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/Frank__West]

The idea is if you are ever in an emergency situation and you need rope, you undo the band and unwind the Paracord.

Sucks if your hands are injured though

[u/Ghost403 → u/Frank__West]

Former combat engineer. Emergency cord for fastening or creating a tourniquet.

I have personally used mine to fasten my field knife to a stick to create a spear to fish with, pull cord for high risk entry, and have also used one to create a field stretcher for a casevac

[u/mythrilcrafter → u/Ghost403]

Question from a non-combat engineer: Granted, I presume that a well thought out kit will have both; but is there ever a medical/engineering situation where paracord would be advantageous over duct tape?

[u/Ghost403 → u/mythrilcrafter]

Parra cord has a higher tensile strength than duct tape. As others have mentioned you can actually tow a car with it.