How to use a survival blanket?

Tips for using a survival blanket

You purchased a survival blanket for your first aid kit but you don't know how to use it? Follow this guide to find out when you need it and how to use it.

Origins

A survival blanket or emergency blanket is a particularly lightweight and compact blanket made of thin sheets of aluminum and mylar whose main function today is to reflect the heat produced by the body and to protect a victim exposed to extreme temperatures against hypothermia.

The first covers of this type were developed in the 1960s by NASA, whose goal was to thermally insulate satellites, shuttles, and space suits from the sun's rays. In the 1970s, a NASA employee had the idea of using these thermal covers at the end of the New York marathon (in the fall) to prevent hypothermia in runners. From that moment on, their use spread to the U.S. military, hospitals, and ambulances.

Technical properties

These blankets sometimes have two silver sides, but most of the time, they have one silver side and one gold side. By using the gold side on the outside, the victim is visible in the snow and in other hard-to-see places. Otherwise, the two colors have no other function.

The different uses of the survival blanket

In case of hypothermia, the victim is wrapped in the survival blanket, creating a thin layer of air between the film and the victim. Under the effect of body heat, this layer of air warms up and becomes an insulating layer that keeps the victim warm.

In first aid, survival blankets are used to prevent or counter hypothermia. A triple action facilitates this:

• Its waterproof properties reduce heat loss by convection.
• The heat loss caused by the evaporation of sweat is reduced.
• The reflective surface inhibits losses caused by thermal radiation.

The emergency blanket can also be used to protect against the sun. Do not wrap yourself up but create a sort of screen between you and the sun. Direct the gold side towards the victim and let the silver side reflect the sun away from you or the victim. Never wrap a heatstroke victim in an emergency blanket.

The emergency blanket can also be used during the construction of a shelter due to its waterproof properties against moisture or wind. It can be used to build a roof or as a ground mat in a bivouac.

Survival blankets can be included in first aid kits and with camping gear. Lost campers and hikers have an additional advantage: the golden surface reflects the sun, allowing it to be used as an improvised distress signal for rescuers and as a signaling method over long distances to others.

What is hypothermia?

When it is cold, the body ensures that no body heat is lost and begins to produce more heat.

When body heat loss is too significant compared to the heat produced by the body, body temperature begins to drop. Due to the cold, the body is unable to maintain body temperature at an ideal level. When body temperature drops below 35°C, many processes and functions of the body begin to become problematic. As the temperature continues to drop, the risk of death increases.

Hyperthermia exists in three different stages:

1. Mild hypothermia : 35*C - 32*C
2. Moderate hypothermia : 32*C - 28*C
3. Severe hypothermia: less than 28*C

Some factors can influence the onset of hypothermia, such as inadequate clothing, lack of protection, wind, medications, wet clothing...

A person who has to work in freezing temperatures without appropriate clothing may exhibit symptoms of hypothermia. People who are drowning are at high risk of hypothermia. After all, cold water cools the body up to twenty times faster than air at the same temperature. Alcohol and drugs dilate blood vessels and cause the body to lose a significant amount of body heat. 

Babies, elderly people, and those with fragile health are at the greatest risk of hypothermia. Elderly individuals do not have enough body fat to provide natural insulation. Children and babies have a larger skin surface area relative to their body mass. Therefore, they have more difficulty maintaining their body temperature due to the larger surface area through which they can lose heat.

How to prevent hypothermia

1. Always wear clothing suitable for the type of weather you are facing. Wear your clothes in multiple layers; for each additional layer you wear, you create an extra layer of air that is insulated. Wear a hat, a scarf, and gloves.
2. Be prepared and check the weather reports. Mountain areas can change weather quickly. In particular at night, temperatures can drop significantly. Always have an emergency blanket in your bag.
3. Take spare clothes when you go hiking and make sure they stay dry until you need them. The same goes for water activities, even when the temperatures are fine.
4. Take with you what to prepare hot drinks (chocolate, coffee, soup) to easily recharge your energy and warm up.
5. Never go hiking alone in the mountains or jungle. Let people know where you are going and stick to your route.
6. Limit the consumption of alcohol or medications that may influence your awareness. There is a strong chance that you will not feel the cold.
7. Protect yourself from the wind. The more wind there is, the faster you will get cold. Wear a windproof and waterproof jacket.
8. Protect yourself against humidity.
1. When you are wet, change and put on warm, dry clothes as quickly as possible.
2. Make sure your shoes and gloves are waterproof.
3. "Keep a poncho in your bag that is always within reach."
4. Make sure your tent is waterproof or that you have a tarp if you are traveling in a hammock.
9. Don't ignore the chills, they are signals from your body indicating that your body temperature is dropping.
10. Prepare your car with extra change of clothes, a survival blanket, and a first aid kit.

Technique for using a survival blanket.

The use of a survival blanket to warm a person is a first aid measure that can be useful in emergency situations where a person is exposed to extreme cold or hypothermia. Here are the techniques and steps to follow to use a survival blanket to warm a person:

1. Assess the situation: Ensure that the environment is safe for you and the victim. If necessary, move the person to a location protected from the cold or external elements.
2. Call for help: If the situation is serious or if the person is seriously injured, call emergency services immediately or ask someone else for help.
3. Prepare the emergency blanket: Carefully unwrap the emergency blanket from its packaging. It is usually lightweight, reflective, and made of an insulating material that helps retain body heat.
4. Ground insulation: If possible, place a layer of clothing, backpacks, or other insulating materials between the victim and the cold ground. This will help minimize heat loss through conduction.
5. Cover the victim: Wrap the person in the survival blanket so that their entire body is well covered. Make sure that the reflective side is in direct contact with the victim's skin.
6. Seal the blanket: If possible, fold and tie the ends of the blanket to form a "bag" around the person's body. This will help to trap body heat and prevent the cold from getting in.
7. Cover the head: Make sure that the victim's head is also covered with the survival blanket, leaving only the face exposed. Heat loss from the head can be significant, so covering it is essential.
8. Monitor the victim: Stay close to the person and monitor their vital signs (breathing, pulse, consciousness, etc.) while waiting for help. If the situation does not improve or worsens, it is crucial to obtain professional medical assistance as soon as possible.

"Do not just use an emergency blanket, but also try to dress the person in warm, dry clothes and give them a hot drink without sugar."

It is important to note that the use of a survival blanket is a temporary measure to maintain body heat and does not replace professional medical care. Be sure to seek medical assistance as soon as possible in emergency situations.

Preferably use the emergency blanket in combination with a wool or fleece blanket. An emergency blanket alone is not always sufficient to keep the victim warm and protect them from the cold. First, wrap the victim in a fleece blanket, for example, and then wrap them again in the emergency blanket.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of a survival blanket can be an effective and vital measure to warm a person exposed to extreme cold or hypothermia in emergency situations. The survival blanket, thanks to its reflective and insulating properties, helps retain body heat and prevent heat loss. However, it is important to remember that the survival blanket does not replace professional medical care and should only be considered a temporary measure while waiting for appropriate medical assistance. In emergency situations, it is essential to always call for help and ensure the safety and well-being of the person in distress.