Emergency blankets are very valuable tools for disaster kits that can save lives. During disasters people can suffer from accidental hypothermia which may be a life-threatening medical emergency. This situation may occur during flooding or winter storms. Low environmental temperature may cause hypothermia if someone is submersed in icy water or overexposed in heavy winter snows.
Hypothermia is a severe drop in body temperature that may drop as low as 90° F, the point at which the normal shivering reaction ceases. Emergency blankets will help to actively warm victims until emergency medical assistance can arrive. When a person is suffering from hypothermia, the pulse, respiration, and blood pressure are depressed. There are cases where a person suffering from hypothermia may appear to be dead. Revival may still be possible when appropriate treatment is received.
Accidental hypothermia can be treated by a slow and gradual rewarming of the victim. Emergency blankets are aluminized blankets that are made to retain 90 percent of body heat. It is possible that these blankets and other passive means of applying heat may help to revive a victim. The blankets may protect a person and prevent their condition from progressing to hypothermia.
Emergency Blankets May Help You
Aluminized blankets can be kept in emergency kits that are stored in your car. If you are ever trapped in a snow storm or in some other type of disaster that causes you to be cold, the blankets may prevent your condition from worsening. Minutes that you are waiting for help may seem like hours. It may take some time for disaster response crews to reach you. Having a means of staying warm can help to lessen the possibilities of you suffering from frostbite or hypothermia.
