I just bought 4 of these space blankets but don't have any idea if they are any good. These look like pieces of aluminum foil to me....How will they keep a person warm?? WHEN do you use them??

-- Who Me (Ime Not@Home.now), September 26, 1999

Answers

A space blanket is very good, it needs to be treated with the utmost care.

Yes they are foil... cool right? dare I say it? you could make a *tinfoil hat*. :)

Anyway, yes they will keep you warm by reflecting almost all thermal energy radiating from your body back to you. Careful, they trap body moisture that accompanies the heat. Make sure you have conventional bedding between you and the space blanket.

"WHEN do you use them?? "

......try using them when you don't want to be cold. :)

-- Will (sibola@hotmail.com), September 27, 1999.

Ooh, sorry I forgot; use them shiniest side towards you.

-- Will (sibola@hotmail.com), September 27, 1999.

In Britain they're known as anti-hypothermia blankets, which should tell you something. Yes, use between conventional sheets or blankets; they're a bit fragile used alone anyway. Keep a couple in the glove compartment for travel emergencies. Wal-Mart has them for a couple of dollars; cheap enough that you could get a handful. Use also for keeping fridges and coolers cold after power outages.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 27, 1999.

You could use them on the windows to keep heat in the room. Or sew them between fabric for black out of your windows and to add insulation. You can buy heavy duty one in most camping stores if you are plan on using them all winter for bedding.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), September 27, 1999.

I used to keep one with me all the time on ski patrol (back on the mainland). They supply a fair amount of heat retention. They are relatively fragile...but are good for emergencies.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), September 27, 1999.

I work in the wholesale flower business and occassionally, we receive flowers, shipped from South America, wrapped in Mylar. I'm wondering if mylar is the same product as these emerg. blankets.

-- sue (whotfru@mindspring.com), September 28, 1999.

Aaaah, thanks for the spark sue about mylar vs space blankets. Any mylar I've seen would certainly be more durable than any space blanket I've come across.

I suppose this deserves a test. Mylar certainly is reflective. Can anyone tell us how well mylar reflects heat?

-- Will (sibola@hotmail.com), September 28, 1999.

Another use for the blankets. I've purchased some to use as a room divider in the case where I have to try and keep a room warm this winter. The layout of our house is such that most rooms on the lower level are connected, i.e. without actual walls or doorways separating the various rooms. This includes the room with the fireplace on the lowest level - there are no walls to keep the warm air from rising and flowing right out he room and upstairs. A few space blankets tacked to the ceiling will serve to contain the warm air and reflect IR back into the room (or so I'm hoping!). Stay warm!

e.m.

-- Eyell Makedo (make_do@hotmail.com), September 29, 1999.

Some places selling camping gear have 'heavier' duty space blankets for around $10 to $12. These are 5' by 7' and are called "All Weather Space Blankets" (or similar). I've seen them for sale on the net, too. Don't get me wrong, the little ones that are around $2 have good uses, also. It's just that I've heard they tend to rip or tear pretty easily. If you want ones that last, you might want to consider the heavier ones.

I remember reading a thread where someone used the cheaper ones as liners for their solar oven.

-- winter wondering (winterwondering@yahoo.com), September 29, 1999.