Just returned from Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and found a few items of interest that will be included in our annual SHOT Show Report mid-February. But one was so cool, I thought I'd share it here now. By now, everyone here knows how much I dislike the traditional Mylar emergency blanket. "Hate" would not be too strong a description. They have all sorts of problems, the most serious being that they are extremely fragile. They puncture easily and once punctured rip to shreds. In addition they are a PITA to unfold and noisy as all get out. A while ago Adventure Medical Kits changed the base material of their oversized (96 x 60 inches) "1 or 2 person Survival Emergency Blanket" that is also known as the "Heatsheet" (though for reasons nobody can figure out, the current packaging left that off) . This was formerly made of Mylar, like all such blankets, and then it was printed with orange on one side with some survival instructions printed in black on the orange background. Printing on that material was difficult and they looked for a better material to work with and ended up with some "special low-density polyethylene" film. As it turns out, this makes a emergency blanket which solves most of the drawbacks of the typical Mylar blanket. The poly is much tougher and more resistant to puncture and once punctures does not shred. It unfolds easily and can even be refolded with relatively minor agro. It is also pretty quiet, Not quite as quiet as cloth, both many times quieter than the Mylar. The only down side is that is is 0.2 oz. heavier than the conventional Mylar blanket of the same size, not much of a penalty. It was always the best of a poor choice because of the larger size and orange side for signaling, now it's actually a pretty decent choice and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants this type of product. The survival instructions still leave a bit to be desired of, but nobody here's going to be relying upon them anyway. Below is a photo of my finger stretching the material:

Cool. What's the estimated cost and where can I get one?

-Mark

Looks like it's about $5 for the 2 person "heatsheet" and this search should lead to many retailers:

Google Search for AMK Emergency Blanket

It appears that they're gearing up to get it rolling on Adventure Medical Kits Site. You can find the blankets by going to the Survival Section. However, the links to the blankets currently aren't working.

When they do get them up, all you have to do is click into the description, and then you'll be able either add your zipcode to find a store near you, or click on a store to buy online.

Errrr... Or you could do as massacre suggested and find it now. LOL

I wonder how they will do in heat, like a car trunk or in the desert? Colored plastic often sticks to itself in hot weather, and doesn't peel apart very well.

I guess we need to do some field research!

Sue

Hey Doug

what about this one that Benjammin posted on this forum a while back?

http://www.land-shark.com/

Good question.

Totally different product. This is laminated to a heavy plastic backing with glass fiber reinforcement. Similar material is used in some other blankets. These products are considerably bulkier and heavier than the emergency blankets.

I agree. The land shark is a robust emergency survival bag; heavier, stiffer, and more durable than anything else I've found in this category. If you can discount the weight, size and price limitations, the land shark should be the best in show. One of us will review it soon I am sure. Right now I am too busy relocating to give it a go, but come February, I plan on placing an order with land shark.

However, this new heatsheet looks full of promise. It may not be reflective like the bivy bag or the mylar, but if it will hold up better, it should be quite suitable as a protection against the wind and rain. Poly U should hold up against heat better than Poly E or Poly V. I reckon I will have to get me one or two of these now as well. So much for my garbage bag days. Oh, the burden of making a better living....

This does look to be a significant improvement. Obviously the weight difference is insignificant. What about bulk? Does it pack down as small as the standard blanket? If so I'll be in for a couple.

It has the same metalized coating as the Mylar blankets.

Bulk appears to be about the same.

Susan,

I believe your concern is valid with a PU base material. AFAIK Mylar has a higher sticky point temperature than PU.

If that turns out to be the case, I suggest taking the sheet out, dusting it with talc on both sides (or possibly corn starch), and re-folding it for storage. Remember to close eyes and stop inhaling momentarily when shaking it out. (Any old rocketeer knows what I'm writing about).

Regards,

Tom

COUGH, COUGH, HACK, HACK, GAG!

Eyes streaming, nose running....

What? Huh? Shake it out downwind??? <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Sue

Right, I didn't notice that on the first look, but I see it at the top of the page covering the heel of your hand now. This just keeps getting better...

So is this one the original, or the new and improved? Anyone know?

From what I've read in the posts a new and improved one.

Lee

Maybe I misunderstand your post, but it seems I was not clear. What I meant was the link for the Google search for AMK turned up some websites, and I'm curious if the heat sheets listed on those sites are the new ones or the originals. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Check the description and see if they mention polyurethane.

The heatsheet listed on MEC (MEC heatsheet) is described as being polypropylene, not polyurethane.

Alex

In a way, that makes more sense, but Doug's photo looked rubbery like PU might be. But I am unaware of any flexible sheets of medium density PU, so... which is it??? Doug and all other sources I've seen so far say it's PU. I think I'll buy a couple to check out anyway and I'm confident that the feel will give it away.

Would be trivial to measure the density and that might clear up any PP vs PU question - but PU comes in so many densities...

Doug?

OK, my bad. It is "special low-density polyethylene." I obviously got the material incorrect. Too darn many poly-whatevers out there. <g>

Sorry.

Doug - Whatever it is - sounds worth trying them out. You're not the only one calling it PU. I'm going to order a couple and check them out. Thanks for the notification.

Tom

Edit: Quick review for me - I'm betting you're correct; it's almost certain to be LLDPE film (Linear low density polyethylene). No way could it be polypropylene (melting point even lower than I remembered).