(This was originally posted on Facebook by Simon Kendrick, reproduced here where it may be less ephemeral. Thanks to Simon for worthwhile thoughts.)

It’s not that long ago that an Emergency Blanket because an essential part of any bushwalkers kit. This has been muddied to some extent by the appearance of the Emergency Bag.

I first came across Emergency Bags when reading British caving books. When caving in cold and wet caves cavers would very quickly loose body heat if they stopped for any length of time. This could be because a party member was injured or a group stopped moving while negotiating a particularly complex obstacle. At the time the procedure was to cut three holes in the foot of your Emergency Bag (one for each arm and one for the head), and pull it over your head to wear like a long dress. A tea-light candle was then then placed between the feet. Heat from the burning candle would then be trapped by the Emergency Bag and prevent Hypothermia. As I was both a caver and a bushwalker I started carrying both an Emergency Blanket and an Emergency Bag in my kit. It became a habit that has persisted. We now see events like the kMR Trail Run requiring Emergency Bags (rather than Emergency Blankets) as part of their compulsory kit, carried by all participants. Other Trail Running events still require an Emergency Blanket. Many purchased 1st Aid Kits are supplied with an Emergency Blanket.

Since I was benighted on the flanks of Pokana Peak, when a daywalk became a 7:00am to 11:00am, 28 hour mini-epic, I’ve pondered, one or the other? On this occasion I was carrying two Emergency Blankets and no Emergency Bag.

I don’t think there is a conclusive argument for one or the other, but maybe, a reasonable argument for carrying both. It seems to me that when a injured person has suspected spinal injuries, and shouldn’t be moved, or has a lower body injury that requires periodic checking or dressing, a blanket would be better suited. As an Emergency Bag would be more thermally efficient and better suited to windy conditions it would be best suited to situations where an injured person is still mobile, or where an otherwise fit/healthy bushwalker is forced to make an emergency bivy to sit out the night.

So I’ll continue to carry both a light weight Emergency Bag and light weight Emergency Blanket to suit individual situations. And, I’d encourage all bushwalkers to carry at least a light weight Emergency Blanket in with their Personal 1st Aid Kit. Plus, maybe consider adding a light weight Emergency Bag as well.

I should add, that if you are intending to use a bivy bag, rather than a tent on your trip, pack a proper Bivy Bag, not a light weight Emergency Bag.

Emergency Blankets and Emergency Bags are available from Mountain Creek, Paddy Pallin and Find Your Feet in Hobart. (I haven’t checked other Outdoor Retailers).

Emergency Blankets and Emergency Bags will typically weigh 50g to 120g each.