Prepared In Every Way

Archive for May, 2010

These blankets weigh a few ounces and reflect and retain 90% of the user’s body heat.  When folded, it is the size of a deck of cards.  It’s insulating properties can be lifesaving, and it’s small size makes it perfect for emergency kits, or to carry with you when hiking or enjoying winter sports.  Always store a roll of duct tape with your mylar blankets.  It is best for adhering to mylar.   These blankets are inexpensive.  They look like aluminum foil.  You can often find them for $1 apiece.  Stock up.  They’re great for lots of different survival techniques.

Here are some things you can do with your Mylar, or “solar” blanket?

1.  They retain 80-90% of your body heat.  To use your blanket, tuck it under your feet, under your sides, and pull it up to your chin.  Most of your body heat is lost through your head, so the blanket can’t keep you warm if your head is uncovered.

2.  Using duct tape, tape 3 sides together and create a sleeping bag for a child.  For an adult, tape two blankets together.  This will keep out any cold drafts that may get under a blanket.

3.  Line your sleeping bag with it if it’s not warm enough.

4.  After strenuous exercise, wrap yourself in a mylar blanket to keep you warm, prevent chills, and help avoid muscle cramping.

5.  To insulate from the cold, inside or out (think power failure) cover the walls with the blanket, shiny side facing inward.  This will reflect the heat from a fire or body heat, back into the space. 

6.  Tape the blankets to the moldings surrounding the windows in your home.  This will create a pocket between the window pane and the walls of your room, and will reduce drafts.

7.  To insulate from the heat, place the blankets in windows.  This can be done during a heat wave or if you lose a/c in the summer.  IN a tent, lay the blanket over the top of the tent to reflect the sun.  In a car, place the blanket over the roof of the car and another one in the windows receiving the most direct sun.

8.  In first aid kits, they are perfect to use when caring for a shock victim.

9.  As a shelter.  Perfect to make a tent or lean-to to protect yourself from the sun during an emergency or even to change a tire. 

10. Moisture barrier.   Mylar is moisture proof.  This makes it a great protector.

11.  Lay the blanket on the snow before you sit down and your clothing will stay dry.

12.  Cut a slit in the center big enough for your head and use as a poncho.

13.  Cut the blanket into squares large enough to wrap around your foot.  Wrap around your foot, on top of your socks, and put your shoes back on.  This will help keep your feet warm and dry.  (Oh, if only the pioneers had had mylar!)

14.  Cut a triangular shape to wear as a scarf.  This will keep you dry and warm.

15.  Put a blanket on the ground under your sleeping bag to increase warmth and eliminate moisture.

16.  Signaling device.  It reflects 99% of light rays and isperfect to signal rescue helicopters or planes.  If you are stranded in the snow, place one over the roof of your car.  It will make it easy for rescuers to see your car.  Cut into strips and make an arrow in a clearing pointing to where you are.  Even hold it in your hands and wave.  The reflected light will be seen.  If you need to crawl onto your roof during flooding, take a blanket with you.  Wrap up.  It will keep you warm and also reflect the lights of rescuers.

17.  As a reflector.   When changing a tire or at an accident, place a blanket over the trunk of the car or on a tree or post next to he road.  This will make it easier for traffic to see you.  Especially at night.

18.  If you need to walk on the road after an accident or natural disaster, cut a strip from your blanket and tie to put over your shoulder like a sash.  You can also cut pieces to wrap around your arms or legs.  They will reflect and make it safer for you.

19.  Radiant heat.  Hang a blanket a few feet away from a fireplace or fire outside.  Place yourself between the fire and the blanket and you’ll be warmed by the heat.

20.  Collect rainwater.  They are waterproof.  Line a bucket or bowl to collect water.  Lay them out at night to collect dew.

21.  Fire starter.  Line a bowl or dig a hole and line it with the mylar blanket.  Put kindling or other flammable material in the center.  Place bowl in sun.  Angle the bowl so it receives the strongest rays possible, and then wait.  The heat will light the kindling.  Add more kindling until you have a flame large enough to transfer to a fire pit prepared with larger kindling and additional wood.

22.  Germinating seeds.  Create a seed germinating area as you normally would.  Cover the glow light and trays with a mylar blanket.  This will increase the light and heat the seeds as well as conserving the moisture in the soil.

Teach your family how to use the blankets so they can protect themselves in an emergency.  They may be used only a limited number of times, and sometimes they tear, but maybe you can use that less than perfect one to cut up for something else.

Taken from an article by Carolyn Nicolaysen, entitled “Survival in Your Pocket:  The Amazing Mylar Blanket”
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