An emergency humanitarian tool that has saved lives in times of natural or man-made disasters is the sleep system or sleeping bag/blanket combo. These are insulated, quilted cloths designed to keep people warm while they rest or recover from activity.
They were first used during World War II when soldiers would use them to preserve body heat while asleep in freezing conditions. Since then, these products have been adapted for use by civilians in times of emergencies such as tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, and other natural disasters.
These days, pre-packaged emergency blankets with easy-to-use temperature regulation systems are available at very low prices. However, making your own personal version is a cost-effective way to ensure it does not get wasted.
What is an emergency blanket?
A standard early-model emergency blanket looks like a large sweatshirt. They can be made larger or smaller depending on how hot or cold the person using them wants to regulate their body temperature.
By adding a layer of polyester wool material and stitching together several squares, the fabric becomes thicker and warmer. Because this product was needed during wartime, many manufacturers add ironclad durability to theirs. Some even say that they will last forever!
There are two main reasons why individuals may need to use an emergency blanket in times of crisis. First, someone could suffer from exposure to excessive heat or cold.
Why Do You Need Emergency Space Blankets?
An easy way to illustrate how important it is to have an adequate supply of survival gear is by thinking about what would happen if there was a major earthquake or hurricane.
If you don’t have enough food, water, and shelter, your chances of surviving will be limited very heavily. Luckily, however, people have come up with ways to help you survive such situations, one of which is having an emergency blanket.
These thermal blankets are typically made of fleece material and feature two layers that work together to retain heat. One layer is thicker than the other, making it possible to use one side as a regular blanket to sleep under while retaining the heated inner layer for warmth when you wake up in the morning.
Another cool thing about these blankets is that they can be used not just for sleeping, but also as a self-warming vest to hold you warm while outdoors.
How Do Emergency Blankets Work?
An emergency blanket is designed to work in two ways: it can be used as a thermal coverup or heat source. As a thermal cover, it functions by pulling in some of the surrounding warmth to protect you against cold temperatures. Or if there’s already enough heat around you, it will pull that up instead to help regulate your body temperature.
As a heat source, it works like a nice, heavy coat for winter. It absorbs and retains excess body heat to preserve heart function and tissue perfusion. Unfortunately, most people don’t use their bodies’ own heat very efficiently, so adding more doesn’t always help much.
Emergency blankets have been shown to increase survival rates in individuals experiencing deadly exposure to excessive cold. Because they are able to both warm you and mask you from external sources of heat, using one before rescue can help slow down death. They are also cost-effective, typically costing less than $100.
How effective are emergency blankets?
The average person needs about one minute to don an emergency blanket.
That’s not very long, right? But if everyone lived by that rule, we would never get out of our houses!
So how much longer does it really take to use an emergency blanket? Well, some people report being able to use their own personal emergency blanket for up to two hours without needing to recharge it.
And while one minute is pretty quick, it can make a big difference in helping protect you from getting too cold during a disaster or urgent situation.
Can you sleep with an emergency blanket?
One of the biggest debates about these cold-weather bed covers is whether you can fall asleep using them or not. Some say yes, and others say no. Thankfully, we have some more information for you!
You can definitely lay down under your winter coat wearing layer-up gear including an emergency blanket before going to sleep. When doing so, make sure to pull it up past your nose just like you would any other face coverup such as a scarf or mask. You also want to make sure that there are no holes or gaps in the neck area where you could breathe.
How to Use an Emergency Blanket?
An essential part of any first aid kit is the use of an emergency blanket. These are long, thin sheets that can be used to wrap around yourself or someone else to help them feel more comfortable and protected.
Many people use these blankets during disasters or emergencies for several reasons. They may want to limit blood flow to prevent heat stroke, reduce thermal exposure by protecting people from hot surfaces, or just provide comfort when nothing else does.
When using an emergency blanket, make sure it has enough material to completely cover your target. Most ones have two layers with a microfiber inner layer and a wool outer layer. The thinner layer helps retain warmth whereas the thicker one provides additional protection against temperature changes.
Experts recommend using one-half yard (or about 160 cm) per person as needed until heated up and dried out. You should also check to see if there are any manufacturer recommendations regarding numbers such as minimum thickness.
What Are the Best Blankets for Emergency?
First, let’s talk about what an emergency blanket is! An emergency blanket (also known as an advanced life support (ALSA) blanket or survival bag) is designed to help preserve body heat, suppress breathing, and reduce oxygen consumption in patients who may be suffering from exposure or lack of air due to things like fire, smoke, flooding, or other causes of respiratory distress.
The average thickness of an adult-sized EMS-issued ALSA blanket is 1.5 inches – which makes it very thin! However, they can easily be doubled up for additional warmth and use of this article will tell you how many times these blankets are needed and why.
While there are several brands of lightweight ALSA blankets that are much thinner than standard ones, we will only focus on heavy-duty ALSA blankets here. These types of blankets have longer sleeves that can actually be put over your mouth and nose to help prevent inhalation of harmful particles as well as limit breathable surface area. This helps protect you from potential oxygen deprivation and thermal regulation loss.
When using an ALSA blanket, make sure to pull it tightly across yourself so that no space is left exposed that could potentially cause suffocation or allow airflow. You want to limit airflow as much as possible to maximize its protective effects!
Another important factor to consider when choosing an ALSA blanket is whether or not it has removable liners.
How to Choose the Right Blanket for an Emergency Situation?
When choosing an emergency blanket, make sure it is high quality and has enough layers to warm up your hands. These are typically made of either wool or micro-fiber material and are usually one long sleeve.
The length of the sleeve can be adjusted so that it fits more loosely for easy use or tighter for warmer winter layering. Many have a hood that can be pulled up over your head to help protect you from heat loss through your mouth and nose.
Some additional features like waterproof liners or flannel shirt sleeves increase durability. We recommend buying online as you can check return policies and read customer reviews to ensure this.
Cheap Emergency Blankets
When choosing an emergency blanket, it’s important to consider the temperature rating and the materials used. Some blankets are designed to be more durable and able to withstand extreme temperatures, while others are more lightweight and designed for milder climates. It’s also important to choose a blanket that is easy to transport and store.
Cheap emergency blankets can be found in many different sizes and styles, and offer a great way to be prepared for any emergency situation. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or just preparing for the worst, an emergency blanket can be an essential item to have on hand.
Which One Should You Buy?
First, let’s talk about why it is so important to be prepared for emergencies!
In today’s world, natural disasters are not uncommon. Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, heat waves, and earthquakes can devastate areas and prove fatal for those in their path.
When disaster strikes, your health comes first. And an easy way to start taking care of yourself is by buying an emergency blanket.
What is an emergency blanket you ask? Well, it’s a thermal garment that covers you up completely (chest, legs, and arms) and zips into place.
Once closed, the material becomes a tight weave mesh fabric. This “blanket-like” layer functions as a barrier to help regulate body temperature. It also helps protect you from radiation, chemical exposure, and infectious agents.
Typically, people use them while stranded outside or during nighttime weather due to lack of shelter. During these times, the warmth provided by the blanket is especially helpful.
While most agree they are effective if used properly, there is some controversy surrounding how many uses each product will provide. Some say one use per person, while others state two.