A Space Blanket (also known as a Mylar blanket, first aid blanket, safety blanket, thermal blanket or weather blanket) is an especially low-weight, low-bulk blanket made of heat-reflective thin plastic sheeting that retains 90 percent of an individuals body heat to keep warm in cold conditions. Their design reduces the heat loss in a person’s body which would otherwise occur due to thermal radiation, water evaporation, or convection.
Space Blankets are very useful to protect against wind and rain. As we can all imagine and attest to, space blankets are a great item to included in your emergency, first aid, and survival kits, but there are also a variety of other uses for them. The fact that space blankets are waterproof, windproof, lightweight, and portable makes them popular among outdoor enthusiasts, high endurance sportsmen such as marathon runners, or during any time the weather is colder.
They can also be included in camping equipment. Lost campers and hikers have an additional possible benefit: the metallic surface appearance flashes in the sun, allowing use as an improvised distress beacon for searchers.
In a hotter environment, a space blanket can be used as a way to block sunlight since they have a reflective surface. Of course, you want to avoid wrapping yourself with them in these instances due to their ability to trap body heat.
Finally, space blankets can also be used as a way to insulate containers or for other DIY (do-it-yourself) solar projects.
What are some other uses you can think of for Space Blankets?