How to Use an Emergency Blanket | eFirstAidSupplies Blog

EMS must provide quick and effective care, which often means that once the scene has been cleared, they must keep the victim warm while administering aid and preparing for transport. The disposable first responder blanket is one of the best items for this. With a disposable emergency blanket, this is easier than ever. The first responder blankets come in an individual package and are disposable, so they are always clean and easy to replace. This lets the provider focus all their attention on providing medical care quickly and efficiently.

First responder emergency blankets are one of the essential items that an EMT always has with them. It seems straightforward that they are used to keeping a patient warm when it is cold outside or when they might be going into shock, and this is true. In cold environments, you will always see patients wrapped in emergency blankets for transport. However, there is another use for first responder emergency blankets that is even more important. The blanket also helps protect victims and first responders from dangerous debris on the scene.

A first responder emergency blanket can protect the victim from sharp metal, glass, or other debris in the way of an extraction from a vehicle. It can also protect the provider from sharp objects blocking their path to a vehicle. Keeping the number of injuries and dangers to a minimum helps maximize survival and safety.

What Is a First Responder Blanket?

An emergency blanket’s role can change slightly depending on the situation and its material. In general, the blanket covers a victim to provide warmth and or a sense of security. The three most common materials are:

Mylar – A lightweight and extremely effective heat reflector useful for any extreme weather condition.
Tissue – These are generally used to provide privacy for either first responders who need to examine victims, or for the victims if there is a crowd around the incident area.
Fleece – These blankets are effective at providing warmth as well as comfort to victims of an incident.

All of these blankets are lightweight and compact, making them very convenient to have alongside your normal first aid kit, and are especially useful to have in your car.

What Is Mylar and How Does It Work?

Mylar is a polyester-based plastic, which is extremely effective at trapping moisture and oxygen, which will help retain or reflect heat. Mylar is the brand name for Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate. It even insulated the space suits used for the moon landing mission, earning the name, “space blanket”. Unlike tin/aluminum foil, Mylar has two visually distinctive sides that actually have different properties (Biaxially-oriented). According to NASA one side of Mylar can reflect up to 90% of your body heat while the other side reflects around 65%.

This makes Mylar blankets, or space blankets, a common choice for mountaineers, astronauts, outdoor enthusiasts, any other person who is likely to find themselves in extreme weather conditions, or even marathon runners who will quickly lose all their heat after finishing the race. Mylar’s heat reflecting properties make it useful in extreme heat as well, turning the more reflective side towards the sun can provide shade and a slightly cooler temperature. Overall, these blankets that weigh less than a quarter of a pound are extremely useful in most emergency situations.

What Are Some Useful First Responder Blanket Features?

Lightweight and can be easily compacted so they won’t force you to leave any of your gear behind.
Windproof
Waterproof
Durable

What Can I Use an Emergency Blanket for?

In survival situations, or even just on a regular camping trip, an emergency blanket can be the ultimate multipurpose tool.

You can cut it into smaller strips, pieces, swatches, etc. for many different options, such as: lining clothes for extra insulation or waterproofing, a makeshift bandage or rope to secure a splint, tent or other items, or you could even use the shiny material to lure and catch fish.

Mylar’s reflective property is easily its most valuable. Here are some other ways to utilize the space material:

Signaling – The shiny material can easily be used to grab someone’s attention
Cooking – There are a few different ways to cook with Mylar. You can use it as the reflective base for a solar oven or a solar cookpot, you can wrap some food in the Mylar and put it near a fire to act like tinfoil.
Water gathering – Mylar is completely waterproof and can be used to gather rainwater or snow and either contain the water or used as a funnel for a larger container. You can then use Mylar to help reflect heat and boil the water, making it safe to drink.
Directing heat and protecting a fire – As previously mentioned Mylar is windproof, so you could create a semi-circular barrier around your fire to protect it from the wind while also reflecting the fire’s heat, keeping you extra warm.
Creating a makeshift shelter – Whether you need to escape the rain or direct sun, Mylar is a useful material for a lean-to shelter.

Can You Sleep with an Emergency Blanket?

A Mylar blanket is not a substantial replacement for a tent or sleeping bag. If you are going on a backpacking or camping trip, bring a good quality tent and sleeping bag, don’t solely rely on your Mylar blanket. While a Mylar blanket can keep you very warm, it will not trap heat as efficiently as a sleeping bag. If it is your only option, a Mylar blanket will keep you safe until help arrives. As well, Mylar blankets are not padded and will not offer much comfort for sleeping.

Similarly, while they are wind and waterproof, a tent will always be more efficient than a blanket. Tent is able to handle changes in wind direction while also keeping you off the wet ground. If you are in a situation where you will be rescued within a reasonable amount of time, using your Mylar blanket is a good option because you can save time setting up and get warm quickly while also being able to keep watch for the rescue team.

Emergency blankets are incredibly useful and versatile tools, especially when made out of Mylar. They are the perfect addition to any med kit or survival gear. Being prepared is always a great idea and can drastically improve your chances of survival in an emergency situation.