And clearly stuff you don't want to know... Have you used one in a emergency? yes I have, so have several others here on the trail. All those years carrying one in the back of my scout backpack was for nothing, until you need it... wow what are the expectations? how well does it work? First how well does it work? Guess what at 40 degrees you will still freeze your butt off. I planned a Dad Son camp - hike in the Pocono's of Pennsylvania years ago - he was 16 and for some crappy reason I packed one sleep bag. I didn't hesitate I gave it to him. I grabbed that old gold and silver space blanket from the 70's and broke it out, I was good for a few hours in spite of the noise of the crinkles. Then somewhere around 2-3 moisture built up under the blanket. Its less than 40 degrees at the Pocono's KOA and its raining sweat under the blanket and I am getting cold. I shook it off in the tent and wrapped myself in it again with all the layers on. The next morning the lesson was learned. I did sleep but was far from comfortable... seriously 8-16 ounces? better not to leave your down mummy bag.. After that I wanted to dump it, don't need it for UL. Right? well it doesn't work right? wrong it does work... about two years back and I remember a show from Mythbusters several attempts on using a blanket in front of a PIR alarm motion system and it didn't work. Later Columbia added microdots of mylar into the underlayment of jackets. Its 1963 space tech - so wait we have a FLIR (Forward looking infrared cameras, typically used on military and civilian aircraft, use an imaging technology that senses infrared radiation) at the office. I was about to give up and Eureka! You tubes... comes thru...Fresh Ideas!
Ahhh Check this out a Boy Scout in front of FLIR...
Clearly it works...
In addition to the space blanket, the United States military also uses a similar blanket called the "casualty blanket". It uses a thermal reflective layer similar to the space blanket, backed by an olive drab colored reinforcing outer layer. It provides greater durability and warmth than a basic space blanket at the cost of greater bulk and weight. It is also used as a partial liner inside the layers of bivouac sacks in very cold weather climates. Space blankets are also used by the Taliban to hide their heat signature from NATO forces.[5]
So do you still carry one?
Ahhh Check this out a Boy Scout in front of FLIR...
Clearly it works...
In addition to the space blanket, the United States military also uses a similar blanket called the "casualty blanket". It uses a thermal reflective layer similar to the space blanket, backed by an olive drab colored reinforcing outer layer. It provides greater durability and warmth than a basic space blanket at the cost of greater bulk and weight. It is also used as a partial liner inside the layers of bivouac sacks in very cold weather climates. Space blankets are also used by the Taliban to hide their heat signature from NATO forces.[5]
So do you still carry one?
Be wise enough to walk away from the nonsense around you!