High Tensile Strength Increases Multifunctional Use of Survival Blankets in Wilderness Emergencies

Isser, Markus; Kranebitter, Hannah; Fink, H.-P.; Wiedermann, Franz J.; Lederer, Wolfgang

doi:10.1016/j.wem.2019.12.012

Cited by 9 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Rescue blankets are low-weight and low-bulk medical devices; Category 1, according to Directive 93/42/EEC [22]. Rescue blankets are metallized foils that reflect electromagnetic waves; they are robust, watertight and windproof [8,10,11,23]. We investigated two different brands of rescue blanket commonly used by ground emergency medical services (EMS) and helicopter EMS in Tyrol, Austria.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For thermographic imaging, we used a radiometric thermal camera (DJI Zenmuse XT, Shenzhen, China; uncooled microbolometer, image resolution: 640 (H) × 512 (V); pixel pitch: 17 µm; lens model: 13 mm; digital zoom: 8×; sensitivity: <50 mK at f/1.0; accuracy of +10 • C; image optimization and digital detail enhancement; operating temperature: −10 to 40 • C at a relative humidity between 5% and 95%), mounted on a Zenmuse XT gimbal and remotely controlled [21,23]. The ability to spatially resolve detailed temperature measurements in a thermal image depends on pixel resolution, image focus, blur, and environmental conditions including distance, humidity, temperature, and atmospheric transmission [21].…”

Section: Thermographic Measurement Of Ir Radiation From Rescue Blanketsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to maintain at least a 10-pixel resolution in the thermal image, the distance between the camera and the object did not exceed 50 m in our study. To diminish reflection, we kept the view angle within 60 • of straight-on and oblique measurements [23].…”

Section: Thermographic Measurement Of Ir Radiation From Rescue Blanketsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rescue Blankets-Transmission and Reflectivity of Electromagnetic Radiation

Kranebitter¹,

Wallner

Klinger³

et al. 2020

Coatings

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Rescue blankets are medical devices made of a polyethylene terephthalate sheet coated with a thin aluminum layer. Blankets are used for protection against hypothermia in prehospital emergency medicine and outdoor sports, but totally different qualities are typical for these multi-functional tools. On the one hand, rescue sheets prevent hypothermia by reducing thermo-convection and diminishing heat loss from evaporation and thermal radiation. On the other hand, the sheets promote cooling by acting as a radiant barrier, by providing shade and even by increasing heat conduction when the sheet is in direct contact with the skin. As foils are watertight and windproof, they can function as vapor barriers and even as stopgap bivouac sacks. We evaluated three experimental studies, one on heat loss by rescue blankets according to surface color, one on transparency with ultraviolet radiation, high-energy visible light and visible light, and one on infrared radiation from rescue blankets. When evaluating the effects of different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum on rescue sheets, we focused on ultraviolet radiation (200–380 nm), high-energy visible light in the violet/blue band (380–450 nm), visible light (380–760 nm) and infrared radiation (7500–13,500 nm). Rescue sheets transmit between 1% and 8% of visible light and about 1% of ultraviolet B radiation (280–315 nm), providing sufficient transparency and adequate protection from snow blindness. Reflection of visible light increases detectability in search and rescue missions performed in good visibility conditions, while reflection of infrared radiation increases detectability in poor visibility conditions and provides protection against hypothermia.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Thermographic Measurement Of Ir Radiation From Rescue Blanketsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rescue Blankets-Transmission and Reflectivity of Electromagnetic Radiation

Kranebitter¹,

Wallner

Klinger³

et al. 2020

Coatings

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“…However the question of the most suitable material has not been collectors, and stopgap bivouac sacks. [5][6][7] In this experimental study we investigated the efficacy of makeshift and commercial seals applied to sucking chest wounds.…”

Section: The 2021 Guidelines Of the European Resuscitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rescue Blanket as a Provisional Seal for Penetrating Chest Wounds in a New Ex Vivo Porcine Model

Schachner

Isser

Haselbacher

et al. 2022

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

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BACKGROUND Open pneumothorax after a penetrating thorax trauma is a life-threatening disease with high mortality.An emergency application of a chest seal (CS) allowing the release of trapped air is the optimum initial therapy until surgical chest drainage is available.METHODS In a newly developed experimental porcine model of open pneumothorax, we tested 3 different materials regarding their applicability for acute treatment of sucking chest wounds in prehospital emergency care, namely a commonly used rescue blanket (RB), plastic foil from a gauze package (packing material), and a commercial CS. RESULTSAn ex vivo open pneumothorax model using a porcine chest wall and a vacuum-assisted drainage system was successfully established. RB segments sized 70 3 100 mm achieved significantly higher rates of successful sealing than plastic foils from a gauze package sized 100 3 100 mm when the devices were applied to the moistened chest wall and fixed on 3 sides (5/5 [100%] vs 0/5 [0%], respectively; P [ .002). Loosely fixed RBs efficiently released injected air (10/10 [100%]) and consequently sealed the wound in all cases (10/10).CONCLUSIONS RBs, applied wet, are appropriate CSs with good occlusive and adherence properties. Fixation on 2 sides of the dressing is sufficient to allow trapped air to exit while providing appropriate sealing of the chest wound. RBs were superior to plastic foils from a gauze package and were seen to function as a potent makeshift CS when no commercial CS is available.

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“…Blankets are composite materials and consist of a polyethylene terephthalate sheet coated with a thin aluminium layer with a surface colour of silver or gold on either side [3]. While the polyethylene terephthalate sheet provides high tear resistance [4] and diminishes heat loss from thermo-convection and evaporation, the aluminium layer protects against hypothermia by reflecting infrared (IR) radiation back to the body [5]. Manufacturers recommend turning the silver facing towards the source, e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rescue blankets hamper thermal imaging in search and rescue missions

Isser¹,

Kranebitter²,

Kofler³

et al. 2020

SN Appl. Sci.

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Thermal imaging for unmanned aerial vehicles is used to search for victims in poor visibility conditions. We used a gimbal-mounted camera for thermo-radiation measurements of body temperature from persons covered with rescue blankets in the hibernal wilderness setting. Long-wave infrared radiation in the spectral range between 7500 and 13,500 nm was evaluated. Parts of this research have previously been published in a review on electromagnetic radiation reflectivity of rescue blankets (https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/10/4/375/htm). Surface temperature measurement was diminished by clothing, namely by 72.6% for fleece, by 82.2% for an additional down jacket and by 92.3% for an additional all-weather jacket, as compared to forehead temperature. Furthermore, we detected that a single-layer rescue blanket is sufficient to render recognition of a body shape impossible. With three layers covering a clothed body infrared transmission was almost completely blocked. However, rescue blankets increase visibility for thermal cameras due to high gradients in temperature. Conspicuously low temperatures from objects of 1 to 2 m length may indicate reflections from rescue blanket surfaces in a cold environment. Ideally, rescue blankets should be removed from the body to increase the chance of being located when using thermal imaging to search for victims in search and rescue missions.

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High Tensile Strength Increases Multifunctional Use of Survival Blankets in Wilderness Emergencies

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

Rescue Blankets-Transmission and Reflectivity of Electromagnetic Radiation

Rescue Blankets-Transmission and Reflectivity of Electromagnetic Radiation

Rescue Blanket as a Provisional Seal for Penetrating Chest Wounds in a New Ex Vivo Porcine Model

Rescue blankets hamper thermal imaging in search and rescue missions

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