Cold hands- Heat packs underwater?

[Orion DM]

I was wondering if anyone had any idea if it would be safe to use heat packs in glove liners under my scuba gloves. (I have cold hand problems in case you were wondering)

This is specifically what I am referring to:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...gId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=661608-405046

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...17&parent_category_rn=4501528&vcat=REI_SEARCH

It is possibly a doofus question but as I am not familiar with the chemical properties of heat packs I don't know if they react/explode etc... with salt water or exactly what would happen....... I wonder if I would still get heat or if it would all get sucked away by the water, I would imagine not as the water isn't flowing freely through my suit...... Anyway, just wondering if anyone had tried it - or thought about it.

 

[opiniongirl]

I was wondering if anyone had any idea if it would be safe to use heat packs in glove liners under my scuba gloves. (I have cold hand problems in case you were wondering)

This is specifically what I am referring to:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...gId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=661608-405046

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...17&parent_category_rn=4501528&vcat=REI_SEARCH

It is possibly a doofus question but as I am not familiar with the chemical properties of heat packs I don't know if they react/explode etc... with salt water or exactly what would happen....... I wonder if I would still get heat or if it would all get sucked away by the water, I would imagine not as the water isn't flowing freely through my suit...... Anyway, just wondering if anyone had tried it - or thought about it.

Not a doofus question!!

I have reynaud's disease, and my hands killed..

the problem with heat packs and wet gloves can be that you can't tell when the heat pack is too hot - and can possibly burn yourself.

Dry gloves (if you're in a drysuit) work wonders. If you're in a wetsuit, perhaps switch to mitts if you can stand the dexterity loss.

 

[Orion DM]

I am in a wetsuit. I thought about the mitts and am planning to try some but my hands are so cold that I don't think they will solve it entirely.

Cold hands :icescream - Hot dog hands :redhot: - cold hands - hot dog hands.... choices, choices....

Thanks for the answer

 

[opiniongirl]

A seattle girl!

You know what? Drysuit, girl!!!!

if your core is warmer, your circulation will work better...and never met a woman who regretted switching to a drysuit..

 

[MechDiver]

If you're diving the Sound and San Juans, you need a drysuit. And drygloves are easy after that and make a world of difference.

MD

 

[Soggy]

This is specifically what I am referring to:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...gId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=661608-405046

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...17&parent_category_rn=4501528&vcat=REI_SEARCH

If you are diving in a wetsuit, they won't work underwater, as they are O2 activated. If you are diving in a drysuit DO NOT USE THEM, as the high PPO2 will cause them to go into overdrive and you will likely end up with severe burns.

 

[Xanthro]

Soggy is right, those will not work underwater at all.

Cold hands is caused by poor circulation, your body restricts blood in order to save heat for the torso.

You can help by keeping your torso warm, and by increasing circulation to your hands.

I haven't tried this underwater, but there's an old hikers trick of putting ben-gay on your feet and hands. Those sore muscle lotions open up circulation.

I'd read about it to see if it would work underwater, and remember, I've never tried it underwater.

Xanthro