The idea for the blanket was thought up 17 years ago

The guide was, said Blizzard Survival spokesman John Hutchinson, the "bible" of what to do to keep people alive.

Blizzard Survival Blankets are already used by the British and US military.

The company - who employ 10 people to produce the blanket, and other survival products - are set to expand.

The blanket was developed originally to be used to keep weather-bound mountaineers alive.

Company founder Derek Ryden, 50, had the idea for the blanket about 17 years ago.

Trauma victims need to be kept warm whatever the circumstances

As a keen mountaineer, he realised that outdoors people needed something more effective than plastic bivvy bags and lighter than conventional sleeping bags.

The blanket's inclusion in the Prehospital Trauma Life Support Military Version 6th edition produced by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, is considered a coup by the company who will now increase production at their Bethesda base.

"We've had one order for 10,000 and we are looking at doubling production with another machine," added Mr Hutchinson.

The guide was "a bible" he said for anyone working in a trauma team whether in a military or civilian capacity.

It showed that keeping a casualty warm was equally important whether someone had been knocked over by a bus or injured in battle.

In up to 66% of civilian trauma cases, according to the guide, people were suffering from hypothermia by the time they arrived at emergency centres.

The blankets were suitable for any other situations where keeping warm was a problem, Mr Hutchinson added, and the company had supplied blankets for use by people sleeping rough.

Blizzard Protection Systems was originally set six years ago.

Although it still operates independently it is now part of Performance Systems, a medical equipment company based in Houston, Texas.