MY SECURITY BLANKET ~ SOL HEATSHEETS EMERGENCY BLANKET REVIEW & TUTORIAL

MY SECURITY BLANKET
An item every kit should have. A 3 oz. shelter, ground cloth, blanket, improvised pack, bag, water collector and more.
SOL HEATSHEETS SURVIVAL BLANKET
#emergencyblanket #survivalkit #backpacking

For a single piece of small gear that can perform a plethora of duties, it is hard to beat an emergency blanket. But mylar blankets don't cut it IMHO. They simply do not stand up against any real amount of use or abuse. The SOL Heatsheets Survival Blanket is what you always thought a mylar "space" blanket SHOULD be. More durable, multifunctional and effective as a piece of gear you can actually use. They are waterproof, windproof, heat reflecting, won't shred to ribbons at the slightest puncture AND you can re-pack them.

As an emergency tool, heat reflecting blankets are well proven & established (there is a reason first responders the world over carry them). But, the mylar ones have always been just a 'better than nothing' option for a one time use item in a medical or survival kit and thats about it. Ya just can't trust um for much more.
The SOL HEATSHEETS SURVIVAL BLANKET is made of a different material but with the same lightweight packable size and reflective properties of mylar. Vacuum-metalized polyethylene reflects 90% of your body heat while offering a number of other important features that set it apart from traditional mylar blankets.
Emergency uses aside, these make excellent UL ground cloths or tent footprints, so, we've justified carrying it by replacing one item. But they have MANY more uses.
The SOL Heatsheets from Adventure Medical Kits is 5' X 8' (big enough to actually use) and it's 3 oz. weight is light enough to curtail arguments for not carrying it. It's $7 price makes it a bargain footprint but also no big deal as a givaway to someone in need.

¤ 1 reflective side and 1 orange hi-vis side, it works better in desert conditions as it won't reflect ground heat/rays back at you when used as shade cover with reflective side out.
¤ It opens easily and will not shred if nicked or punctured. It stretches and has rip-stop qualities far superior to mylar. Rips and tears can also be repaired with duct tape or tearaid.
¤ It is quiet and won't crinkle underneath you or in high winds.
¤ Its high-visibility orange side makes it easy for rescuers to find you in an emergency and has survival tips printed on it. (So there, we've also replaced that heavy book you take)
¤ It can also be put back in it's bag. Ever try to fold or stuff a mylar blanket back into its package?

This can actually replace something like a tent footprint in your backpack but where it truly excels is as an incaseshit item in a day pack or on trips away from basecamp. Emergency blankets have 101 uses. The Heatsheets duability makes it perform these well.
Some uses:
¤ Insulation as blanket (wrap under jacket), sleeping bag augmentation, etc.
¤ Ground cloth or footprint
¤ Shelter as rain or shade tarp, canopy,  lean-to, A-frame, etc.
¤ Poncho
¤ Pack cover/liner
¤ Gear/wood cover
¤ Heat reflector
¤ Wind break
¤ Cover on torn tent, tarp, etc. for fix in rain
¤ Under tarp shelter for heat reflector
¤ Rain/dew water collector/vessel/funnel
¤ Deadman anchor (not for climbing)
¤ Sling/compression bandage
¤ Signaling device, directional marker
¤ Shoe liner to stave off frost bite
¤ Solar still
¤ Makeshift foodbag for carry or hanging
¤ Makeshift horseshoe pack. Here’s a quick tutorial vid on that: http://www.fitclimb.com/video/horseshoe-blanket-roll

NOTES ON USES:

To use as shelter, a way of tying off ends is needed for guy lines. Making "buttons" with small stones, pinecones, sticks or socks and such is a good way.

To make buttons:
Step 1: Slide the filler material into the shelter material and wrap the shelter material around it to create a button.

Step 2: Loop a slip knot around the button.

Step 3: Pull the end of the line and cinch the knot tight. Finish off by tying the end to an object such as a tree, stake, etc… with a clove hitch, trucker's hitch or prusik.

How about a 3 oz shelter? As a lean-to, canopy or A-frame these will put up with significant wind and are totally waterproof. A couple stakes, some cord and viola! Done. Reflective side down for cold conditions. Building a fire in front of it will take you down to pretty damm cold because of its reflective properties. Reflective side out for hot conditions. Add 25' of 2mm or 550 cord and maybe a couple of stakes to the Heatsheets bag and yer set.
(The stakes and cord will add some weight but...)

As body insulation we often see emergency blankets thrown over people as a wrap. They certainly work well in this capacity but, to gain better insulation, wrap yourself in blanket and put jacket over this. You'll fine the Heatsheets large for this so you can cut about 2' off one end and cut this strip in half. Then use these two pieces to line your shoes for toasty, waterproof toes. Worn over your clothes it can make a decent make-shift poncho.

I don't take many incaseshit items on backpacking trips. But this has made the cut. I've used um to make shade for a dehydrated hiker on the side of a trail, as my tent footprint and as a layer over a ripped tent in a storm and gotten more than a year of use out of one. Be prepared on the trail.

Go play outside.
Packman
Tread lightly and be safe