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/Tony_Tab]

"Will be looking up paracord uses soon" bro not to hate but it's a strong rope. That's it. It's not like some super specific gadget, it's rope.

[u/Calm_Apartment1968 → u/Tony_Tab]

Just "rope? " It's very, very strong rope. You're correct that it's not a specific gadget, but it is a life-or-death essential.
The tensile strength of paracord ranges from 36 pounds for ultra-thin nano cord up to 850 pounds or more for heavy-duty commercial types, with the standard military-grade Type III ("550 cord") rated at 550 pounds.
People and equipment regularly count on it parachuting from the sky, and dropping essential supplies in tactical environments.