The mylar emergency blankets you love SUCK – but there’s hope

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by Motomom34, Nov 14, 2016.


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  1. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I really like the Graywolf survival blog. He does an excellent job and often makes observations that I never thought of, I guess that is why he is an expert. Graywolf wrote up his 2cents on mylar blankets. I really cannot disagree. I thought it was worthy of sharing.

    The mylar emergency blankets you love SUCK – but there’s hope

    Please follow link for the rest of the article.... it is good.
    The mylar emergency blankets you love SUCK - but there's hope
     
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  2. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    Yup! He nailed it! And, they work great for gathering rain or reflecting heat but to wrap one around you for warmth, not. Wrap yourself in a wool blend blanket then the emergency blanket and you will be toasty.
     
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  3. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Yep! Those emergency blankets do suck but I still carry one but also an old wool army blanket that I found in perfect condition at Goodwill.
     
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  4. avagdu

    avagdu Monkey++

    Surprised he didn't mention the USGI Casualty Blanket although the commercial heavy-duty all weather emergency blanket made an appearance so that's comparable. A casualty blanket and a USGI poncho liner (aka woobie) will go farther and is much more useful than the cheap, thin mylar emergency blankets.
     
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  5. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Those mylar "blankets" are excellent reflectors of internal heat IF there is a layer of something that creates an air space. You go out the window naked in winter, they are useless. Water proofing and wind breaking, very yes, insulating, no.
     
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  6. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    After reading the article I had to try it out. I tried sleeping in one in the house. He was right, they stink for sleeping in. I have used them for shelter building and they are not as sturdy as my visqueen.
     
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  7. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Space blankets are putting useless on their own. I have only used them one time and that's when we got cocky while rock climbing. We had quite a heavy session when we arrived at the face the night before so the following morning we were climbing with heavy heads. We had sweated most of the alcohol out of us when we got about half way up and the sun was out and it was a beautiful summer day so at this ledge with a gorgeous view we stop for a breather and to grab a bite and since we were tired from the night before...we took a nap. Yep. Woke 3+ hours later and while we could make the summit before it got dark (gets dark early in the mountains) we couldn't get down which was a bit tricky on that rock so...we spent the night at the summit dressed for summer in shorts and T-shirts. Your feet sweat in rock shoes and the shoes are extremely tight and worn with no socks so I took my shoes off, wrapped my feet with piece of an emergency blanket then stuck them inside my small ruck sack. I rolled up in the rest and waited for dawn. Worked pretty good. It was a damn cold night, clear as a bell and we set up watching the stars all night, freezing our tails off. It was a good lesson and one never repeated.
     
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  8. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    There is nothing like my poncho and poncho liner to survive the night.... Light Infantry teaches you to enjoy the suck.... no matter how cold or wet you are...it can always get worse. Wrap yourself around your ruck and drape the poncho and the liner directly over you...nighty nighty... till they kick you awake or something startles you. ;)
     
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  9. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    aw shucks, find yourself a nice little natural depression or break out your handy dandy gi shovel and dig a 20-24 inch wide 6ft long slit trench. pile leaves in the smoothed out trench, next one of your emergency blankets. more leaves, with leaves all around the trench that you can pull in over you. lay down, fluff leaves atop you, last cover yourself with the second emergency blanket. you and the fleas, spiders, and ticks will be as snug as a bug in a rug. trust me. would I lie?
     
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  10. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    Yes
     
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  11. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    Not all Space Blankets are the same! I have had some that worked awesome, and some that were not worth the trouble taking them out of the packaging! I don't know who made them, but back in the early 80's there was a company that supplied them to the U.S. Mil, and they were Gold on one side, and very thin rubberized coating on the other side, brownish black! These are the ones that really work as intended! My dad sent my brothers and I a case of them back when we were in high school, and I still have 7 of them! No markings on the package or the blankets! I wish I had the box they came it! IF I run across the brand, I will post it up!
     
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  12. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    I would never intentionally mislead my fellow monkeys. Homeless people have been using newspaper as insulation inlayers with clothing and blankets to increase the ability to hold body heat and deny cold access to freeze them. It's not exactly poor mans eider down, but it does have value. Ditto DRY LEAVES to a survivalist. It is a well know concept. I do not lie!!! I do on occasion use the [sarc1][sarc2]Emojis as well as "tic" to indicate "tongue in cheek"
     
  13. svjoe

    svjoe Angry Monkey

    I will stick to my Army poncho liner. Have 5 of them and they are the most sought after blanket in my house!!
     
  14. Pax Mentis

    Pax Mentis Philosopher King |RIP 11-4-2017

    Actually, they work well with an army wool blanket between them and you...
     
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  15. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

  16. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    I found them discussing took much noise to sleep under ,not worth weight space saving. IMO
    A person needs real significant sleep to function properly ,I get 6 hrs average.
    Thats 6 hours 1/4th of one's existence , just as important as food and water and shelter.
    Why chinse (cheap skate) on the quality of sleep one needs ?
    Not just you, but say there is an injured person among you that can't be moved or hypothermic
    just soaked in an ice break.
    If you don't plan for the worst in especially bad weather, you pan to die.
    Even good weather can change, especially with the changes going on with the planet.
    I stow a mylar blanket in my gear ,but mostly for coming upon an accident , for putting over some one injured .
    I can had out and walk away when emergency crews arrive .
    Far as I'm concerned they are completely expendable .
     
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