Journals / Akdeniz Tıp Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 12 Sayı: 1

Multifunctional use of Reflective Blankets and an Overview of Their Role in Hypothermia Prevention

Yansıtıcı Battaniyelerin Hipoterminin Önlenmesindeki Rolü ve Çok Fonksiyonlu Kullanımına Genel Bir Bakış

Ali Güzel(Bitlis Eren üniversitesi)0009-0004-5747-7130
Hatice Tetik Metin(BİTLİS EREN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-5659-7147
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-08-19
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The aim of this study is to examine the various applications of reflective blankets in different environmental conditions, in addition to their use as a passive insulation product for protection against hypothermia.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Reflective blankets are an important piece of equipment used to prevent hypothermia in emergencies such as accidents and earthquakes as well as during outdoor activities.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Reflective blankets were first used in space technology in the 1960s.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The aim of this study is to examine the various applications of reflective blankets in different environmental conditions, in addition to their use as a passive insulation product for protection against hypothermia.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Acil tıp · Hipotermi · Yansıtıcı battaniye

Abstract

Reflective blankets are an important piece of equipment used to prevent hypothermia in emergencies such as accidents and earthquakes as well as during outdoor activities. The main component of reflective blankets is polyethylene terephthalate, which is coated with an aluminium layer to impart reflective properties. These blankets are not an external heat source. They help maintain body temperature by reflecting heat radiated from the body back onto the body. They are easy to transport and store as they are very light and small in volume. They also prevent the passage of vapour and air. Reflective blankets were first used in space technology in the 1960s. In humans, on the other hand, they were initially used to prevent hypothermia in runners following marathon competitions. Today, these blankets are frequently used to prevent hypothermia in patients undergoing surgery and in emergency health services. In addition, it is reported that successful results have been achieved in emergency situations outside the hospital, particularly in stabilizing fractures and using as tourniquets to control active bleeding. Considering the different physical properties of reflective blankets can increase the scope of applicability in medical applications and outdoor conditions. Drawing attention to the different use potential of reflective blankets can create a scientific basis for their more effective and sustainable utilization. The aim of this study is to examine the various applications of reflective blankets in different environmental conditions, in addition to their use as a passive insulation product for protection against hypothermia.

Özet

Yansıtıcı battaniyeler, kaza veya deprem gibi acil durumlarda ve açık hava aktivitelerinde hipotermiyi önlemek için kullanılan önemli bir ekipmandır. Yansıtıcı battaniyelerin ana bileşeni bir polietilen tereftalattır ve alüminyum tabakası ile kaplanarak yansıtıcı özellikler kazandırılır. Bu battaniyeler harici ısı kaynağı değildir. Vücuttan dış ortama yayılan ısıyı tekrar vücuda geri yansıtarak vücut sıcaklığının korunmasına yardımcı olurlar. Oldukça hafif ve düşük hacimli oldukları için taşınması ve depolanması kolaydır. Ayrıca buhar ve hava geçişini engeller. Yansıtıcı battaniyeler ilk olarak 1960’lı yıllarda uzay teknolojisinde kullanıldı. İnsanlarda ise, ilk olarak maraton müsabakalarından sonra koşucularda hipotermiyi önlemek için kullanıldı. Günümüzde bu battaniyeler ameliyat olan hastalarda ve acil sağlık hizmetlerinde hipotermiyi önlemek için sıklıkla kullanılmaktadır. Ayrıca hastane dışındaki acil durumlarda, özellikle kırık ekstremitelerin sabitlenmesinde ve aktif kanamayı durdurmak için turnike olarak kullanıldığında başarılı sonuçlar elde edildiği bildirilmektedir. Yansıtıcı battaniyelerin farklı fiziksel özelliklerinin dikkate alınması, tıbbi uygulamalarda ve açık hava koşullarında uygulanabilirlik kapsamını artırabilir. Yansıtıcı battaniyelerin, farklı kullanım potansiyeline dikkat çekilmesi, daha etkin ve sürdürülebilir biçimde kullanılması için bilimsel bir zemin oluşturabilir. Bu çalışmada, yansıtıcı battaniyelerin hipotermiden korunmak için pasif yalıtım ürünü olarak kullanımının yanı sıra farklı çevre koşullarındaki çeşitli kullanım alanlarının da gözden geçirilmesi amaçlandı.

🔖

Cite This Article

Güzel, A., Metin, H. T. (2026). Multifunctional use of Reflective Blankets and an Overview of Their Role in Hypothermia Prevention. Akdeniz Tıp Dergisi, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 1. https://doi.org/10.53394/akd.1671682

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (33)

  1. Kranebitter H, Wallner B, Klinger A, Isser M, Wiedermann FJ, Lederer W. Rescue blan¬kets-transmission and reflectivity of electromag¬netic radiation. Coatings. 2020; 10(4):375-83.
  2. Wallner B, Salchner H, Isser M, Schachner T, Wiedermann FJ, Lederer W. Rescue blankets as multifunctional rescue equipment in alpine and wilderness emergencies a commentary. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2022; 30(1):17.
  3. Kosin´ski S, Podsiadło P, Darocha T, Pasquier M, Mendrala K, Sanak T, Zafren K. Prehospital use of ultrathin reflective foils. Wilderness Envi¬ron Med. 2022; 33(1):134-39.
  4. Hindsholm KB, Bredahl C, Herlevsen P, Kruhof¬fer PK. Reflective blankets used for reduction of heat loss during regional anaesthesia. Br J Anaesth. 1992; 68(5):531-33.
  5. Isser M, Kranebitter H, Kofler A, Groemer G, Wiedermann FJ, Lederer W. Rescue blankets hamper thermal imaging in search and rescue mis¬sions. SN Appl Sci. 2020; 2:1486.
  6. Isser M, Kranebitter H, Fink H, Wiedermann FJ, Lederer W. High tensile strength increases multi¬functional use of survival blankets in wilderness emergencies. Wilderness Environ Med. 2020; 31(2):215-19.
  7. Chadwick S, Gibson A. Hypothermia and the use of space blankets a literature review. Accid Emerg Nurs. 1997; 5(3):122-25.
  8. Palmer J, Soucier M, Deeds J. An innovative warming strategy to increase patient satisfaction. Nursing. 2019; 49(7):49-53.
  9. Bourke DL, Wurm H, Rosenberg M, Russell J. İn¬traoperative heat conservation using a reflective blanket. Anesthesiology. 1984; 60:151-54.
  10. Leung EM, Colorado Escobar M, Stiubianu GT, Jim SR, Vyatskikh AL, Feng Z, Garner N, Patel P, Naughton KL, Follador M, Karshalev E, Trexler MD, Gorodetsky AA. A dynamic thermoregula¬tory material inspired by squid skin. Nat Com¬mun. 2019; 10(1):1947.
  11. Bryan W. (2016). The space blanket Your ad¬venture companion. https//www.nasa.gov/cen¬ters-and-facilities/marshall/the-marshall-star-300/
  12. McCormack D. Insurgent envelopment: The emer¬gency blanket and scenes of exposure at border zones. Trans Inst Br Geogr. 2024; 49(4):e12680.
  13. Viennot L, Décamp N. Which side to put the sur¬vival blanket? Analysis and suggestions for activ¬ities with students. Published by the MUSE group (More Understanding with Simple Experiments) in the Physics Education Division (PED) of the European Physical Society (EPS) 2014; 1-14. Available online https//cdn.ymaws.com/www. eps.org/resource/collection/016775D4-8888- 474D-887F-3E33AEA5E6D0/EPSPED_Surviv¬alBlanket.pdf (Accessed on 14 September 2024).
  14. Renström B. Space or rescue blanket-a bluff? Arct Med Res. 1992; 51(4):212-13.
  15. Reynolds KA, Evanich JJ, Eberman LE. Reflec¬tive blankets do not effect cooling rates after run¬ning in hot, humid conditions. Int J Exerc Sci. 2015;8(1):97-103.
  16. Mert E, Psikuta A, Bueno MA, Rossi RM. Effect of heterogenous and homogenous air gaps on dry heat loss through the garment. Int J Biometeorol. 2015; 59(11):1701-10.
  17. Buggy D, Hughes N. Pre-emptive use of the space blanket reduces shivering after general anaesthesia. Br J Anaesth. 1994; 72(4):393-96.
  18. Tjoakarfa C, David V, Ko A, Hau R. Reflective blankets are as effective as forced air warmers in maintaining patient normothermia during hip and knee arthroplasty surgery. J Arthro¬plasty. 2017; 32(2):624-27.
  19. Bennett J, Ramachandra V, Webster J, Carli F. Prevention of hypothermia during hip surgery: ef¬fect of passive compared with active skin surface warming. Br J Anaesth. 1994; 73(2):180-83.
  20. Berti M, Casati A, Torri G, Aldegheri G, Lugani D, Fanelli G. Active warming, not passive heat retention, maintains normothermia during com¬bined epidural-general anesthesia for hip and knee arthroplasty. J Clin Anesth. 1997; 9(6):482-86.
  21. Bourke DL. Reflective blankets and intraopera¬tive heat conservation. J Clin Anesth. 1995; 7(8): 688.
  22. Hershey J, Valenciano C, Bookbinder M. Com¬parison of three rewarming methods in a postanesthesia care unit. AORN J. 1997; 65(3):597-601.
  23. Koenen M, Passey M, Rolfe M. ‘‘Keeping them warm’’-A randomized controlled trial of two pas¬sive perioperative warming methods. J Perianesth Nurs. 2017; 32(3):188-98.
  24. Koeter M, Leijtens B, Koeter S. Effect of ther¬mal reflective blanket placement on hypothermia in primary unilateral total hip or knee arthro¬plasty. J Perianesth Nurs. 2013; 28(6):347-52.
  25. Kurnat-Thoma EL, Roberts MM, Corcoran EB. Perioperative heat loss prevention-a feasibility trial. AORN J. 2016; 104(4):307-19.
  26. Sheng Y, Zavisca F, Schonlau E, Desmarattes R, Herron E, Cork R. The effect of preoperative re¬flective hats and jackets, and intraoperative reflec¬tive blankets on perioperative temperature. Internet J Anesthesiol. 2002; 6(2):1-6.
  27. Siew-Fong NG, Cheng-Sim OO, Khiam-Hong L, Poh-Yan L, Yiong-Huak C, Biauw-Chi O. A com¬parative study of three warming interventions to determine the most effective in maintaining perioperative normothermia. Anesth Analg. 2003; 96(1):171-76.
  28. Wallner B, Salchner H, Isser M, Schachner T, Wiedermann FJ, Lederer W. Rescue blankets as multifunctional rescue equipment in alpine and wilderness emergencies-A narrative review and clinical implications. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(19):12721.
  29. Isser M, Kranebitter H, Kühn E, Lederer W. High-energy visible light transparency and ultraviolet ray transmission of metallized rescue sheets. Sci Rep. 2019; 9(1):11208.
  30. Salchner H, Isser M, Banyai L, Schachner T, Wie¬dermann FJ, Lederer W. Arterial occlusion effec¬tiveness of space blanket-improvised tourniquets for the remote setting. Wilderness Environ Med. 2023; 34(3):269-76.
  31. Schachner T, Isser M, Haselbacher M, Schröck¬er P, Winkler M, Augustin F, Lederer W. Rescue blanket as a provisional seal for penetrating chest wounds in a new ex vivo porcine model. Ann Thorac Surg. 2022; 114(1):280-85.
  32. Ersen A, Atalar AC, Birisik F, Saglam Y, Demir¬han M. Comparison of simple arm sling and fig¬ure of eight clavicular bandage for midshaft cla¬vicular fractures: a randomised controlled study. Bone Joint J. 2015; 97-B(11):1562-65.
  33. Zideman DA, Singletary EM, Borra V, Cassan P, Cimpoesu CD, De Buck E, Djarv T, Handley AJ, Klaassen B, Meyran D, Oliver E, Poole K. Euro¬pean Resuscitation Council guidelines 2021: First aid. Resuscitation. 2021; 161:270-90.