Moncton man designs ‘survival bracelets’ to support Big Brothers Big Sisters

A Moncton man is putting his outdoorsman skills to use to support Big Brothers Big Sisters by selling survival bracelets he crafted himself.

After finding himself unprepared during an excursion in the woods, Bob Vautour started designing a bracelet that would hold enough supplies to help someone should they find themselves unprepared in the woods.

“I fell out of a tree one time and cut myself and wasn’t able to repair the wound,” he said.

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Through testing out different designs, he eventually developed one that would hold tinder and matches to start a fire, an emergency whistle and knife, some first aid supplies, and even hooks and lines to catch a fish. All of the items are tucked inside a waterproof balloon around which the bracelet is woven.

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In total, Vautour said it took 36 prototypes before he finally landed on design 37.

“What is in there is basically anything to help you with food, water and fire,” Vautour said.

Now, two months into making the bracelets, he’s already been getting requests from people and the profits are being put to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program — where he volunteers — to ensure its survival.

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Having grown up in foster care, he said he understands what it feels like to be a kid struggling to get proper love and attention. To help one such child, he and his wife became family to a young man named Tyler just over a year ago.

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And on top of being parents, Vautour said he even taught Tyler how to catch his very first fish.

“It’s fulfilling,” he said.

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“Seeing children have no guidance and no role models, I told myself if I ever get a chance to put someone in a position where they have some good resources, I am going to do that.”

Joline LeBlanc with Big Brothers Big Sisters said the help is appreciated.

“On top of already giving their time as volunteers, they are looking at other ways to support,” she said.

Last July, the organization was sitting in the red and needed to raise $90,000 in a few months or they would face closure. On Thursday, they told Global News that they have been able to restructure their program, raise more money and volunteers to get back into the black.

But Vautour is still doing what he can to provide funding to a place he cares for.

He said he’s also been getting custom orders from people who want certain items tucked inside the bracelets.

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“You tell me what you want and I will try to make it work and I can build it.”

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The bracelets can be purchased on Vautour’s website, where survival lanyards, bow wrist slings and full survival kits can also be purchased. He also sells all of the items, under the brand “Frug Survival Gear,” at the Moncton Market every second Saturday of the month, according to the website.