachute cord, paracord, para-cord or 550 cord are all names to describe a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used as suspension lines of U.S. parachutes. The 550 cord consists of a 32 strand woven nylon outer sheath with an inner core of seven, 2 ply nylon yarns.
When it comes to using this cord in a survival situation, not all paracord is created equal — especially now that China has jumped on the paracord bracelet bandwagon! Don’t count on that being military grade or having the tensile strength you would need in a survival situation. That is why it behooves you to know where the cord for your items is manufactured. Unless of course you just want to make a fashion statement — then this paragraph is a moot point.
All of my products are made in the U.S.A. with mil-spec MIL-C-5040H type III requirement cord and have a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds (that’s where the 550 comes from). My cord comes from the same U.S. factory that is a government contractor to supply the military, so quality is assured.
A King Cobra Bracelet, which is a substantial bracelet, in one color is your best bet as it will contain the longest continuous length of para cord for you to wear (see photo below). Most 550 cord bracelets, again in on color, allow you to carry a good amount of cord in the case you need it.
What are the uses for a Paracord Bracelet?
If the need arises, you can unravel your bracelet and use it to:
- Tie up gear.
- Make a shelter.
- Use the inner core for fishing line or sutures.
- Use inner strands to mend fabric.
- Make a splint for a broken limb.
- Hang game for drying.
- Make a perimeter trip line for warning.
- Use as a tourniquet.
You get the idea — the only limitation is your imagination! Regardless how cool or “in” these bracelets are, just think how handy a bracelet made from 550 cord would be if you are in any of the situations above?
Again, if you are serious about survival use, you want your bracelet to be one color so you have the longest continuous length of cord. Two color bracelets are made of the same amount of cord — just two separate pieces — one for each color. So in essence you get two lengths of cord instead of one continuous cord.
Being you get approximately one foot of cord for every inch of length, you can see why so many survivalists wear them in addition to the other necessaries they put in their backpack!
Hope you find this info helpful! Want more? Download my Paracord Tips eBook, which is basically a “paracord 101” for those new to discovering the utility potential of 550 cord, here!
At *your* service,
