As you may know, not too long ago we began supporting the First Responders who 
volunteer with the disaster response veterans service organization, Team Rubicon. One of the important items we include in our First Responder Kits are Paracord “Survival” Bracelets. Not only are the bracelets really cool-looking, they can actually be used to save a life in an emergency situation.
The bracelets have become so popular we now hope to include one in each of our care packages going overseas to deployed troops. To meet the increased demand, we learned how to make our own bracelets and we’ve asked volunteers to start making them, too.
Want to help? Here are in
structions you can print out and refer to as needed:
How to Make a Weaving Apparatus – Pictured, left — a simple, yet very handy tool!
How to Make a Paracord Bracelet (We are grateful for the tutorial help from the Celestial Panache blog.)
Here’s a helpful video that demonstrates, step-by-step, how to make a bracelet:
And when you’re all done…
…the bracelets may be shipped to:
Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Attn: First Responder Program
Please download, fill out and include a Donation Form in every package you send us. Find important donation and shipping tips here: Donation & Shipping Info
Note: If you want confirmation of delivery on your shipments of item donations prior to receipt of our acknowledgment letter (allow up to 12 weeks), please use the tracking system provided by your shipper.
Need Materials or More Information?
Bracelet Kits (with the cord cut and buckled for you) are available for sale here: http://bit.ly/XwtUIq – all proceeds benefit Operation Gratitude.
Please email questions to our Official Paracord Bracelet Expert, Kelly: OpGratParacord@gmail.com
Please note: You can also Google Paracord and/or Buckle supplies to purchase elsewhere; however you will have to cut and buckle the cord yourself. Kelly will not give advice/input regarding where to purchase paracord or buckles, and she is not able to provide Bracelet Kits for free, even if the finished bracelets are ultimately donated back to Operation Gratitude.
Need Community Service Hours? Students can earn one hour of community service for every five bracelets made and donated. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information: opgratvolunteer1@yahoo.com (Be sure to put the words “Operation Gratitude Volunteer” in the subject line.)
As always, THANK YOU for your support!
Operation Gratitude
This is probably a silly question, but how do the paracords help save a life?
Not a silly question at all! There are lots of first aid uses for a survival bracelet – here are just a few: Make a tourniquet to slow loss of blood; Tie straight sticks around a broken limb to make a splint; Make a stretcher by running the paracord between two long sticks/branches to carry or pull someone to safety.
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Has anyone tried making the weaving apparatus out of odd pieces of cardboard? How long does it need to be?I am getting ready to do this with a goup and do not want to buy flat rate shipping boxes for each child, especially with all of the cardboard we have! Thanks for any advice!
Very stiff cardboard should work fine…but if you would rather use the USPS boxes, they are given out for free at the post office.
Hi good question, we need the bracelets to be between 8 1/2 and 9 inches. that’s buckle to buckle any other questions Please go to opgratparacord@gmail. com Thanks
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When is the last date to ship these bracelets in 2012? I am trying to organize some teen girl scouts to make some but it’s a busy time of year and I want to make sure I don’t wait too long! Thank you!
Thank you for your support!! To be able to send the bracelets before the end of the year, we would need to receive them no later than December 10. (Our last care package assembly day for the year is December 15.)
Can I send a paracord bracelet with a letter?
Yes — thank you!
Just a quick question…..Can they be any color? I also found a way to put 2 cords together so they would make a different kind of color pattern, would that be okay? I like being creative
The kids and I are going to be making this a fun homeschool project! 
Neutral colors are best for us — but we will gratefully accept ALL colors! Thank you for your support!
I can make a square knot bracelet, and would love to help. I just need to know where to get the supplies for the bracelets. I usually make them out of hemp for my Etsy shop…
I would be happy to make some for our deployed troops.
Thanks so much! Paracord is available in a variety of stores and online — send an email to opgrat@gmail.com and we can give you some leads.
Our 5th grade will be making bracelets for our heroes! Thank you!
Thank YOU and all the students for the support!
O.G.,
Thanks for ‘liking’ my posts at Blasted Fools! I respect and appreciate the work your organization is doing for the troops and was pleased to learn about it. I will place your website in my blogroll, so that my readers can check out OG for themselves. Keep up the great work!
Regards,
N7
Reblogged this on Momisms – Moments in Motherhood and commented:
This can be a really fun craft for your older kids, and a great way to build awareness of giving as well as the wonderful service that our military members provide all of us!
Can you help Operation: Letters from Home send Care Packages please?
the place to get paracords is at the Army & Navy Store along with the clips.
Reblogged this on Wandering Voiceless and commented:
I think this is a fabulous idea and plan to start making bracelets ASAP!
Reblogged this on Exploration Art.
looks so easy, thanks for sharing…
This is an excellent “How Too” Blog Post!!!! “Border Line 11″ as they say in the movie “Gone Fishin”….
Please check out this link. Not only does PeaceCord support Afghan Women it supports the Humanitarian effort of the U.S. Troops. https://www.peacecord.org/