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Whether you take your outdoor excursions to the extreme, or your friends and family know you as the person with the best first aid kit, it’s a good idea to have an emergency blanket on hand. Commonly referred to as space blankets, the best emergency blankets help retain up to 90% of your body heat, even in extreme weather conditions.
When it comes to staying prepared, a good emergency blanket should always be in your survival kit or bug-out bag.
How Do Emergency Blankets Work?
We are constantly losing our body heat. Under normal circumstances, this isn’t usually a problem. However, when you are out exposed to the natural elements, this can be dangerous, especially if the weather conditions are wet or frigid. Emergency blankets can trap your body heat thanks to their design. They are made out of impermeable, metalized plastic known as Mylar, which helps retain your lost body heat. Being diligent with your emergency blanket use can often be the difference between suffering from hypothermia or not.
How to Use an Emergency Blanket
To use your emergency blanket, simply wrap it around your body. The best emergency blankets should be able to give you full-body coverage. Depending on your height and size, the exact measurements you need will vary, but the best emergency blankets should at least have a length of 60 inches. Since emergency blankets are more of a tarp than a blanket in the conventional sense, they can also be used to create DIY shelters. Some even come with the accessories to help, but oftentimes you can build a structure out of your emergency blanket and your existing gear.
What Are the Best Emergency Blankets?
When shopping for the best emergency blanket, its dimensions will be a key factor in your selection. Additionally, so will its durability. Some emergency blankets come in value packs and are made for one-time use. Others are heavy-duty and can be used time and time again, even if they’ve been exposed to extreme environments. For those who want to be prepared for emergencies and make sure the first aid kit is ready, then the standard-grade emergency blankets are an excellent solution. However, if you are going on an intense, extended outdoor journey, heavy-duty emergency blankets may be preferable.
