Those pocket-sized Mylar (TM) space blankets I've mentioned in past blog entries have at least several other uses besides protection from exposure in a camping or survival situation.
* A Mylar (TM) space blanket is useful in the First Aid Kit, even in the Summertime, when a person is suffering from shock after heat exhaustion, sunstroke, diabetes, cardiac arrest, or other conditions. A Mylar (TM) space blanket can help retain necessary body heat for a shock victim, while reflecting away the excess heat and Ultraviolet radiation of the Sun. Make sure to keep the shock victim covered and in a fetal position if possible to conserve heat and allow for ventilation.
* Mylar (TM) space blankets can also reflect sunlight toward either a rescue airplane or a distant land-based rescue party and thus signal your presence. If long enough or available in mass quantities, Mylar (TM) space blankets can be pieced together to make specific air signals such as:
An arrow which means: "I Am Going in This Direction,"
A block with a hollow center which means: "Need Map and Compass,"
Two Solid blocks which means: "Need radio"
An "F" which means: "Need Food and Water,"
An "I" which means: "Need Doctor,"
An "I" followed by a right-pointing arrow which means: "Will Try to Take Off,"
A double "I" which means: "Need Medical Supplies,"
A "K" which means "Which Way Do I Go?"
An "L" which means: "Need Oil and Fuel,"
A double "L" which means: "All Well,"
A reverse "L" followed by a right-facing "L" which means: "Not Understood,"
A set of vertically placed right angles, which means: "Aircraft Damaged,"
An "N" which means: "No,"
A "SOS" which means: "Save Oh Save" or "Save Our Ship" (The International Distress Signal,)
A Triangle with a hollow center which means: "Landing May Be Possible,"
A "V" on top of another "V" which means: "Need Guns and Ammunition,"
A "W" which means: "Need an Engineer,"
An "X" which means: "Unable to Proceed,"
A "Y" which means: "Yes"
According to The Art of Shen Ku, you should make sure all air signal symbols are about 40 feet long and 10 feet apart if possible and always pick up symbols off the ground when you are rescued.
* Mylar (TM) sheeting placed over windows or sewn as backing or an inner layer for curtains or a window quilt can help both keep out the excessive heat of the Sun in Summer. Moreover, this same Mylar (TM) sheeting can retain heat from your home heating system in the Winter! Thus, the Mylar (TM) space blanket not only can save your life, but it can save you money all year long and can help make the life you save even more prosperous!
* Moreover, since Mylar (TM) is reflective, Mylar (TM) space blankets sewn into curtains or window quilts are sure to play Hell with laser audio surveillance devices, which read the way audio vibrations affect laser light and convert the light into sound for spies to hear and use against their intended target. Hence, Mylar (TM) space blankets can be a shield of privacy and liberty as well as a protector of life and prosperity.
* And, of course, for "the Pursuit of Happiness," Mylar (TM) makes an excellent material for Helium balloons. Moreover, a master of the art of origami could glue Mylar (TM) space blanket pieces onto paper, then fold the Mylar (TM)-coated paper into almost limitless shapes, figures, airplanes, and devices, including the "tin-foil hat" so often attributed to (and even worn with pride by) practitioners of Survivalism and Preparedness.
In summary, that wonderful by-product of the Space Age, the Mylar (TM) space blanket, is a tool whose peak of versatility probably remains unreached.
Note: Mylar (TM) the name and the product are the Trademark and intellectual property of Dupont Teijin Films, so always make sure to give proper attribution--and mad props--to the company for their great creation. For even more fascinating reading on the many uses of Mylar (TM), this article is highly recommended:
PET Film (biaxially oriented)--Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PET_film_(biaxially_oriented)
2 weeks ago
Posts
