How Mylar Blankets Work - Not For Insulation

Sometimes called an Emergency Thermal Blanket, Space Blanket, Silver Foil Blanket. Pictured above: NASA Hubble Space Telescope

 
Do Mylar Blankets Actually Work?
 
Mylar is a trademarked polyester resin owned by DuPont, a global leader in polyester films. Mylar is heat-resistant and it is aluminized making it UV-resistant and having reflective properties. It is true, that the mylar material was designed by NASA (in collaboration with other manufacturing companies) in the 1950s to protect their equipment, telescopes, cameras, computers, rovers, and much more. The material is very efficient in reflecting infrared rays (great for the drastic temperature changes in space) and it is lightweight and tear-resistant, making it the best choice for sending rockets into space. Mylar is designed to work for extreme cold and extremely hot temperatures.
 
"infrared waves being the chief component of thermal energy in the near-vacuum conditions of outer space—to create either first- or second-surface reflecting. In some instances, the material is intended to deflect the infrared rays, and in other cases, it is meant to conserve them as a passive warming system." ¹
 
Thermal blankets are being checked on Aquarius/SAC-D, an international mission involving NASA. CREDIT: NASA

You can see how something like this would hit the mainstream markets rather quickly. And it did. 

 
When Are Mylar Blankets Used?
 
MYLAR IS NOT FOR INSULATION
An important fact to know is that Mylar blankets are NOT for insulation (in the sense that you might think), but for deflection and conservation of heat waves. Mylar is supposed to be used on top of insulating material, blankets, clothing, etc. This is vital to understand, otherwise, you will be disappointed when using them. For insulating blankets, check out Kemp USA's relief blanket and wool blankets. Below we look at some settings for when and how mylar blankets are typically used.
 
Marathon Runners
When you have 5,000 - 20,000 people show up to a city for a running marathon during the chilly fall months of October and November, marathon coordinators need to make sure the runners are cared for after they cross the finish line. After a strenuous run, the body will exert lots of heat, combine that with the cold weather outside and your body will begin to battle to maintain warmth.  Kemp USA Mylar Blankets are great and an inexpensive blanket to pass out to the crowds as they move to a warmer place to prevent hypothermia from setting in. 
 
Outdoor Survival & Emergency Rescuers
Professional rescuers, hikers, campers, backpackers, nomads, and wanderers all must be equipped with Mylar Blankets just in case the weather drastically changes at a moment's notice. We recommend you definitely have the regular Mylar Blanket on hand (in your first aid kit), but you should also have the Kemp USA Mylar Tent and Mylar Sleeping Bag as well when you head out into the wild. The Mylar Tent comes with a cord so that you can set up your tent easily. Remember, mylar is both windproof and waterproof. It also has dozens of other practical uses for your survival kit. The nice thing about Mylar material is that it is very lightweight and compact, it won't be a nuisance in your travels and you will not regret it when it comes time to break it out!
 
 
Humanitarian & Disaster Relief
Kemp USA has supplied millions of our mylar blankets to humanitarian needs around the world. Both domestically and internationally. Great for refugees who are traveling, border patrol where temperatures are extreme, and other natural disasters such as flooding and hurricanes. Kemp USA stocks these blankets in our Charlotte, NC warehouse by the hundreds of thousands (and at times we have a million). We've supplied government agencies like the US Border Patrol, as well as international relief missions like Samaritan's Purse.
 
First Aid Kits
Today most general first aid kits have a mylar blanket. The American Red Cross recommends that your first aid kit have an emergency mylar blanket and ANSI standards require that all first aid kits have a foil blanket! You can read more here about making a First Aid Kit. Kemp USA carries a variety of First Aid Kits and recently we added a Heat Stress First Aid Kit to the collection which is a must-have for hot summer days. 
 
We hope this information has been a help to you! Kemp USA is a manufacturer and wholesaler for the EMS and Lifeguard industries. We do not sell to the general public. We have been in business for over 15 years. For more information please email us at [email protected] or visit our website: www.KempUSA.com
 
 
 

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