How to Use a Space Blanket for Wilderness Survival: Essential Tips

A space blanket, also known as an emergency blanket, is a lightweight and compact tool made of mylar that can significantly increase the chances of survival in the wilderness. Originally designed by NASA, space blankets reflect and retain more than 90% of the user’s body heat, making them an essential item in emergency situations. They provide warmth, shelter, and protection from the elements, and are especially effective in combating hypothermia.

While a space blanket’s primary function is to help maintain body heat, its versatility extends beyond just providing warmth. Its waterproof and windproof properties make it a practical addition to any wilderness survival kit. With proper knowledge and techniques, a space blanket can be utilized in various ways to ensure your safety and comfort during unexpected outdoor emergencies.

Key Takeaways

• Space blankets are essential for retaining body heat and combating hypothermia in wilderness survival situations.
• Their waterproof and windproof properties make them a versatile tool for shelter and protection.
• Understanding how to use a space blanket effectively can greatly enhance your chances of survival in outdoor emergencies.

Understanding Space Blankets

Historical Background and Material

Space blankets, sometimes called emergency blankets, were initially developed by NASA in the 1960s for use in space missions. These lightweight, thin blankets feature a unique material called Mylar, which is made of aluminum-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Mylar has some remarkable properties that make it an ideal material for space blankets, such as reflecting up to 97% of radiant heat and insulating well against wind and cold.

Types of Space Blankets

• Single-layer Mylar blankets: These are the most common type and are typically silver in color. They provide excellent heat and moisture protection, making them suitable for wilderness emergencies. They are also windproof and waterproof, which‌ keeps precipitation and gusts from stripping warmth from your skin.

• Two-sided Mylar blankets: These space blankets have a silver side and an alternative color, such as orange or green, on the other side. One side reflects heat, and the other side absorbs it. These blankets are useful when you want to absorb solar energy during the day and retain body heat at night.

• Reinforced space blankets: Reinforced blankets are made with multiple layers, often incorporating a layer of PET with Mylar for increased strength and durability. This type of space blanket is more robust, puncture-resistant, and tear-resistant but may come at the cost of a slightly heavier weight.

In conclusion, space blankets are an essential survival tool with a rich history and several types, each designed for specific purposes. When venturing into the outdoors, a space blanket should be in your backpack to help you retain body heat and stay warm in emergency situations.

Preparation and Packing

Choosing the Right Space Blanket

When preparing for a wilderness expedition, it is crucial to include an emergency blanket in your survival gear. There are various options available in the market, but the most popular and efficient ones are made of Mylar material. These blankets, also known as space blankets, are lightweight and durable, making them ideal for packing in a hiking backpack. Mylar blankets work effectively by reflecting heat back to the body and protecting from extreme weather conditions. They are waterproof and windproof, thus assisting in warding off hypothermia (source).

Consider the size and material of the space blanket. Thicker blankets provide better insulation, while larger ones can comfortably cover the entire body or be used as a makeshift shelter. It is also important to ensure that the blanket is compact, easy to fold, and packs well in your gear.

Packing for Different Climates

When packing for wilderness adventures, it is necessary to accommodate different weather conditions and identify the most suitable space blanket for each scenario. To achieve this, classify the expected climate into three categories – cold, temperate, and hot – and include the corresponding type of emergency blanket. Here’s a brief overview:

1. Cold Climate: In freezing temperatures, opt for a thicker space blanket with better insulation and heat retention to stay warm and prevent hypothermia.
2. Temperate Climate: For moderate weather, choose a standard Mylar space blanket that provides adequate heat reflection and protection from light rain and wind.
3. Hot Climate: In warmer conditions, consider a space blanket with a reflective side and a non-reflective side. This can help by reflecting sunlight away and providing shade during the day without overheating.

Remember to pack the space blanket in an accessible compartment of your backpack. This ensures that it is readily available during emergencies or when the need arises to use it for warmth, shelter, or even signaling for help.

In conclusion, a well-prepared wilderness survival kit should have a space blanket tailored for the specific climate of your destination. By understanding the characteristics of different space blankets and packing them accordingly, you can effectively face unpredictable and extreme weather conditions while exploring the great outdoors.

Shelter and Protection

Creating Emergency Shelters

Space blankets can be an essential tool for creating emergency shelters in wilderness survival situations. One simple way to create a shelter with a space blanket is by making a lean-to. To do this, tie a rope or paracord between two trees, then drape the space blanket over the rope. Secure the edges of the blanket to the ground using rocks or other heavy objects. This will create a basic structure that provides protection against the elements.

Another option is creating a ridgepole shelter with the space blanket. Start by setting up a long branch or stick horizontally between two trees or sturdy poles. Place the blanket over the ridge pole and secure the edges on the ground with rocks or stakes. This design offers extra stability and insulation.

Insulation and Heat Retention

The primary purpose of space blankets is to help retain body heat in emergency situations. They are constructed from reflective mylar material, which is designed to reflect heat back towards the body. This can be particularly useful for insulation when used as part of an emergency shelter. Wrapping the blanket around oneself or using it as a ground cover can also provide insulation and heat retention.

When using a space blanket for heat retention, be conscious of ventilation. As the blanket is waterproof and windproof, it can trap moisture and heat, which can lead to condensation. Make sure there is adequate airflow to prevent excessive condensation, which could make your situation less comfortable.

Protection from the Elements

Space blankets are waterproof and windproof, which makes them ideal for protecting against the elements in wilderness survival scenarios. By forming a barrier against rain, snow, and wind, space blankets can help maintain body temperature and reduce the risk of hypothermia.

In addition to their role in shelter construction, space blankets can also be used to create makeshift tarps or bivy sacks for extra protection. When using a space blanket as a tarp, secure the four corners to nearby trees or poles, forming an overhead cover. For a bivy sack, simply wrap the blanket around your sleeping bag to add an extra layer of insulation and protection from the elements.

In conclusion, using a space blanket effectively in wilderness survival situations can provide vital shelter and protection, enhance insulation and heat retention, and minimize exposure to the elements.

Health and Safety

Preventing Hypothermia

Mylar space blankets are designed to retain body heat and help prevent the onset of hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below its normal range, which can lead to serious consequences or even death. Being waterproof and windproof, space blankets are highly effective in reducing heat loss through convection, keeping rain and wind from stripping warmth from the hiker’s skin. They also retain sweat and moisture, which helps prevent the cooling effect of evaporation. In emergency situations, it’s essential to have a space blanket as a part of your first aid kit.

First Aid Utilizations

Beyond hypothermia prevention, space blankets have various other first aid applications:

• Splint Support: Wrap the space blanket around a broken limb and use its stiffness to provide support.
• Compression: In cases of sprains and strains, fold the blanket multiple times and wrap it around the affected area for compression.
• Makeshift Sling: Fold the blanket to create a sling to support an injured arm or to create a makeshift stretcher if needed.

Managing Shock and Comfort

In a survival situation, you may encounter individuals in shock due to injuries or extreme weather conditions. Space blankets can be useful for managing shock by providing thermal insulation and comfort while retaining the person’s body heat.

Utilize the following table as a guide when dealing with shock victims:

Remember to keep a space blanket in your first aid kit when venturing into the wilderness. Knowing how and when to use it can make a significant difference in a life-or-death situation.

Practical Applications in Wilderness Survival

Signaling and Being Located

In a survival situation, it is crucial to signal for help and increase your chances of being located by search and rescue teams. A space blanket can be a very effective signaling tool due to its highly reflective mylar material. By positioning the blanket in a way that catches sunlight or using it as a large reflective mirror, you can signal from long distances and catch the attention of rescuers. Additionally, a space blanket can be used as a bright-colored distress flag or folded into a distinguishable shape to signal your location when needed.

Collecting and Purifying Water

Space blankets can also be resourceful tools for collecting and purifying water in the wilderness. To collect water, create a makeshift funnel or basin by shaping the blanket and placing it in a low-lying area where rain or morning dew can accumulate. If you need to purify water using solar energy, create a solar still by digging a hole and covering it with the space blanket. Place a container underneath, add impure water or vegetation into the hole, and seal it with the space blanket, allowing sunlight to pass through and evaporate the water. When the water vapor condenses on the blanket, it will drip into the container, providing you with purified water.

Finding and Preparing Food

In a wilderness survival situation, acquiring and preparing food is vital. The space blanket’s reflective material allows it to function as a makeshift cooking tool. You can create a solar oven or reflector oven by using the blanket to focus sunlight onto a cooking vessel, such as a pot or container. This method can be used to cook or warm food, saving valuable time and resources that would be spent on making a fire. Moreover, the space blanket’s waterproof and windproof properties make it an ideal makeshift tablecloth or food preparation surface, keeping the food clean and dry.

Advanced Techniques and Tools

Integrating with Other Survival Gear

Space blankets can be highly effective when combined with other essential survival gear. For instance, they work well with paracords, which offer multiple uses in survival situations. You can use paracord to create a makeshift shelter with a space blanket as its cover, offering an excellent solution for protection against harsh weather conditions. Additionally, the space blanket can be secured to the ground with tent stakes or rocks for better insulation.

When it comes to tools, a multi-tool is a valuable piece of equipment to have. When paired with a space blanket, it opens up various possibilities for improvisation. For example, you can use the scissors in the multi-tool to cut the blanket into smaller sizes for specific uses such as making mittens to keep your hands warm or creating a sling for an injured arm.

Here’s a quick overview of some survival gear that can be integrated with space blankets:

• Paracord: Shelter setups, strapping, and binding
• Multi-tool: Cutting and customizing the blanket
• Compass and map: Navigating with added insulation
• Water container: Using the blanket as an improvised solar still

Improvised Solutions with Space Blankets

In addition to their primary function, space blankets can be utilized for various improvised solutions during wilderness survival. Here are a few ways in which you can use them:

1. Signal for help: The reflective surface of the space blanket can be used to signal for help by attracting attention from the air or ground in the form of a distress signal.

2. Solar water collector: By creating a small concave shape in the space blanket and placing it on the ground, you can use it as a solar water collector. The sunlight reflecting on the blanket warms the air and melts snow, allowing you to collect drinking water.

3. Improvised cookware: Use the space blanket to create a simple solar cooker by folding it into a funnel shape. This can help concentrate sunlight on a specific area, making it possible to heat up food or water.

4. Emergency poncho: Transform the blanket into a hooded poncho to protect yourself from rain, wind, and cold.

By understanding how to integrate space blankets with other survival gear and improvising various solutions, you can greatly enhance your chances of overcoming difficult situations in the wilderness.

Challenges and Considerations

Dealing with Extreme Weather

Cold weather and hot weather survival requires different priorities and behavioral adjustments. Space blankets, which are made of reflective mylar material, can be instrumental in retaining heat during cold conditions. They are waterproof and windproof, making them crucial in preventing hypothermia and insulating the body during frigid temperatures.

In hot weather, space blankets can also be utilized to create a shelter that reflects solar radiation, reducing the heat absorption rate while resting. Avoid direct contact with the material, as it can cause overheating. Remember to always stay hydrated in extreme heat for optimal survival chances.

Navigational Aids and Orientation

It’s essential to stay oriented in a wilderness survival situation, and space blankets can play a role in navigation. Their highly reflective properties make them visible from a distance, which can help signal for rescue and catch the attention of potential responders.

While navigating, a space blanket can also be used:

1. As a sun compass, reflecting the sun’s light onto the ground to determine its path and positioning.
2. To make a windbreak for added comfort while resting and planning your route.

Remember to always carry a physical map and compass, and be familiar with your surroundings to remain oriented during your journey.

Environmental Impact Awareness

As responsible hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, we must consider our impact on the environment. Space blankets can inadvertently contribute to pollution, endangering wildlife and harming natural habitats when not disposed of properly.

Consider the following best practices for respecting the environment while using a space blanket:

• Reuse your space blanket whenever possible.
• Avoid releasing it while in motion, as wind can carry it away.
• Dispose of it properly in a designated waste receptacle after use.

By considering these challenges and precautions, you can effectively use a space blanket for wilderness survival while minimizing harm to both yourself and the environment.

Conclusion

In the realm of wilderness survival, a space blanket can be an invaluable tool. Leveraging its design and capabilities can greatly enhance one’s chances of staying warm and safe during outdoor emergencies. With enough knowledge and experience, one can effectively utilize the space blanket for various purposes.

A key aspect of using a space blanket is understanding its primary function: retaining heat. Its reflective mylar material is specifically designed to reduce heat loss in a person’s body caused by thermal radiation, water evaporation, and convection¹. This property makes it an essential asset during unpredictable weather conditions in the wilderness.

Here are some recommended ways to use a space blanket:

• Wrap it around your body: Using a space blanket as a simple wrap can help conserve body heat, keeping you warm and dry.
• Build a temporary shelter: By combining space blankets with other materials, one can create a basic shelter that protects against wind, rain, and heat loss².
• Emergency signaling: Due to the blanket’s reflective nature, it can be used as a signal mirror to catch the attention of rescuers from a distance.

Space blankets are compact and lightweight, making them convenient to carry in any emergency-hiking kit. With proper skills and understanding, they can significantly increase the odds of survival in dire wilderness situations. It is essential to practice using them before venturing into the great outdoors, ensuring preparedness and confidence in handling emergencies.