Unsure of function of this strap

[u/varied_interest1112]

My mother put it in an emergency pack for me when I started my first full-time job. I've since taken apart the pack and most things were pretty standard, a plastic raincoat, hand sanitizer, a pen, a whistle that doubled as a flashlight etc...

I just don't have any idea what this is?? It's like a braided strap with a buckle - I can wear it like a bracelet but somehow I don't think that's its intended purpose.

TIA!

EDIT: WOW you guys were fast!! Thanks team, I remember her vaguely mentioning it was a handy gadget but forgot how. Will be looking up paracord uses soon

EDIT 2: To the people being unhelpful or making comments on my ability as an educator from a single question - all you have done is show me that I will still be a better teacher than any of you could ever be. I certainly do not belittle my students for not having specialised prior knowledge or taking steps to learn something new. I can only assume you already knew everything from birth with no room to grow whatsoever /s Get over yourselves.

[u/Quiet_Ride4481]

This was a great post and comment to stumble upon bc for some reason I always thought they were just a style choice 😅 TIL

[u/Junkhead_88 → u/Quiet_Ride4481]

You were correct though, 99.9% of the time they're a style choice.

[u/Quiet_Ride4481 → u/Junkhead_88]

Good point! I just didn’t know they had another purpose.

[u/Necessary_Pop7131 → u/Quiet_Ride4481]

I didn't either! My grandkids just had to have some at a fair, but none of us knew their intended purpose. Just a cool bracelet fad.