Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a breakaway connector for use in a breakaway lanyard comprising a pair of releasably engageable breakaway members wherein the breakaway members are manually removably attached to the ends of a strap that forms the lanyard. The breakaway members each preferably comprise a base body and a hinged closure element hingedly attached to the base body so as to accept the end of the strap when in an open position and to grip the end of the strap when in a closed position, preferably by means of projections extending from the hinged closure element and the base body compressing and engaging the strap. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a breakaway lanyard comprising a strap and a breakaway connector comprising a pair of releasably engageable breakaway members wherein the breakaway members are manually removably attached to the ends of the strap.