Our team uses the Mylar blankets as a vapor/wind barrier. We create a patient package, by first laying down a Mylar blanket into a rescue basket and placing 2-3-wool blend disaster blankets on top. Onto this package the patient is placed (often with heat packs and any other medical necessities – BP cuff, pressurized IV, etc.) and as tightly as reasonable (body hugging) we fold one side over the patient and then the other side, sometimes duct taping the seam. Depending upon the weather, we may place another Mylar blanket over the top of the patient.

While they can be used many times, we consider the wool blend disaster blankets to be disposable, in the sense once we complete our portion of the rescue, we rarely ever get the blankets back from the hospital.

For personal use, I would have the insulating layer of clothing closest to the body, covered with the Mylar blanket.

Pete