Rescue blanket

Rescue blanket

A rescue blanket is a foil with the dimensions 210 × 160 cm that is used in first aid to protect injured persons from hypothermia , moisture or wind. In Germany it is a mandatory component of the first- aid kit in motor vehicles according to DIN 13164, first-aid kits in companies according to DIN 13157 (small first-aid kit) and DIN 13169 (large first-aid kit)

construction

The simple version ( MPET ) is a metalized plastic film in accordance with DIN 13232

1. A 12 µm thin, tear-resistant, transparent and waterproof biaxially oriented polyester film (BiPET).
2. A highly reflective layer of aluminum is vapor-deposited onto the polyester film .

Biaxially oriented polyester film is inherently yellow-brown in color. With a one-sided steaming, a silver-colored (aluminum) and a gold-colored side are created. To understand the structure, the aluminum layer can be removed in a sodium carbonate solution. This makes the film yellow-brown transparent.

The metallic coating can also take place on both sides. Then both sides shimmer silver.

Another variant is that a second BiPET film covers the aluminum layer (PET-metal-PET). In this case, both sides shimmer gold. With this structure, the aluminum is protected from abrasion on both sides.

Use by first aiders

To keep the person warm by means of heat radiation, turn the silver side towards the person and wrap the person completely in the rescue blanket, so that only the face remains free. So that the rescue blanket can fulfill its function, it should not lie tightly. However, a rescue blanket does not have a heat insulating function, but warms by reflecting the body's thermal radiation . Compared to a cold floor, additional insulation is required. For this purpose, air cushions between the body and the environment can be created all around by clothing, blankets, foam or an air mattress. It is not insignificant that the rescue blanket encloses as tightly as possible by knotting and gluing and that it does not flutter too much. The gold-colored side of the foil can be seen better in ice and snow and is usually understood as a call for help.

When the outside temperature is high, it can sometimes be useful to protect a person from overheating by shielding them from solar radiation. In this case you should turn the silver-colored side outwards and stretch the rescue blanket like a sun protection sail, but do not wrap the person.

Manufacturers also state the following rule:

• Cold protection: silver side on the inside
• Sun protection: silver side on the outside

However, according to studies , the difference in infrared reflection (IR) is negligible and should only be able to cause a difference of 2 ° C, with the silver-colored side reflecting 99% and the gold-colored side 97% infrared heat radiation .

The effect of the rescue blanket is based on reducing the heat transport through

reflection

it largely stops the heat radiation

Airtight sealing

Reduces the heat exchange with wind flowing past and through open-pored clothing and convection caused by the temperature difference even when there is no wind (rising warm air)

Vapor barrier

reduces heat loss through evaporation (from sweat , moisture, blood ).

As a general rule, metallic, highly polished, smooth surfaces reflect heat radiation ( infrared ) particularly well. A thin layer of aluminum is used in rescue blankets .

Other uses

In model making, rescue blankets are used to cover wings. When camping, a cover allows tents and vehicles to be less heated by the sun. Even windows (vertical or in a sloping roof) can be provided with rescue blankets in midsummer in order to reduce the heating of the room. Stunt kites can be covered with the same material as the rescue blanket. In photography, rescue blankets are occasionally used to build reflectors to illuminate the scene.

A rescue blanket cannot be used as a fire blanket as it is easily flammable itself.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} Michael Buchfelder; Albert Buchfelder. First aid manual . Schattauer Verlag; 2006. ISBN 978-3-7945-2404-4 . Pages 181ff.
2. ↑ DIN 13164
3. ↑ DIN 13157
4. ↑ DIN 13169
5. ↑ BG ETEM trade association for energy, textiles, and electrical media products. Retrieved July 3, 2017 . 
6. ↑ DIN 13232 , 7.6 Consumables No. 13
7. ↑ Notes on the rescue film, University of Munich, Physics
8. ↑ Product insert Hans Hepp GmbH 04/05
9. ↑ Marc Hasenjäger: Effect of a rescue blanket . (No longer available online.) DLRG Ortsgruppe Burscheid eV, archived from the original on May 12, 2014 ; accessed on May 11, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  

Web links

• Scientific article on the side of the rescue blanket Research of the Tyrolean Mountain Rescue with the Innsbruck University Clinic for Anesthesia (English)
• Scientific article on tensile and tear strength Research by the Tyrolean Mountain Rescue Service with the Innsbruck University Clinic for Anesthesia
• Scientific article on UV protection Research of the Tyrolean Mountain Rescue with the Innsbruck University Clinic for Anesthesia

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !