The Best Emergency Blankets for Survival and Urgent Situations

Best Emergency Blankets: A Buying Guide

We’ve seen some of the top-rated emergency blankets money can buy, but you may still have questions about what emergency blankets do, when and where to use them, and how you can find the right blankets to meet your needs. Read on for interesting and important information you need to know about emergency blankets.

What Is an Emergency Blanket?

An emergency blanket, which may also be known as a mylar blanket, first aid blanket, safety blanket, or space blanket, is a special kind of slim, lightweight blanket made of reflective plastic material. It’s designed to reflect heat and trap it on the inside, keeping the wearer as warm as possible, even in the coldest conditions.

How Do Emergency Blankets Work?

You might be wondering about the science behind these blankets. Well, the history of their design goes all the way back to the 1960s, and they were originally made by NASA for the US space program.

NASA needed a way to insulate spacecraft and keep heat inside so that astronauts could survive in the harsh conditions of space. It was later noted that the same materials and concepts could be useful for creating simple blankets to help people who are very cold and in need of warmth and protection.

The way in which these blankets work is all down to the material used to make them: mylar. Mylar is a very insulating, reflective form of plastic that can reflect around 90% of a person’s body heat. So, by wrapping a mylar emergency blanket around yourself, your own body heat is inside with you, rather than being lost to the air and surroundings.

This makes the space inside the blanket much warmer, and since the blankets are very thin and lightweight, they can virtually stick to the wearer, without cracks or gaps for heat to escape through.

Another interesting benefit of emergency blankets is that they’re very reflective, so they can be helpful for lost hikers or explorers trying to attract attention and rescue.

Where and When To Use Emergency Blankets

There are many situations in which emergency blankets can be useful. They’re best used as a precautionary measure, ready to cover you up if things go wrong, so they’re good to bring along on trips like camping trips, hikes, fishing trips, swimming sessions, climbing sessions, ice skating, bike riding, and more.

Of course, the main purpose of emergency blankets is to keep people warm, so they’re best used in cold areas and at colder times of the year. If you’re planning some ice fishing, for example, or a camping trip in the fall, having some emergency blankets on standby can be very helpful in case anything goes wrong.

What To Look for in Emergency Blankets

There are lots of emergency blankets for sale, but how do you choose between them? Well, here are some of the most important factors to focus on that will help you narrow down your search and find the top blankets.

Size

In order to work properly, emergency blankets need to be big enough to completely cover the wearer. If they are too small, parts of the body will lose a lot of heat. Check the sizes of any blankets before you buy them and make sure they’re large enough to cover you up.

Material

Mylar is the best material for emergency blankets. This is a special reflective plastic that is one of the best materials known to man in terms of reflecting heat. It’s the best material to use in emergency blankets, but some unscrupulous brands can try and save money by using other materials. Always opt for mylar blankets if you want the best results and total protection.

Weight

Don’t forget to take a look at the weight of any emergency blankets you plan to buy and use, too. Usually, you’ll want to bring these blankets along on trips like camping trips and hikes, so it can be important to find items that are lightweight and easy to transport. On the other hand, heavier blankets may be able to provide even more protection, so it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons and find the right compromise in weight, size, and thickness.