Paracord "Survival" Bracelets FAQs & Tips

A  guest post from Operation Gratitude’s Special Projects Coordinator and Paracord Team Leader, Kelly South (pictured second from left, front row, with her hard-working team of volunteer instructors):

I receive hundreds of emails every month asking countless questions, and I wanted to not only answer the most common questions, but also some others you may not have thought of.

One of the main questions we get is if we still need bracelets, and the answer is a resounding YES!

We want to put a bracelet in each and every care package that goes out the door, and that is quite a task. We first and foremost focus on our deployed troops, and that means we need an average of 50,000 – 60,000 bracelets each year. Since we can’t do this alone, we need you to keep working and sending your bracelets in. (See How to Make a Paracord “Survival” Bracelet if you need a tutorial!)

The other questions we get are directed to bracelet-making specifics, and I will hopefully cover them all right now.

So here we go!

Question: Where can I buy the cord and buckles? 
Answer: We offer precut and buckled cord through our Ebay page at: Operation Gratitude Ebay You can also find cord and buckles on the internet.

Question: If I buy my own cord, what type of paracord should I use?
Answer: We ask that you use 550 paracord. This is cord that can hold 550 pounds, and has 7 strands inside that can each hold 50 pounds. If it doesn’t say “550 paracord” chances are it is not. Please do not send rope, as we will not send bracelets made of rope to our troops.

Question: What size buckle should I use?
Answer: We recommend that you use a ⅜” curved side release buckle in black. Yes, you can use larger ones, but we would prefer that the buckle is black no matter the size.

Question: What size should a bracelet be when finished?
Answer: 8 to 9 inches long, and that includes the buckle.

Question: How much cord should I use?
Answer: The rule is one foot of cord for every inch of bracelet. So for 8-inch bracelets, you should use 8-feet of cord. When you cut your cord, please heat the ends until they begin to melt, and then squeeze flat with a pair of pliers. This will make it much easier to put the cord in the buckle, and will keep the inside strands from spilling out while you make the bracelet.

Question: What colors are acceptable?
Answer: We ask that you use muted colors, or colors that will blend with our troops’ uniforms. Please do NOT use neon colors such as pink, yellow, orange, or green. Our troops go out of their way to blend into their environment, and a sniper can see a neon color from 500 yards away. We also ask that you use gender neutral colors since the bracelets will be going to both men and women.

We do not accept reflective cord. It reflects light just as the name implies and this is truly a safety issue for our troops in the field. White is just a bad color, as it gets dirty the first time they go on patrol.

Finally, please do not send two-tone bracelets. While they look great, they are 2-4’ lengths and we promise them a minimum of eight solid feet of cord. Also, the melted together ends can break in an emergency.

Question: Should I finish my bracelet by burning the ends to the bracelets?
Answer: No. We ask that you send them in unfinished. We have found that while there are hundreds of ideas for doing the finish, most use too much heat and can actually damage the cord. Also, our troops would need pliers, scissors, a razor blade and a spare 10 minutes to get them open. Not a great idea in an emergency.

We use a very special technique that will keep the bracelet closed until needed, and yet allows for easy deployment in an emergency. This has taken us months of trial and error, and cannot be taught in an email.

Question: Should I seal the ends with something like tape so my bracelet doesn’t unravel during shipment?
Answer: No. Please do not use any type of tape, do not cover it in silicone, or in any way add anything sticky to keep the bracelet from coming apart. Your bracelet will not unravel during shipment, and the adhesives will cause me to cut off the damaged section.

Question: How much cord should I leave you for finishing?
Answer: If you can make another stitch, then make one. If not, you’re done and I’ll take it from there.

Question: Should I send a note with my bracelet?
Answer: YES! We ask that the note be small enough to fit on a business card, because our bracelets are sent in a 3”x5” bag with a card from Operation Gratitude. Please do not attach the note to each bracelet. Simply put all of your notes in a plastic bag in the box. We will put them in the bag with the bracelets, and we usually end up removing whatever you used to tie the note to the bracelet.

Feel free to send your email address as well, but there are a few things you need to consider:

Send your first name only, and the state where you live. If the note is from anyone under 18, please use an adult’s email, and screen the note received from the service member prior to having the minor read it. Responses should always be done under adult supervision.

Question: Should I buckle the bracelet before I mail it?
Answer: No. Besides the fact that I have to unbuckle each one for finishing (quite time consuming), they take up 3 times the space in a box when you ship them.

Question: What’s the best way to ship my bracelets?
Answer: I have found that keeping the bracelet flat allows you to put a whole lot more in each box, and that lets you use a smaller box or envelope.

Depending on how many bracelets you’re sending, you might want to use a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box. A small box can hold 15-20, a medium can hold 200, and a large can hold 300 or more. This way you’re not paying for the weight, just the box.

Question: Do I have to mail my bracelets in if I live close by?
Answer: No. Please check our schedule. Any item for donation can be dropped off at the armory between 9am-2pm Monday-Friday, unless it’s a national holiday, in which case the armory would be closed (just like any government building). 

You can also bring them with you on one of our weekend volunteer days. Please be sure to check our calendar for weekend dates, as we are not open on any other weekend days.

Question: Where should I ship my bracelets?
Answer:
Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Attn: Angel Cuevas

Please take a moment to read our full Shipping and Donation instructions, found here.

Question: Should I send a donor form even if I’m only sending a few bracelets?
Answer: YES! We want to know who is sending each and every item to us, since it allows us to send you a letter of thanks. Please be sure to fill out your email address on the form, so that we can send you further updates.

Download a DONOR FORM

Question: Can I receive community service for making and donating bracelets?
Answer: YES! We offer an hour of community service for each 5 bracelets we receive. Please enclose the form you need signed, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your bracelets. We will sign and return the form to you as soon as we can. Please understand that our turnaround time can be 2-4 weeks.

Finally, I get questioned every day about the bracelets, and why they are so important. There are lots of reasons, so I sat down one afternoon and put my thoughts to paper.

This what I feel a bracelet truly means:

A Simple Piece of Rope

Many people don’t understand how important a paracord bracelet is, and it’s not just about
how they are used in an emergency.

Most commanders allow our troops to wear our bracelets with their uniforms, and that’s a rare exception to the uniform code. Troops tell us that every time they look at their bracelets they have a feeling of home. They smile a bit longer, breathe a bit easier, and they know in that moment, that they are not forgotten.

It’s hard to imagine that a simple piece of rope can be that important, but it truly can. It isn’t just a simple piece of rope. It’s a piece of the person who made it, the group that decided to send them in, and a reminder that we are here for them. It seems so simple, and yet, it means so much.

As you make your bracelets, picture a Marine, a Soldier, a Sailor, or an Airman standing in front of you. Think of the smile you just created, and the pride with which it will be worn.

Believe that the time you spend making each bracelet is far beyond what you had intended, and for that, know that you have their thanks as well as mine. 

If by chance I haven’t answered your question, or you’re still not sure about anything bracelet-related, please contact me at: opgratparacord@gmail.com

THANK YOU for your support!