Survival Bracelet or Fashion Bracelet? Know what you are buying.

As I peruse the internet, I see a LOT of purely decorative paracord weaves out there. Ones that would be extremely difficult to take apart to use in an emergency, and ones that aren't structurally sound.  I don't think a lot of people understand that while these weaves look really cool, they shouldn't be used in an emergency situation. But how can you tell the difference between a structurally sound bracelet and one that is more reliable? How do you know if you are buying a decorative bracelet, or one that has the potential of saving your life, without directly asking the person that made them? 

I have a rule that I follow when I am researching or creating new weaves: NEVER EVER SPLICE! Or more technically, "join".  Joining is when you take one end of cord, and stuff it into the shell or casing of another cord, and burn them together and or stitch or glue them. (See picture below)

Well, why not join? Because once a cord has been joined, say with another color to achieve a neat effect or because you ran out of cord, it becomes extremely weak at that junction. A weak spot like that could wind up killing someone who is relying on it for it's strength. Not that I'm saying it WILL, just that the potential is there.

So when you see an item that has multiple colors, examine it closely to see if you can spot a "join".

Keep in mind that if you see a two tone bracelet, it may not necessarily be joined. There ARE weaves out there that will allow a two tone effect without joining. 

I wish I could tell you an easy way to know for sure if a weave contains a join or a splice, but I can't. You will just have to look for it or simply ASK.

The other thing to be aware of when choosing a paracord bracelet is, how easy can this come apart if I need to tie a tourniquet or secure a load? You really don't want to be unknotting a series of complicated intricate knots while someone's (or your own) life depends on it. I'm a fan of "quick release" weaves. Because they come apart with a pull on one end of the cord (usually), which is much more efficient when you need some cord in a hurry.

The ever popular Cobra weave is NOT a quick release weave! Neither are any of the variations such as the King Cobra, or the Solomon Bar. The Slatt's weave, however, IS a quick release. It also allows a lot of cord to be packed into a tight space.

My point is, know what you are buying. Ask questions. Think about what you want it for: survival or fashion? Keep these questions in mind while shopping!

Be safe and be prepared out there friends!