Paracord Survival Belt- Type 1

Weave Design Using Snap Style Buckle

Molle Style Snap Buckles

Materials Needed:

Paracord  50 ft
Buckle
Lighter
Knife or Scissors
(4) Finishing nails 3" long
(1) Nail 4" or similar to hold paracord loops on opposite end of jig
Leatherman or Pliers
Hammer
Fork
(1) 1x4x50" board used as Jig
Patience

Steps:

1. Set up the jig. Watch the video for a visual on how the jig is set up. Basically, two nails hold the buckle (laid flat) at one end and two nails hold the one nail for the paracord at the other end. When hammering in the nails, don't put them in too deep. The reason for this is because as you weave the cordage through the 6 lines of paracord, the belt will tighten up making it hard to weave the cordage in and out of each string. You will have to remove two nails to shorten the belt. This is not problem if you are using the molle style buckles, because you are going to make an add on for the other end of the buckle snap. This will allow you to shorten or lengthen the belt later. If you are using the two pronged metal buckle you will need to do this:

The belt length will be the diameter around your waist plus one inch. Then you will need to add an additional 4-4 1/2", which is normally how much the belt length will shrink after you have weaved the paracord to the end.

2.  Add the paracord to the buckle and nails making three passes from buckle to nail. This will give you a total of 6 lines. I normally start with 30 feet of paracord. This is easier to work with. You can slice onto the end of the paracord by heating both ends and melting them together.

3. Starting at the buckle receiver end (the female part of the molle type buckle), begin weaving the end of the paracord over the top of one line and under the second line in a basket weave fashion. Watch the video on how the additional length is attached. Use the fork to push each row of weave together to make it compact.

Once the belt is completed, you will be wearing approximately 25-50 feet of emergency cordage, depending on the size of your waist.  You can also use this same technique to make rifle slings, straps for backpacks, etc. 

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!

Charlie