While many of us have an emergency blanket in our survival kits, few of us know the full range of use of this versatile material. Nearly as reflective as a mirror and as light as a feather, there is no reason not to begin seeing this survival tool as more than just a last resort (that few people think will work). Look at the list below to add to your arsenal of survival knowledge.

1. A sleeping mat. Mylar blankets are waterproof. If you find yourself outdoors during an emergency or disaster scenario, place an emergency thermal mat on the ground to protect the body from the dampness of the ground overnight and retain heat until morning.
2. A backdrop for a campfire. Such a setup will reflect more heat towards you.
3. Starting a fire. How? By harnessing the reflective attributes of the Mylar. The blankets double as wind break during this process as well.
4. A makeshift oven. Place the oven directly facing the sun and put small and thin chunks of fish or meat onto the Mylar to cook.
5. Trail markers and a signaling mirror. The reflective nature of the material will help rescuers find you or permit you to retrace your steps back to camp after hunting or searching for water. Cut or tear the material into squares and secure in place with rocks or duct tape when used for trail marking purposes.
6. Fishing lure. Fish will have a hard time resisting the shiny Mylar when wrapped around a pebble or stick.
7. Emergency cordage. Mylar can be tied or braided together to do this.
8. Emergency arm slings and tourniquets. A thin strip of the material could be used when calling 911 is not an option.
9. To maximize the heat output. If the power goes out, place a Mylar blanket behind your wood stove, lanterns or candles – and you’ll have more heat.
10. To keep heat from escaping. The thin material is ideal for lining the insides of sleeping bags. The crinkling noise throughout the night might be a bit bothersome, but your body temperature will be far less likely to drop below safe levels.
11. As shelter. If a tent or a tarp are not available and there is no time to construct a shelter from found materials, try using Mylar blankets. The material can be duct taped to trees or branches used as posts.
12. In the garden. To prevent vegetable plants from shriveling during extremely hot weather, lay the thin material over the bed and secure it in place with a small rock. This will decrease a loss of moisture from evaporation. Birds loathe Mylar; it is too shiny and easily flutters.

Mylar is an incredible material that will keep you warm on the coldest of nights (provided you don't sweat too much and then freeze). Also, you can use it as a backdrop for a fire, as a lure for fish (my favorite new use for it) or just use it at home in the garden to scare away the birds and seal in moisture for the plants. It's very cheap to buy, as far as survival tools go, so there's no reason not to have a few on hand, just in case.

We owe this awesome new knowledge to Off The Grid News where you can check out more incredible ways to use Mylar blankets to your survival advantage.