Space Blankets

**dilligaf2u2** · 04-22-2008, 11:59 AM

I have never know of a space blanket to work worth a dang by itself. I have used one with a wool blanket to stay warm in 0F weather. They also block the wind.

I would rather have one and not need it then need it and not have one.

Don

**Omid** · 05-04-2008, 10:24 AM

I like spacebags (emergency blankets) but I use them as insulation for shelters. I prefer a wool blanket to sleep in.

**bladefrenzy** · 05-12-2008, 08:58 PM

I've been told that the space blankets are meant to be used, dare I say it...Naked. The reflect your body heat back on to you better this way. Not saying it's true, but many have said this is how they where designed to use. That said, no way I'll do it. that super thin mylar and my meaty butt in the freezing cold, no way.

I have one of those tiny ultra light bags, the ones that are smaller than a loaf of bread. That and a wool or fleece bag work for me. But it's never really cold down here.

**tacmedic** · 05-12-2008, 10:07 PM

You are correct bladefrenzy, they are meant to be used buck naked. Think of it like the foil around your baked potato, it reflects the infrared waves emitted by your body to help keep that heat in. The key is, you should then put additional layers of insulation on the outside of the space blanket to help add a stable layer of warm air outside of the space blanket since the space blanket itself will no protect you from conductive or convective heat loss (i.e laying on the cold ground, or the wind chill stealing heat from you.)

**Arkansas_Ranger** · 05-25-2008, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by klkak

I am in the practice of trying something out before commiting it to a kit. Well I got around to trying out a Spaceblanket last night. It wasnt that cold, about 20 f. During the day I made a nice Aframe shelter. I scraped away what snow was on the ground and use one of my foam sleeping mats as a ground cover. At 2200 I went out to the shelter behind the house, unfolded the Spaceblanket and crawled into the shelter, wrapped myself in the blanket and tried to go to sleep. Long about 0100 I was shivering so bad I couldnt hardly crawl out of the shelter. I went into the house and made a cup of tea and wrapped up in a wool blanket. After a bit I started warming up and fell asleep.

Space Blankets are light weight and compact. However I dont think I will be depending on it to keep me alive over night in anything under about 40f. This is just my Opinion based on my experience with this item. I hope my experiment helps someone deside whether or not to carry or use one.

I read elsewhere recently that they weren't worth much in keeping warm. I've never fully understood how putting cold foil on your skin would keep you warmer especially since it'd be reflecting light and heat. Granted, it'll trap some residual body heat. Why am I replying? Boredom.

**klkak** · 05-26-2008, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Arkansas_Ranger

I read elsewhere recently that they weren't worth much in keeping warm. I've never fully understood how putting cold foil on your skin would keep you warmer especially since it'd be reflecting light and heat. Granted, it'll trap some residual body heat. Why am I replying? Boredom.

LOL,