Originally Posted by
Army Ranger Rick
Good morning gents! Being that you're all in bed and I just work up [here in Italy] and somebody sent me an email and a link to this posting telling me I might want to take a look at it. And so here I am this morning.
Hmmm, now I know why they contacted me, it looks like they want me to stir up this discussion a bit. Ok, here goes, this is what I state on my website about these [so call] paracord survival bracelets....
(Quote)
What a bunch of BS! No way should they be called "Paracord Survival Bracelets.
Why?
Well for starters there’s not enough parachute cord and inner nylon string inside of them to use in a survival situation to make a shelter, snare traps, a firebow or anything else. That’s why. And when I mentioned this once to some eBay paracord survival bracelet seller he told me "So, if one of my paracord survival bracelets doesn’t contain enough paracord for you, buy and wear two of them.”
Gee! What a great idea! Now why didn't I think of that? Hey, how about this.. why not wear one on each of yours wrists, ankles, ears, through your nose, around your penis and a backup one shoved up your @ss too.”
Good idea? As Kevin the little kid in the movie HOME ALONE once said...."I don't think so!"
Anyone who thinks you can get away with using just one of these to make some snare traps. You either don't know a damn thing about snares or you have never purchased one of these [so call] paracord survival bracelets to see how much paracord comes with it. (Note: Unless you tie all those nylon inner strands together.)
Besides not containing enough paracord, everytime you wear it around your wrist your skin is going to perspire and produce a “salty sweat” which will attract dirt like a "magnet." And once you get a combination of “dirt, salt and sweat” on some parachute cord it won’t be long before it starts to smell and cause a "skin rash." That is… if you don’t wash your wrist and your paracord “survival” bracelet from time-to-time.
And everytime you do wash it the “nylon fibers” are going to become more and more fragile and weak. That’s why in the military there are strict rules, regulations and guidelines in how to wash certain US military / government property, like “nylon” parachutes, harnesses and straps. You just don’t take them to some laundromat, throw them in a washing machine and then dump a bunch of soap detergent inside of it. It has to be cleaned a special way so the nylon fibers DON’T become weak, fragile and damaged because some Paratrooper, Ranger or Sfer’s life could be in jeopardy and at risk.
Make sense, don’t you think? Sure does!
Oh, and guess what else? Should you need to use any of that paracord you’ve been wearing around your wrist to make some snare traps, the chances are you are not going to catch a damn thing with it. Why? Because it will be drenched and soaked with so much human scent it will scare animals away, that's why. Animals are smart, if there’s one scent that means DANGER to all animals it’s human scent. Hell, if you don't believe me just ask any experienced trapper and he’ll tell you the same thing. Duh?
Now listen carefully, especially you eBay paracord “survival” bracelet makers & sellers. Provided the paracord does not come in "direct contact with the skin" you can pack it, wear it and carry it wherever you like on your body. But should you someday need to use it to make some snare traps… at least try to cover up some of your human scent by smearing some dirt on your hands first before handling it. And then wipe the paracord down with some green vegetation and some dirt too, to try to cover up whatever human scent it picked up from your clothes.
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Now I hope some of you won't read in between the lines, I am NOT saying all paracord. I am just talking about these [so call] "paracord survival bracelets."
I am all for paracord, carrying and packing it with you if you got room for it. But if you are packing a small, compact, pocket survival kit and that's all you want to carry, then obviously you won't be able to pack any or very little. Then instead you might want to pack & carry something else more compact and easier to pack like fishing line, dental floss, etc. You get the idea.
Yea, I am against these paracord survival bracelets because I have tried them, and so that's why I wrote that article above. But I'm all for paracord survival belts, slings and lanyards for two reasons: (a) you get a lot more paracord and (b) it doesn't come in direct contact with the skin when it's worn or carried.
Note: Yes, there will be some human scent on it, obviousily. But it won't be soaked with "human sweat" and so that's why I stated you should TRY to mask or cover it up with some dirt and green vegetation.
Well there you go, that's my opinion and experience with these [so call] paracord survival bracelets. Take it or leave it or you can go ahead and "fire away" in disagreeing with me if you want. But you ain't gonna convince or change my mind, maybe someone elses, but not mine.
Ciao for now....
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